Environment - Los Alamos Daily Post

Summer Family Evenings At Los Alamos Nature Center – Rattlesnake Museum

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 8, 2016

Visit the Los Alamos Nature Center on June 15 to learn more about rattlesnakes. Photo by Bob Myers

PEEC News:

Living in New Mexico means sharing the outdoors with many different kinds of reptiles.

To help explain how humans can cohabitate with our scaly neighbors, join Bob Myers, Director of the International Rattlesnake Museum, at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday June 15, at the Los Alamos Nature Center. He will bring snakes from the museum and be available to share his knowledge. This event is part of Pajarito Environmental Education

Growing Trend Of Abandoned Campfires Alarms Officials

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 8, 2016

Fifty campfires have been left unattended or abandodned since Memorial day weekend on the Santa Fe National Forest. Courtesy photo

SFNF News:

Fire managers are alarmed by the growing trend of campfires abandoned on the Santa Fe National Forest.

Fifty campfires have been left either unattended or abandoned on the Santa Fe National Forest from Memorial Day weekend to present.

There also have been three human caused fires due to abandoned campfires. Fire crews quickly extinguished the flames from these abandoned campfires, however if the conditions had been drier, those fires could Read More

Chicken Little And The Sitting Ducks: On The Question Of Planetary Defense

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 7, 2016

In 2014, the spectacular Comet Ison grazed the sun and disappeared. Courtesy/Hubble Space Telescope

By ROGER SNODGRASS

LOS ALAMOS DAILY POST

Glen Wurden, LANL plasma physicist, has conceived an insurance policy for planetary defense. Courtesy/LANL

Glen Wurden, a plasma physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. has an idea about how the world could end: he thinks there is agood chance it maybe more with a bang, than a whimper.

Also an amateur astronomer, Wurdenis especially focused onasteroids and comets, random missiles whizzing around the solar system and occasionally colliding Read More

Documented Safety Analysis Implemented And Cold Operations Begin

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 6, 2016

WIPP News:

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) has reached a major milestone that cleared the way for the start of Cold Operations at the facility.

Implementation of the Documented Safety Analysis (DSA) revision 5, which defines the safety parameters under which WIPP operates, was declared complete May 29, following several weeks of intense work by the federal and contractor workforce.

Cold Operations, the phase of WIPP’s restart that involves conducting facility operations with simulated waste containers, got underway June 1, beginning an eight-week Read More

How The Hen House Turns: Living Peacefully With Others

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 6, 2016

By Carolyn A. (Cary) Neeper, Ph. D

Longtime Los Alamos Resident

Now residing in California

As a metaphor for our relationship with animals, the Hen House is Turning, in significant in several ways. We housed and loved many animals in our 46 years in Los Alamos. They added more than one dimension to our lives.

We humans have been both friends and users of our fellow creatures over many thousands of years. Domestication has been a mixed blessing for some, like silk worms, and a remarkable partnership for others—the dog and its genetic modification from wolves, through kindness and eye-contact, being Read More

Unattended Campfires Pose Unnecessary Risks

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 4, 2016

SFNF News:

SANTA FE ― A rash of unattended and abandoned campfires on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest over the long Memorial Day weekend could have caused a major headache for fire crews already overseeing a human-caused fire on Rowe Mesa.

Fortunately, none of the 25 identified campfires sparked or spread before they were discovered and extinguished. But as the New Mexico fire season gets underway, it’s important to remember that unattended campfires are the leading human cause of wildfire.

Visitors to national forests

Nine Women Receive C3E Awards

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 4, 2016

C3E News:

STANFORD, Calif. ― At the fifth annual Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) Women in Clean Energy Symposium today, nine distinguished women across multiple disciplines will be honored for outstanding leadership and accomplishments in clean energy.

The Symposium is being held at Stanford University and is hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI), and Stanford University Precourt Institute for Energy.

Dr. Sarah Kurtz, a Research Fellow with the National Center for Photovoltaics and a Principal Scientist

Plant Sale At Master Gardeners Garden Fair June 11

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 4, 2016

Perennial mound. Photo by Bob Walker

LAMG News:

Starting a garden, need more plants, can’t resist another plant, looking for a good bargain – all good reasons to attend the Los Alamos Master Gardeners’ Demonstration Garden Fair 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 11 on Central Avenue (across the street from Mesa Public Library).

More than 400 plants for your landscape and vegetable gardens, as well as plants for your home, all grown by Los Alamos Master Gardeners, will be for sale.

In addition to the Plant Sale, three

‘A Climate For Change’ With Cynthia Scharf Monday

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 4, 2016

Senior Officer Cynthia Scharf

UN News:

Cynthia Scharf, senior officer and speechwriter to the United Nations Secretary-General on climate change and sustainable energy is presenting the lecture, “A Climate for Change: What the Paris Agreement Means for Us, for our Children, and the Future of Climate Action”.

Scharf’s talk is 7-9 p.m. Monday, June 6, at United Church of Santa Fe (corner of St. Michael’s Drive and Arroyo Chamiso) at 1804 Arroyo Chamiso Road.

This lecture is free and open to the public. Read More

Daily Postcard: Purple Lilacs Bloom In White Rock

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 3, 2016

Daily Postcard: Purple lilacs bloom in White Rock. Photo by Chris Clark/ladailypost.com

Daily Postcard: Purple lilacs bloom in White Rock. Photo by Chris Clark/ladailypost.com Read More

SFNF Waives Fees On National Get Outdoors Day

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 3, 2016

SFNF News:

SANTA FE – The Santa Fe National Forest will waive fees at many recreation sites and amenities, June 11, for National Get Outdoors Day, a day when federal agencies, nonprofit organizations and the recreation industry encourage healthy, outdoor activities.

June 11 also offers the public the opportunity to join volunteers on the Santa Fe National Forest as they continue work, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on erosion control and re-routing a portion of the Winsor Trail above Pacheco Canyon Road. For additional information, contact Española District Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Sublett Read More

Community Invited To ‘A Starry Night In Seville’ July 2

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 3, 2016

Los Alamos Nature Center. Photo by Patrick Coulie

PEEC News:

The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) Board of Directors, staff and friends invite community members to join them for “A Starry Night in Seville” 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 2 at the Los Alamos Nature Center.

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich is PEEC’s honored guest as a “Champion of Nature” for his work in transferring the Valles Caldera to the National Park Service. Also during the evening, local “Champions of Nature,” Becky Shankland,

Zika Virus Hits New Mexico

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 3, 2016

Aedes aegypti in Tanzania. Photo by Muhammad Mahdi Karim/www.micro2macro.net

Staff Report:

The New Mexico Department of Health announced Wednesday a second confirmed case of the Zika virus in the state.

The first case was discovered in March in a 46-year-old Bernallilo County man who was infected while traveling in Central America. The second case, announced Wednesday, involves a 40-year-old Bernalillo County woman who aquired the virus while traveling to the Caribbean.

Zika virus disease has been in the news for several weeks now and has many individuals concerned. Zika Read More

DOE Releases Draft RFP For Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 2, 2016

DOE News:

CINCINNATI ― The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract (LLCC) acquisition.

A contract that primarily includes cost-plus-award-fee contract line items for the purpose of continuing the legacy cleanup mission is anticipated. The Draft RFP provides for full and open competition, and the Draft RFP includes requirements for meaningful work to be performed by small business concerns. The total estimated value of the contract is approximately $1.7B over the prospective ten-year

PEEC Amateur Naturalist: Looking For Butterflies

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 2, 2016

PEEC Amateur Naturalist

By ROBERT DRYJA

Looking for Butterflies

Dorothy Hoard is known for several books that she wrote about the out-of-doors of Los Alamos. She also began an annual summer butterfly count in 1993. It has continued annually ever since, well nearly.

A forest fire or summer thunderstorm occasionally has prevented a survey. (The following charts have gaps for some years as a result.) The surveys have been conducted at the Burnt Mesa, Valley Canyon and Camp May areas. The data therefore is for areas of increasing elevation. These

PEEC: Summer Family Evenings – The Final Frontier

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 2, 2016

The bright side of the moon, visible at the Los Alamos Nature Center at its first Summer Family Evening program Wednesday, June 8. Courtesy photo

PEEC News:

The community is invited to observe the moon and nearby planets through telescopes at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8 at the Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Road.

This fun evening also will include activities, conversations with local astronomers, and exploring the virtual galaxy in the planetarium. Summer Family Evenings would not be possible without the generous support of Del Norte

North Fire Temporary Closure Order Issued

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 1, 2016

SFNF News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― To ensure both public and firefighter safety, a temporary Closure Order has been issued in the vicinity of the North Fire.

All National Forest System lands, roads and trails within the area are closed to public use.

The closed areas include:

Trail 92, Trail 91, Trail 36, Trail 37, Trail 37A, Trail 38; and
Forest Road (FR) 330, FR 378, FR 138, FR 138A, FR 56, FR 52.

The following are exempt from this closure order:

Fire fighters assigned to the North Fire;
Local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers in the performance of an official

Barbero Fire On Santa Fe National Forest

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 1, 2016

SFNF News:

Location:

Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest
On Rowe Mesa about 12 miles southeast of Pecos

Start Date: Reported May 26, 2016

Size: Approximately 146 acres at 8 a.m.

Percent Contained: 50%

Growth Potential: Minimal

Cause: Human, under investigation

Vegetation: Pinon-juniper, ponderosa pine, heavy slash from thinning

Summary: The fire appears to be human caused and started during the night. Crews

John Lyles Reveals His Explorations In NM’s Caves

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 1, 2016

John Lyles explores the unknown in Earth’s inner recesses. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

Learn about the seventh-longest explored cave in the world during a talk by John Lyles at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 7 at the Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Road.

Lyles will discuss the underground wilderness of Lechuguilla Cave at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. His talk will reveal discoveries in Snowy River passage and Fort Stanton Cave, their exquisite natural resources, and 140 miles of subterranean adventure. This is a free talk organized by the Pajarito Environmental Education Center.

Lyles is an Read More

Concern Mounts For Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on May 31, 2016

New York’s Indian Point nuclear power plant. Courtesy/commons.wikimedia.org

SECURITY News:

Located 26 miles from New York City, in the right weather conditions a radiation release at Indian Point nuclear power plant could reach Times Square in as little as 90 minutes, making evacuation of New York City impossible and rendering the area uninhabitable for a long time.

Critics of the agiing plant say that the disappearance and disintegration of more than 1 in 4 critical bolts holding the Indian Point nuclear reactor cooling system together is far more serious than owner, Entergy, admits. Read More

LOS ALAMOS

ladailypost.com website support locally by OviNuppi Systems