Environment

SFNF Waives Fees On National Get Outdoors Day

by

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

by

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,
Read More

Zika Virus Hits New Mexico

by

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

by

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
Read More

PEEC Amateur Naturalist: Looking For Butterflies

by

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
Read More

PEEC: Summer Family Evenings – The Final Frontier

by

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
Read More

North Fire Temporary Closure Order Issued

by

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
Read More

Barbero Fire On Santa Fe National Forest

by

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
Read More

John Lyles Reveals His Explorations In NM’s Caves

by

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

by

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