Environment

Prescribed Burn Planned On Santa Fe National Forest Jemez Ranger District March 21 Through May 14

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE – Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest are planning to conduct the previously announced prescribed burn on the south end of the Paliza treatment area within the boundaries of the Southwest Jemez Mountains Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project on the Jemez Ranger District.

The window for the Paliza prescribed burn will open March 21 and extend through May 14, 2016. The decision to burn will be dependent on favorable conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality, weather forecasts and available resources.

The 5,409-acre Paliza treatment Read More

Eleven Bandelier Experts Take Over Nature Center

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Releasing a banded Chipping Sparrow. Photo by Sally King

BANDELIER News:

Bandelier National Monument is celebrating 100 years, but what will the next 100 look like? Bandelier’s rangers and scientists will be at the Los Alamos Nature Center 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 to answer questions and continue the celebration.

Throughout the evening, Bandelier’s experts will give mini-talks about the park’s ecology, astronomy, biology, backcountry trails, restoration efforts, and anthropology in the context of climate change. Explore the nature center and talk to Bandelier staff one-on-one at Read More

NMED Secretary To Discuss Revisions And Seek Input To LANL Consent Order

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NNMCAB News:
 
The Northern New Mexico Citizens’ Advisory Board (NNMCAB) is one of eight Site-Specific Advisory Boards established to involve local citizens in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) environmental
clean-up decision process at its nuclear facilities. Members of the public are encouraged to attend NNMCAB meetings and provide their unique perspective on environmental issues.
 
The NNMCAB will meet 1-5:15 p.m. March 30 at Sandia Resort, Ballroom A, 30 Rainbow Road in Albuquerque. At 1:45 p.m. New Mexico Environment Department Secretary Ryan Flynn, will discuss revisions
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LANL: Small Businesses Win Technical Support To Develop Clean Energy Technologies

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LANL News:

  • DOE’s Small Business Vouchers Pilot Provides Funds to Catalyze Innovation

Four small businesses will be working with Los Alamos National Laboratory to accelerate the nation’s transformation toward a clean energy economy as part of the Department of Energy’s Small Business Vouchers (SBV) pilot project.

These businesses will gain access to world-class laboratory resources to help move innovative ideas and technologies closer to the marketplace.

“Small businesses can be real catalysts for innovation and job creation,” said Melissa Fox, program director for Applied Energy Read More

LANL: Nature Study Reveals Rapid Ice-Wedge Loss Across Arctic

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LANL scientist Cathy Wilson measuring how soil properties change with depth at the DOE Next Generation Ecosystem Experiment, NGEE-Arctic, field site near Barrow, Alaska. Courtesy/LANL

Ice wedge polygons impound snowmelt runoff at the DOE Next Generation Ecosystem Experiment field site near Barrow, Alaska. Thousands of square miles in the Arctic are covered by an interconnected network of ponds in polygon-shaped formations. Recent research reveals rapid and widespread degradation and melting. Courtesy/LANL

LANL News:

  • Widespread permafrost phenomenon with major hydrological,
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Heinrich Cosponsors GMO Food Labeling Legislation

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Office Of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

“Providing transparency to consumers will ensure they are able to make informed decisions about the products they buy and feed their families.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is cosponsoring S.2621, the Biotechnology Food Labeling Uniformity Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to ensure that consumers can find genetically modified organism (GMO) ingredient labeling on food packaging, while ensuring that food producers are not subject to confusing or conflicting labeling requirements Read More

PEEC Amateur Naturalist: Climate Change And The Birds Of Northern New Mexico Pt. 1

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PEEC Amateur Naturalist
Part 1: Climate Change and the birds of northern New Mexico
By Robert Dryja
 
We have been exploring the data of the Christmas Bird Count. Los Alamos now has a snapshot of birds seen in December 2015 (See here.)
 
The Christmas Bird Count shows that a few bird species are commonly seen while other species are increasingly rare. Ten species of birds account for about two-thirds of all the birds seen in the Los Alamos area.
 
The other seventy one species compose the remaining one-third of the birds seen. CHART I show this pattern for the 81 species.
 
 
Read More

First Round Of Funding Unveiled To Commercialize Products Created Through Labs; Universities

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From The Office Of The Governor:

ALBUQUERQUE — This afternoon, Gov. Susana Martinez announced the first batch of funding to help develop and commercialize several innovative products that are the result of partnerships between researchers at New Mexico’s laboratories and universities, and the private sector.

The initiative is through the Technology Research Collaborative, which Martinez reestablished in 2013 and allows teams of researchers to compete for funding to bring their ideas and products into the marketplace.

“The technology we develop and create in our labs and universities Read More

District II Garden Club Meets March 23

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LASGC News:
 
The Summit Garden Club of Los Alamos is hosting the District II Annual Spring Meeting 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 23 at the United Church Graves Hall, 2525 Canyon Road.
 
The public and all garden club members are invited to attend.
 
Agenda:
 
Registration: 9-10:30 a.m. (breakfast of muffins, breads, drinks is provided)
 
Executive Board Meeting: 9:30-10:15 a.m.
 
General Meeting: 10:30 a.m. to noon
 
Lunch/Program: 12:15 – 2 p.m. (Please provide information on special dietary restrictions with your check/reservation.)
Read More