A recent wildfire that swept across ten thousand acres of farm and ranchlands in southeastern Colorado suggests that sustainable land management and biodiversity could be key factors for successful recovery. Dallas May and his family have worked the high plains lands just east of Lamar for three generations. He said fires caused by lightning strikes are not unusual, but they can usually be controlled. .
New Mexico is using some of its surplus budget funds, primarily from oil and gas revenues, to establish the state s first-ever source of recurring funding for conservation efforts. Known as the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, it consists of two $50 million reserves - one to fund existing state programs and another permanent fund managed by the State Investment Council. Jonathan Hayden, senior policy analyst with Western Resource Advocates, said the funds with allow better stewardship as the state grapples with what s ahead from changing weather patterns "through things like watershed protection, forest restoration, thinning projects, community-resilience projects - all of which will help insulate communities from the worst effects of a dryer and hotter climate." Monies from the Legacy Fund will also go to outdoor recreation and infrastructure, agriculture and working lands, historic preservation and wildlife protection. .
April is Earth Month, and for many climate scientists and advocates across the world, it s a time to raise environmental awareness. In Arizona, a group called Science Moms wants families to know about new rebates and tax credits available to them through landmark federal clean energy laws. Joellen Russell, professor of geosciences at the University of Arizona and co-founder of Science Moms, said many are still not aware of the tools at their disposal or the reasons why they should make the switch to cleaner energy. .
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced an 18-month delay in permitting a controversial oil-tunnel construction project under the Great Lakes. Federal engineers said they need the extra time to study the massive volume of public comments submitted about the project. .