The Conservation Beat

The Xeriscape Council of New Mexico holds its annual Water Conservation Conference and Expo starting Thursday.  This year, the event is dedicated to a man who worked for decades to transform Albuquerque into a more water conscious place.  KUNM's Conservation Beat reporter Sidsel Overgaard has this remembrance.

More information about the Xeriscape Council's Conference and Expo.

A push to reintroduce endangered wolves to an area just south of the US border is off to a rocky start.  KUNM’s Conservation Beat reporter Sidsel Overgaard explains.

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A recent analysis by the New Mexico Recycling Coalition shows that access to recycling has nearly doubled in the last four years.  KUNM’s Sidsel Overgaard has more.

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The Bernalillo County Commission is holding a series of public meetings, including one tonight, on a proposal to require inspection of aging septic systems.

the aquifer, revealed! on our blog: earth air waves

Environmentalists appear to have won a round in continued sparring over New Mexico’s so-called pit rule.  KUNM’s Sidsel Overgaard reports.

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For the first time, a New Mexico county is putting to the test a state law passed in 2001…and federal authorities are responding with a lawsuit.  KUNM’s Conservation Beat reporter Sidsel Overgaard explains.

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Under the President’s budget proposal a controversial $6 billion dollar nuclear lab at Los Alamos has been put on hold for at least five years.  KUNM’s Conservation Beat reporter Sidsel Overgaard has more.

Under a new permit issued by the Environmental l Protection Agency, Albuquerque has six months to improve its plan for dealing with storm water runoff.  KUNM’s Conservation Beat reporter Sidsel Overgaard has more.

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A new report by House Democrats finds lax and inconsistent federal oversight of oil and natural gas drilling on public lands.  KUNM’s Conservation Beat reporter, Sidsel Overgaard has more.

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About a hundred people packed into a Socorro courtroom this morning for a hearing on a case that both sides say could affect the future of water law in New Mexico.  KUNM’s Conservation Beat reporter Sidsel Overgaard has more.

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The group WildEarth Guardians is suing wildlife managers over a decision they say has led to the death and injury of Mexican gray wolves.  KUNM’s Conservation Beat reporter Sidsel Overgaard has more.

A hearing on Tuesday in Socorro will determine whether a proposal to pump billions of gallons of water from the San Austin Plains is allowed to move forward.

There’s been a deadly disease making its way West for the last five years.  It’s victims--bats.  Millions of them.  Scientists say White Nose Syndrome could even lead to the extinction of some species.  The disease has not been detected in New Mexico, but is so virulent that last year officials closed all the caves at El Malpais National Monument to prevent its potential spread. 

It’s been about a year since the caves at El Malpais National Monument were closed over concerns about a disease spreading among bats.  But as KUNM’s Conservation Beat reporter Sidsel Overgaard reports, new information has officials starting to think about reopening some of them.

There may not be any ground hogs around to help New Mexicans celebrate February second.  But there are prairie dogs.  And a report out today says the state should be doing more to protect them.  KUNM's Sidsel Overgaard explains.

On Thursday UNM will host a talk by guest speaker Thomas Linzey.  Linzey, who works with the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, is becoming known across the country for helping individual communities ban environmentally-damaging practices on a local level.

With all the time devoted to bringing up math and reading scores in elementary schools these days, we often hear how other subjects- like art and music- are losing out.  But given the signs pointing to a high-tech future, it may be more surprising to learn about another area getting left in the dust…science.  KUNM’s Sidsel Overgaard reports.

Did NM miss an opportunity to turn things around?  Check out our blog @ earth air waves for more.

New Mexico’s largest electric utility is moving forward on the installation of new pollution controls at one of its coal-fired power plants…even while continuing to fight the requirement in court.  KUNM’s Sidsel Overgaard reports.

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A poll released today shows bi-partisan support for conservation throughout the West.  KUNM’s Conservation Beat reporter Sidsel Overgaard has more.

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An environmental coalition is detailing its position in a case challenging the state’s rollback of energy efficient building codes.

A group of ranchers and Rio Arriba County are suing the U.S. Forest Service over its decision to limit grazing on historic land grant areas in northern New Mexico.  KUNM’S Sidsel Overgaard has more.

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In a new report, the Wilderness Society describes US public lands as “under siege” by Congress.  A slew of bills would open millions of acres to new roads and development, while curtailing the President’s ability to establish new national monuments.

Wed. 01/18 8a: Looking for new solutions to meet New Mexico’s water needs. This week on the KUNM Call-in Show we’ll talk about whether the use of low-quality water—including sewage—could help decrease the burden on our over-taxed water supply.  If scientists could assure you that water reclaimed from your drains was pure enough to drink…would you grab a glass and swallow it down? 

This week on the KUNM Call-In Show, we’ll have a discussion about how the use of low-quality water - including treated sewage - could help New Mexico meet its water needs.  But residential conservation will also play a huge role in securing our water future.

During her State of the State address, Governor Susana Martinez devoted about a minute to environmental issues, saying she believes the state can support the growth of business AND protect the environment.

A new report by the National Research Council says the US could save 12 billion gallons of water a year by recycling its wastewater.  KUNM’s Conservation Beat reporter Sidsel Overgaard reports on some efforts already underway in New Mexico.

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Once the legislative session starts next week, hundreds of students will descend on the Roundhouse in support of a measure known as the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights.

The New Mexico legislative session begins next week and KUNM’s Conservation Beat reporter, Sidsel Overgaard, has been tracking some of the environment-related measures on the table. 

In a world where kids are spending more time in front of the TV and less time outside, a coalition of New Mexico educators and environmentalists have started work on a plan that they hope will help turn the tide. 

Every year around this time, New Mexico birders have the opportunity to take part in a nationwide ritual known as the Christmas Bird Count.   Organized by The Audubon Society, it’s the longest running citizen-science survey in the world.  The survey goes on for weeks, with birders covering different parts of the state each day.  This morning, dozens of people pulled on their warmest boots to catalog birds in the Sandia Mountains.  KUNM’s Conservation Beat reporter, Sidsel Overgaard, tagged along with one group and has this story.

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