EcoNewMexico.com

Are you wondering about the railroad construction stretching from downtown past La Bajada hill to the south? All that construction is a big clue that the New Mexico Rail Runner Express is coming to Santa Fe.

How do you use your National Forests? Are you a camper, hiker, equestrian, mountain biker, motorcyclist or an Off-road driver? Given that the National Forests aren't growing (in acreage) but the number of users is, there is some friction between different user groups. To address growing traffic in the woods, the US Forest Service is asking for your input on how our National Forests should be used in a new Travel Management Plan.

The Santa Fe National Forest released its

What: Taos Solar Music Festival
When: June 27th - 29th, 2008
Where: Kit Carson Memorial Park, Taos, NM

The 10th Annual Taos Solar Music Festival is a great chance to see some of the best live music under the Sun. The festival features national touring acts and local favorite musicians in the solar capital of Northern New Mexico. Put on your dancing shoes and sunscreen for three days of music, food, renewable energy demonstrations, environmental and wildlife protection groups, green builders, solar and wind technicians and installers, and more!

Musical Acts

What: Bike To Work Week
When: May 12 - 16, 2008
Where: Nationwide

If you're looking for a way to save money on gas this year, here's a way to get unlimited miles per gallon. Instead of a gas-guzzling car, truck or SUV, try driving a bicycle to work for a week. The League of American Bicyclists is sponsoring their annual Bike to Work Week and Bike to work Day from May 12 through 16 this year. Check out the Bike Month Special Events to see what events may be happening near you.

What: Sustainability Week and GreenBuilt Tour New Mexico
When: May 10 - 18, 2008
Where: Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos, NM

I've been reading about Green Building and scores of new ideas and technologies being developed. With so many possible building designs and techniques the choices can be overwhelming. I think it's time to check out some green homes and buildings to see what works and what doesn't. Just in time for Spring home improvement and house hunting season here comes Sustainability Week and the New Mexico GreenBuilt Tour.

Just thought I'd take a moment to appreciate San Antonio mountain on this Earth Day 2008. If you ever driven on U.S. 285 in northern New Mexico or southern Colorado you've seen San Antonio. It's the freestanding remnants of an ancient volcano standing in the middle of a vast grassland. San Antonio mountain is maintained as a Wilderness Study Area and is home to many species, including a large herd of elk through the winter.

What: Stream Team Santa Fe River Tree Planting Day
When: Saturday, April 5, 2008, 10am-3pm
Where: On the Santa Fe River near Santa Fe, NM

On Saturday, April 5th join with WildEarth Guardians' members, supporters and volunteers to become a Stream Team Activist by gathering pledges and planting trees for each pledge. These trees become restored streamside habitat for wildlife such as endangered Southwest Willow Flycatchers and beavers.

Why Do Rivers Need to Be Restored?

Schott Solar Inc. has broken ground for a new solar power manufacturing plant on Mesa del Sol (appropriately enough) in Albuquerque, NM. Schott Solar will produce both Photovoltaic (PV) panels and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) receivers at the Albuquerque plant. The CSP receivers will be suitable for solar power plants of up to 50 Megawatts, while the PV panels can be used in installations of any size. The first CSP receivers should come off the manufacturing line in March 2009, to be followed by photovoltaic panels in April 2009.

Opponents of oil and gas drilling in Santa Fe county can breathe a sigh of relief. A press release from the Santa Fe County Board of Commissioners dated February 26, 2008 states:

'The Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners has passed an emergency interim development ordinance that temporarily suspends the processing and granting of applications for permits to drill for oil and natural gas within the Galisteo Basin until February 28, 2009. The ordinance also empowers the Board to extend the prohibition for an additional 6 months, if necessary.'

What: Public Meeting to Review Sustainable Santa Fe Plan
Where: Southside Library Community Room, 6599 Jaguar Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505
When: Saturday, February 16th, 2008, 12 Noon to 4 p.m.