• National Weather Service focus group meeting May 30 in Tijeras
  

  The National Weather Service is conducting a study of how the public obtains and uses fire weather information. NWS - Albuquerque is one of six offices in the nation chosen to participate.

  The Albuquerque East Mountain and Ruidoso areas in New Mexico will host focus group meetings conducted by Eastern Research Group next week. Residents in these regions can provide critical perspectives about how members of the public actually use wildfire, prescribed burn, and fire weather information, and what information is needed for planning.

  EMIFPA and the East Mountain (Public) Library are assisting with arrangements for the East Mountains session. The Tijeras meeting will be held in the Library's Community Room, Tuesday, May 30, 6:00 – 8:00 PM. 

  EMIFPA strongly encourages East Mountain residents to participate in this opportunity to directly address and influence those who generate and provide critical wildfire-related information.

  Please consider joining the Tijeras focus group meeting. You can sign-up, using this google invitation link below:

  https://drive.google.com/open?id=1uTl3F9SgwDc7wM4rvmOZGdkocXGcxNvE0UrzruesSXM

  For more information, contact Tom Stuart, (505) 286-2218, email: 337@nym.hush.com

• New native plants educational resource published
  

  The Institute for Applied Ecology has published a new curriculum for educating students in grades 9-12 about native (and non-native) plants in New Mexico. 

  This native plant curriculum is structured on the ecoregions of New Mexico and covers botany, community ecology, ethnobotany, invasives - so much! The New Mexico Native Plant Society supported this resource, "From Ponderosa to Prickly Pear: Exploring the Native Plants of New Mexico", and you can download the document here.
  
  
• Ciudad SWCD Chairman receives Award of Excellence in Environmental Education! 
  

  
  J. Steven Glass, Chairman and long-time Board Supervisor for Ciudad SWCD, was named a recipient of the Environmental Education Association of New Mexico's 2016 Dr. Richard W. Becker Award of Excellence in Environmental Education.  The announcement was made on November 11th, 2016 at the EEANM Environmental Literacy Summit.  This award recognizes and honors annually an outstanding individual in the field of environmental education or service learning in New Mexico.  This award reflects Dr. Becker's commitment and passion to conservation, education and service learning, and acknowledges Steve's deep commitment to those ideals as well as the impact of his work in environmental education.  Congratulations and thank you Steve for all of your hard work!
          

• Request for Proposals - East Mountain Forest Health Qualified Contractors
  

  
  The Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District (Ciudad SWCD) requests sealed proposals from qualified firms and/or individual contractors for forest health and fuels reduction programs in its East Mountain areas of Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties.
  

  
  Ciudad SWCD plans to enter into a services contract/agreement with the successful Contractor(s) as a result of this request.  Ciudad reserves the right to award a contract to multiple contractors in its best interest.  Copies of the Request for Proposals may be obtained from Jennifer Moss, District Coordinator Ciudad SWCD, 6200 Jefferson NE, Room 125, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109; (505) 510-3478; CiudadSWCD1944@gmail.com or www.ciudadswcd.org.
  

  
  The Contractor’s response to this Request for Proposals must be received at the above address no later than 4:30 p.m., October 14, 2016.  Any proposal received after the deadline will be deemed to be late and will not be accepted for consideration for award.  Ciudad SWCD will endeavor to make the contract award(s) by October 31, 2016.
  

  
  The schedule of work to be performed under this agreement will be established by Ciudad SWCD.  Term will commence upon signature of a services contract/agreement and completion of required training.  Term of contract is subject to availability of program funding. All work is on a will-call basis.
  

  
  The Procurement Code, NMSA 1978 13-1-28 through 13-1-199, imposes civil and criminal penalties for its violation.  In addition, the New Mexico criminal statutes impose felony penalties for illegal bribes, gratuities and kickbacks.
  
  

• American Red Cross announces a fire preparedness for smart phones      

        The Wildfire App gives you important information in the palm of your hand:

• Preloaded content gives users instant access to information on what to do before, during and after wildfires – even without mobile connectivity 
• The latest updates from local, state and federal fire agencies in the “Wildfire News” section
• Red Cross emergency shelter locator for when you need help
• One-touch “I’m Safe” button that instantly posts a message to your social networks, notifying friends and family that you’re out of harm’s way, and more.

        You may download the app by visiting their website:
        http://american.redcross.org/site/MessageViewer?dlv_id=23594&em_id=20131.0      

• EPA releases Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool
  
  EPA has announced the release of their Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool (WMOST v1) for public distribution.  Here is the link to the theoretical background documentation: http://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_report.cfm?dirEntryId=261780
  
  and to the user's guide with case studies (and the tool itself): http://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_report.cfm?dirEntryId=262280
  
  WMOST provides communities with the ability to assess the utility of green infrastructure practices as part of a larger Integrated Water Resources Management strategy.