Archive for October 26, 2010

Wildlife West Seeks Volunteers for Wolf Roundup

by John Weckerle

Next Monday (November 1), Nieta, one of the Mexican gray wolves at Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood is scheduled to move to a new home at Wolf Haven International in Washington State, where she will go to live with some older males.  Because the habitat is large and Nieta is shy of human contact, numerous volunteers are needed to help herd Nieta into her transport carrier.  There will be a brief orientation for new volunteers prior to the roundup, which is currently scheduled to start at about 6:30 a.m.

From Wildlife West, Nieta will travel to Truth or Consequences, where she will be joined by another wolf from the El Paso Zoo.  Both wolves will be flown to Washington by LightHawk, an organization of volunteer pilots who have been “flying for the environment” for 31 years.  Volunteers who would like to assist in the roundup should contact Park founder Roger Alink at (505) 263-9453.

Mountainair Ranger District Press Release: Fall Prescribed Burning To Begin on the Mountainair Ranger District

Mountainair, NM – October 25, 2010: As fall colors come to an end and temperatures drop, it’s time for the Mountainair Ranger District to continue its prescribed burning program.  According to District Fire Management Officer, Mark Bernal, the district currently has two burns planned.

Currently there are 2 burns planned on the district.  The first burn is the East Thunderbird Prescribed Burn.  The East Thunderbird burn began last winter, but due to early winter precipitation was not completed.  The fall conditions have given us the opportunity to reenter the 190 acre area and attempt to complete the burn.

The burn will be in a forest area locally known as the Thunderbird area.  This area was thinned within the Thunderbird Ecosystem Management area, along both sides of Forest Road #275.  There are no set dates for the burn but district fire personnel will be watching weather patterns closely during the next few weeks to determine when it is safe and advantageous to conduct this burn.  The burn will be conducted only if and when weather patterns and available fire personnel are conducive to burning.

The second burn planned is the Barranco Prescribed Burn.  This burn is also within the Thunderbird Ecosystem Management area and is located South of Forest Road #275.  This burn will also be conducted as weather conditions and personnel allow.

If you have questions regarding the planned prescribed burn or any other Mountainair Ranger District questions, please call 505-847-2990 or email Adrian Padilla at adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us or Arlene Perea at atperea@fs.fed.us.