Our Land

Without Rights, NM’s Rivers Can Come Up Empty

10.14.22 –In New Mexico, rivers lack rights to their own waters, which mean that when…

Protecting Chaco Requires Commitment From ‘All Levels’

10.07.22 – For more than a decade, a coalition of indigenous and environmental groups, along…

An image of Erica Gies next to the cover over her new book "Water Always Wins."

Environmental Journalists newest book ‘Water Always Wins’

09.23.22- In her new book, “Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and…

High school science teacher, Sergio Torres, talks to Laura Paskus virtually through zoom.

New Mexico Science Teacher Receives Grant

09.23.22- Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus speaks with a high school science teacher from…

An orange sunset with a bird silhouette flying through the sky.

Heat Waves and Bird Deaths

9.2.2022 –Worldwide, heat waves are increasing in severity and frequency. University of New Mexico Professor…

Climate Change Impacts Hit Home for NMPBS

8.26.2022 – This summer, the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire destroyed hundreds of homes in northern…

A portrait of U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury in front of a New Mexico landscape background.

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury on Water & Climate

8.12.2022 – In late July, three water bills introduced by U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-NM,…

A portrait of Senator Martin Heinrich on top of a New Mexico landscape.

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich discusses Climate Legislation

8.12.2022 – Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-NM, talks about climate change legislation, as well as gun…

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Stay up to date with everything happening in New Mexico.

A woman in a black jacket smiling in front of a sunset.

Poetry As a Way To ‘Build Empathy’

12.1.23 – For New Mexico Poet Laureate Lauren Camp, poetry is a way to “build…

Listening to the Gila

10.27.23 – Rarely in the United States do we remember that rivers are living beings…

The Cost of Free Land

10.13.23 – At the turn of the 20th century, Rebecca Clarren’s ancestors fled antisemitism in…

An aerial view of a burned area in colorado.

Building Public Trust in the Forest Service

9.22.23 – In the third and final segment of their conversation, Our Land Senior Producer…

A group of people sitting around a table in an interview.

New Fire Protocols

9.22.23 – In the second of a three-part conversation, Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus…

2022’s Historic Fire Season

9.22.23 – This week on New Mexico in Focus, Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus…

An image of a river with mountains in the background.

NM’s Water Challenges Are ‘Significant’

9.8.23 – Our Land’s Laura Paskus spoke with New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission Director Hannah…

Is a Settlement on the Rio Grande Coming Soon?

8.4.23 – After the relatively wet years of the 1980s and ‘90s, New Mexico’s reservoirs…

A person is digging a hole in the ground.

New Mexico Journalists Detail Long-Lasting Dangers of Cluster Bombs

7.21.23 – In July, the Biden administration publicly announced its decision to send cluster bombs…

Two women sitting in chairs in front of a sunset.

Writing as Healing

6.16.23 – In Michelle Otero’s latest book, Vessels: A Memoir of Borders, she tackles a…

A view of a marshy area with mountains in the background.

Flooded with Life: Albuquerque’s Oxbow

6.9.23 – This spring, the Rio Grande is ripping along, flush with snowmelt and boosted…

A flooded river with trees and mountains in the background.

Irrigation, Infrastructure, and the Rio Grande Compact

6.2.23 –This June, flows on the Rio Grande through Albuquerque are almost 10 times what…

Lightening the Load for Future Generations

5.26.23 – Michelle Otero was the City of Albuquerque’s poet laureate from 2018 through 2020.…

A man in a uniform sitting in front of a sunset.

Balancing Act at Valles Caldera

5.19.23 – Our Land’s Laura Paskus sits down with Jorge Silva-Bañuelos, Superintendent of Valles Caldera…

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Approves Nuclear Waste License in NM

5.12.23 – This week, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a license for Holtec International…

A cloudy sky over a grassy field with mountains in the background.

Management Challenges at Valles Caldera National Preserve

5.12.23 – The Valles Caldera National Preserve in the Jemez Mountains is one of the…

Four people sitting at a table in front of a camera.

Climate Change and Politics

4.28.23 – This year was grim in the New Mexico Legislature for action on climate…

A scientist in outdoor clothing prepares a large telescope on grass.

Connecting with New Mexico’s Dark Skies

This segment re-aired Friday, April 21, 2023. September 10, 2021 – Although humans have added satellites,…

Additional Fire Resources

Resources mentioned during the show:

U.S. Forest Service’s National Prescribed Fire Resource Mobilization Strategy

U.S. Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy

U.S. Forest Service investigation of the Cerro Pelado Fire

FEMA’s Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office

Santa Fe National Forest

“The Federal Government Accidentally Burned Down Their Houses, Then Made It Hard to Come Home” By Patrick Lohman with Source NM for ProPublica

Southwest Jemez Mountains Collaborative Landscape Restoration

How to learn more about wildfires when they’re happening:

For fire locations and details about individual fires: InciWeb

New Mexico Fire Information: NM Fire Info & NM Fire Info on Facebook

National Interagency Fire Center – Fire News

If the fire is burning on U.S. Forest Service land, search the name of the forest to find updates. Many of the forests, such as the Santa Fe National Forest, also have active Facebook pages.

NOAA Fire Weather information and alerts (to see things like red flag warnings for your area)

Fire and Smoke Map

New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method (for determining if smoky conditions in your area are unhealthy)

How to learn more about protecting your home and community:

Community Wildfire Protection Plans in NM (includes guidelines and information on creating one, as well as links to plans for communities across the state)

Ready, Set, Go! Your Personal Wildland Fire Action Guide (New Mexico) (for information on protecting your home, being ready to evacuate, and making a personal wildfire plan for your home)

En sus Marcas, Listos, Fuera! Su Guia de Accion (Spanish)

Fire Adapted New Mexico Learning Network

NM State Foresty, Fire Prevention Programs

NM State Forestry: Protecting your home from wildfire

NM State Forestry: Creating Wildfire-Defensible Zones

Living with Fire: A Guide for the Homeowner (English)

Firewise USA: Residents Reducing Wildfire Risks (National Fire Protection Association)

State of New Mexico Prescribed Burn Certification Program

Past Our Land shows related to New Mexico wildfire:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX-Gj22wAC46YnLfxBPo5ek7CxXB4_eOE