Leadership Los Alamos class members at Valles Caldera National Preserve for their recent. Environment Session. Photo Courtesy LLA
Valles Caldera National Preserve Park Superintendent Jorge Silva-Bañuelos addresses participants in this year’s Leadership Los Alamos class. Photo Courtesy LLA
LLA class participants gather at Valles Caldera National Preserve. Photo Courtesy LLA
BY JACK ALLISON
Leadership Los Alamos
Leadership Los Alamos recently held an Environmental Session for its 2024-25 class of participants at Valles Caldera National Preserve, enhancing their understanding of environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives in the region.
The session commenced with a welcome from Valles Caldera Chief of Interpretation, Education and Volunteers Dave Krueger, who introduced participants to the unique ecological and historical significance of the preserve.
After the welcome by Krueger, the class had a chance to take in the morning light and hear the elks pass through the meadow. They then took turns sharing their connection to Valles Caldera and set their intentions for the day as they geared up to learn about Valles Caldera and Los Alamos County environment.
The students were provided with insights into local environmental education efforts by Beth Sanchez, education program coordinator for the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC). Sanchez highlighted the center’s programs aimed at fostering environmental awareness and community engagement.
Paula Carolina Paciorek, sustainability lead for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), shared an overview of LANL’s Zero Net Initiative and the efforts of the Environmental Sustainability Team, emphasizing the laboratory’s commitment to sustainable practices and environmental responsibility.
Los Alamos County’s Environmental Services Manager Armando Gabaldon and Sustainability Manager Angelica Gurule, presented on the County’s sustainability program, and the Zero Waste Team, detailing the initiatives in place to promote sustainability at the community level.
Bret Grievenow from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Mission Excellence Program, provided students with a comprehensive look at N3B’s integrated work control and maintenance systems, underscoring the importance of effective environmental management in energy operations.
Lunch was provided by the Los Alamos Cooperative Market, followed by a presentation about the history of the Valles Caldera National Preserve by Park Superintendent Jorge Silva-Bañuelos.
The session concluded with a discussion on climate change and its role in watershed restoration by Volunteer Scientist Bob Parmenter. Silva-Bañuelos then guided the students on a walk to History Grove, allowing them to experience the natural beauty and historical context of the preserve firsthand.
This Environmental Session not only enriched the participants’ knowledge but also reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts in preserving and protecting the environment.
For more information about Leadership Los Alamos and future events, please visit leadershiplosalamos.com