25-Apr-2012
Registration Opens for New Mexico Fire and Water Town Hall
Event to Focus on Forest Fire Prevention and Water Quality
New Mexico’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (NM EPSCoR) will team with New Mexico First to convene a town hall that examines impacts of fires like last summer’s Las Conchas Fire in Northern New Mexico. The town hall will be held in Albuquerque, June 5-6.Water quality and forest fires are topics that have dominated the state throughout its history. The Los Conchas fire affected not only individual communities, but also the economic development, tourism, ecological systems, recreational interests, community health, and municipal water supply throughout the region.
Mary Jo Daniel, NM EPSCoR’s Associate Director, said, “This event will enable participants to explore the impact of wildfires on water quality in the region. Learning from this devastating fire can help protect our state’s valuable natural resources.”
Heather Balas, New Mexico First’s President and Executive Director, said, “This is a very significant event that will encourage participants to share future policies that can mitigate the impact of wildfires in watersheds throughout our state.”
Community members, business owners, advocates, researchers and educators, tribal members, public officials, government employees, and students are invited to attend, but seating is limited and early registration is highly recommended.
Individuals interested in attending the town hall should register by visiting www.nmfirst.org.
Dates: June 5-6, 2012
Times: Tuesday 9:30-5:00, Wednesday 8:30-3:30
Location: Hyatt Regency, Pavilion I-III, 330 Tijeras Avenue NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
Registration: Register by visiting www.nmfirst.org or for more information please call 505.241.4813
New Mexico First engages people in important issues facing their state or community. Established in 1986, the public policy organization offers unique town halls and forums that bring people together to develop recommendations for policymakers and the public. New Mexico First also produces nonpartisan reports on critical issues facing the state. These reports – on topics like water, education, and healthcare, the economy, and energy – are available at nmfirst.org.
NM EPSCoR is funded by the National Science Foundation to help build New Mexico's capacity to carry out science research on topics that are of importance to the state.