We strive for a mix of informative, educational, and entertaining topics each year including talks focused on enhancing our knowledge of like-minded organizations to help accomplish our mission of supporting the Forest Service. The FOSM board of directors was presented with a list of 32 such organizations in January 2022 and each member asked to choose four she or he would like to hear about at future membership meetings. The results of the weighted-choice poll are shown here. The top six organizations from this poll were:
- La Madera Volunteer Fire Department
- NM Volunteers for the Outdoors
- Forest Service Southwest Coordination Center — Dispatch
- Bernalillo County Open Space
- City of Albuquerque Open Space
- Albuquerque Mountain Rescue Council
Speakers for 2022 were and future years will be recruited using this information as a guide.
April 5, 2022 General Membership Meeting
Speakers: Crystal Powell, District Ranger; Julie Padilla, SRD Recreation Staff Officer
Program: “Sandia Ranger District 2022 Outlook”
Links to presentations (PDF files):
May 3, 2022 General Membership Meeting
TITLE OF PROGRAM – “New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors (NMVFO)”
BRIEF ABSTRACT OF PRESENTATION – New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors (NMVFO) is an inclusive all-volunteer, action-oriented, non-political nonprofit organization that promotes involvement and education of the public in the maintenance, improvement, and stewardship of New Mexico’s public lands. NMVFO specializes in constructing and improving trails and other outdoor facilities to increase outdoor recreation opportunities in New Mexico, as well as enhancing wildlife habitat and protecting the environment. The presentation will cover NMVFO’s history, what agencies and organizations we work with, training opportunities, examples of previous projects, and projects planned for 2022. Established in 1982, we are celebrating our 40th Anniversary.
BRIEF BIO – Ed DiBello discovered the Rocky Mountains while attending college in Colorado. Based on that experience; to live, work, and play in the Rocky Mountain west became a career goal. He has been a member and volunteer with New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors since 2007. He served on the Board from 2016 through 2020. He was Vice Chairperson in 2017 and Chairperson from 2018 through 2019. He is also an alumni member of the Sandia Peak Ski Patrol. Ed is a retired engineer and former Air Force pilot. His hobbies include hiking and downhill and cross country skiing. He enjoys working on New Mexico trails as both a worker and project leader.
Links to presentations (PDF files):
June 7, 2022 General Membership Meeting
TITLE OF PROGRAM – “Geology of the Sandia Mountains”
BRIEF ABSTRACT OF PRESENTATION –Albuquerque’s Mountains, the Sandia Mountains, are very special. They are not part of the Rocky Mountains. Geologically, they formed in a completely different way and much more recently than did the Rockies. And they have some very interesting geological stories to tell once we begin to “read the record” in their rocks and their landscape. This presentation will discuss the formation of our mountains, their rocks, fossils, and mineral wealth, and why the view from Albuquerque and the East Mountains is so different.
BRIEF BIO – Jayne Aubele is a geologist and senior educator for the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. She has worked as a field geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey mapping the geology in the southwestern U.S. and for NASA remotely exploring the geology of Mars, Venus, and the Moon.
Her extensive publications include scientific papers and geologic maps, curricula/materials for teachers of all grade levels, and chapters in books including Volcanoes of North America, The Geology of Mars, and the Field Guide to the Sandia Mountains. She has taught earth science and space science to K through graduate students, K-12 teachers, and the adult public. She was an invited author for entries on “Comparative Planetology” and “Earth” (McMillan Encyclopedia) and for a publication about “Geoscience in Natural History Museums in the 21st Century.” She was technical advisor and on-air geologist for the PBS program, “The Sandias.”
Prior to coming to the Museum she worked as a research scientist at Brown University, working with both U.S. and Russian planetary missions to Venus, and was a Program Manager for NASA’s Statewide Space Grant Program. She is Past-Chair of the GSA Planetary Geology Division, Past-President of the New Mexico Academy of Science and a Fellow of the Geological Society of America.
Links:
July 5, 2022 Membership Meeting
TITLE OF PROGRAM – “La Madera Volunteer Fire Department”
BRIEF ABSTRACT OF PRESENTATION – In 1998, the developer of the San Pedro Creek Estates subdivision donated 5 acres of land to Sandoval County for the La Madera Fire Station. Under the supervision of the County Fire Marshall, several residents of the La Madera area began the process of becoming volunteer firefighters. Today, we are a full-service Fire Department providing nationally certified EMS, Structural and Wildland fire protection for 44 square miles in the far southeast corner of Sandoval County, as well as mutual aid assistance to the neighboring counties of Bernalillo and Santa Fe.
With a relatively low call volume, the district remains a totally volunteer force for a community that is exclusively rural residential, surrounded on three sides by public lands and private ranchlands. This places the district squarely in the Wildland Urban Interface and our training and experience tend to reflect that. After EMS, our primary community threat is wildland fire, so the focus is on preplanning, defensible space, and fuels reduction around the individual residences in the district.
As a volunteer organization drawing upon the community for our manning and support, public relations are a prime concern. In this we are indeed fortunate for the contributions of our Tecolote Auxiliary. Due to their diligent efforts, we are one of the best equipped fire districts in the county.
BRIEF BIO – Jerry Carroll was born and raised in the far north woods of Ashland, Wisconsin. He graduated from Wisconsin State University – Superior in 1973 with a BS in Geology and a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force. After serving 12 years on active duty worldwide and 11 more with the Michigan Air National Guard, Jerry retired from military aviation in 1997 as a Lt Colonel and F-16 pilot. He began a second career in commercial aviation with American Airlines in 1985, retiring a second time in 2011 as a Boeing 737 Captain.
For the last 24 years, Jerry has been involved in his third career as a volunteer firefighter and Captain with the Sandoval County Fire Department. He is an IFSAC certified Structural Firefighter II and a nationally certified Wildland Firefighter/Engine Boss.
Jerry is a member of Holy Child Parish in Tijeras where he participates on the School Consultative Council, the parish Financial Advisory Board, and as a catechist in adult continuing education. Additionally, he actively assists his Homeowners Association by building and maintaining community trails with their Trails and Nature Area Committee.
Links to presentations (PDF files):
August 2, 2022 Membership Meeting
TITLE OF PROGRAM – “Albuquerque Interagency Dispatch Center”
BRIEF ABSTRACT OF PRESENTATION – Albuquerque Interagency Dispatch Center is the primary dispatch center for all wildland fire within the Albuquerque Zone. The dispatch center covers roughly 14.5 million acres which stretches from the Cibola National Grasslands in Oklahoma to the Arizona border. Some of the responsibilities of the center aside from wildfire are: mobilization of resources both locally and nationally for wildfire efforts, monitor weather and daily observations, mobilize and track all fire aviation.
BRIEF BIO – Elliott Herrera has been working in Wildfire since 2013, starting out on Hotshot Crews before moving into dispatch. He has been the Albuquerque Interagency Dispatch Center Manager for 2 seasons. Prior to wildland fire, he was in the Navy for 8 years. His hobbies include fly fishing, painting, drawing and tying flies.
September 6, 2022 Membership Meeting
TITLE OF PROGRAM – “Increasing Outdoor Access: City of Albuquerque Neighborhood Open Space Initiative Year 1 Review”
BRIEF ABSTRACT OF PRESENTATION – Research supports that regular time outdoors helps children thrive. However, on average, today’s kids spend up to 44 hours per week in front of a screen, and less than 10 minutes a day playing outdoors. And for too many kids, access to nature is determined by race, income, and zip code. With little time for nature exploration, children miss out on critical opportunities for social, physical, and cognitive growth. Inequitable access to the outdoors is not limited to youth, and an abundance of research demonstrates the inequality of physical and mental health outcomes based on access level to the outdoors.
The City of Albuquerque Open Space Division has completed its first year of programming aimed at increasing and supporting equitable access to public lands for all members of our community. The Neighborhood Open Space Initiative is a diverse and scaffolded slate of programs working to dismantle systemic barriers through innovative programming rooted in community partnerships and locally based.
Join us to learn more about this ground-breaking City program and participate in a discussion about how FOSM might partner in this important work with us.
BRIEF BIO – Jessica Sapunar-Jursich, Education Supervisor for the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division, is passionate about connecting people of all ages to the joy and benefits of time spent in nature. She has implemented nature-based programming for infants and parents, families, youth, and adults on public lands in New Mexico for over twenty years. A mother of two, she earned her Bachelor’s in Natural Resources Management from UNM in 1999, Masters in Environmental Education from UNM in 2001, graduate program in Curriculum and Instructional Leadership and K-8 Elementary Teaching License with endorsements in science and social studies from College of Santa Fe in 2004. Academics aside, nothing makes her happier than exploring in nature with childlike enthusiasm and curiosity and sharing that excitement with others.
October 4, 2022 Membership Meeting
TITLE OF PROGRAM – “Election of FOSM Officers and Other Members of Board of Directors and Review of 2022”
BRIEF ABSTRACT OF PRESENTATION – Mike Madden presented the results of the fiscal year (FY) 2023 election for approval by the membership. FY2022 accomplishments were compared to our strategic plan along with plans for FY2023.
BRIEF BIO – As well as FOSM President, Mike is currently management chair of the Sandia Collaborative, chair of San Pedro Overlook HOA Design Review Committee, and co-founder of East Mountain Regional Trails Council. He also serves on the boards of NMVFO and Turquoise Trail Regional Alliance. When away from his desk, he walks dogs at Animal Humane, reads pre-Columbian history, and loves to backpack. For 6 months during COVID restrictions, he laid-out and led resident volunteers to build 3.5 miles of HOA Open Space trails in his subdivision.