A Conservation Program News Today

Fire scientists are combining traditional methods with artificial intelligence to fight fires in Montana, and across the Southwest using a new tool which also draws on local landowner expertise. Fire science experts have used natural fire breaks -- roads, bridges and land masses -- as ways to slow fires for a long time. Now, they are adding AI to the mix. ...

Free buses may soon become a basic city service in Albuquerque. A vote to make a pilot "Zero Fares" rider program permanent is set to come before the City Council. Tammy Fiebelkorn, a city councilor, said the program has had benefits for all transit riders, but especially transit-dependent riders, youth, seniors, essential workers, families and people with disabilities. ...

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality wants to know what people think the states next Environmental Policy Act should include. Critics claim the state is using the public input process as a stall tactic to avoid implementing important environmental rules now. The DEQs move is a response to a judges high-profile decision earlier this year supporting young climate activists who claimed Montanas fossil-fuels policy violates their constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment. ...

A film festival created to help close the gap in storytelling for people of color is offering free, virtual showings as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Through Friday, the Hispanic Access Foundation is hosting the third annual "Our Heritage, Our Planet Film Week" to honor the storytelling traditions of Latino, Black, Indigenous and other people of color. A Conservation Program Associate with the Foundations, Brenda Gallegos, said the festival allows BIPOC communities to co...