🌱 Earth Day Activities + ABQ Discontinues Downtown Historical Tours

Hello all. It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Albuquerque Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 76 Low: 50.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Albuquerque today:

1. Earth Day, celebrated annually on Apr. 22, is considered the birth of the modern environmental movement, and there are many activities near Albuquerque to help celebrate. The National Wildlife Federation is sponsoring local cleanup efforts, including a hike and cleanup of the Caja del Rio in Santa Fe to address issues such as trash, appliances, and furniture dumped in the area over the years. Additionally, St. John's College in Santa Fe is hosting a range of Earth Day-themed events, including hikes, activities, and tours focused on sustainability and environmental appreciation. (Albuquerque Journal)
2. The University of New Mexico (UNM) is offering a new certificate program, the Cannabis Compliance and Risk Management Certificate Program, in response to the growing cannabis industry in the state. In partnership with Green Flower, the six-month online program is designed for professionals involved in the cannabis business, including consultants, attorneys, accountants, and business owners, to gain essential skills in compliance, regulations, and business operations. The program covers various aspects of the cannabis industry, including agriculture, distribution, retail operations, marketing, and accounting, and is open to anyone, not just UNM students, with classes starting on May 1. (KRQE News 13)
3. The Albuquerque Historical Society has decided to discontinue its free downtown tours due to safety concerns for its guides. The tours, originally intended as a way to give back to the community, have faced issues with the city's homeless population, including incidents of vomit, urine, and defecation on the streets. Despite offers of assistance and solutions from multiple city departments, including increased police presence and resources, the Historical Society feels that the proposed solutions are reactive rather than proactive, and have chosen to suspend the tours indefinitely. (KOB 4)

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Today in Albuquerque:

• Free Community Yoga Class At Johnny Tapia Community Center At Wells Park (5:00 PM)
• Clay Science At The Museum for Adults At New Mexico Museum Of Natural History And Science (9:30 AM)

From my notebook:

• The Heritage Farm at the Botanic Gardens is now closed as crews work on renovations. The projected price of those updates is in the millions. Plans include adding and expanding the animal barns upgrading the fields and improving walking paths and parking lot. The city also wants to add a new electric train to transport passengers around a one-mile loop in 15 minutes. The city said the renovations should be done in about a year. The project will cost $12.2 million. (KRQE News 13)
• For single mom Jennifer Bunyard, her home on Grace Street holds many family memories. The place she once saw her daughter take her first steps is now unlivable after catching fire earlier this month. Jennifer’s sister, Stephanie, got out of the home just in time — but realized she didn’t see her three dogs by her side. She ran back in to save them and got all three dogs out, but that decision put her in the hospital with permanent lung damage. To donate to her GoFundMe, click here. (KOB 4)
• The Board of Education recently approved a plan to consolidate La Luz and MacArthur elementary schools next year. La Luz students will move to MacArthur Elementary beginning in August of 2023, and PreK classes at La Luz and MacArthur will move to Duranes Elementary. Additionally, several boundary changes were approved to facilitate the reconfiguration of Corrales Elementary into a smaller K-8 school and the conversion of Janet Kahn into a pure K-8 magnet school. (Albuquerque Public Schools via Instagram)

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.