Beginning Aug. 25, a new exhibit at the Bradbury Science Museum gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at work happening across Los Alamos National Laboratory to protect the surrounding environment. An opening reception Aug. 25, 4-6 p.m., includes remarks, plus light refreshments and traditional foods courtesy of San Ildefonso Pueblo, who co-curated a portion of the exhibition.
The event is free and open to the public.
The Lab’s Environmental Protection and Compliance division and the museum’s exhibits team worked together for over a year, building the new exhibit for the local community and visitors from around the world. The goal was to take museum guests straight to Lab land, rather than simply describe it.
“This exhibit is immersive. It puts visitors right where the work is being done,” said Patrick Moore, museum director. “The majority of our visitors will never set foot on Laboratory land, so we wanted to bring that experience to them. Transparency matters to us, and this is one more way we can show the community the work being done.”
Inside look on managing a diverse landscape
The Lab spans nearly 40 square miles, ranging from high elevation pine forest and juniper grasslands to steep rocky canyons that meet the Rio Grande. Almost 80% of that land is undeveloped. Across the landscape, Lab scientists use research and extensive monitoring to manage historical environmental impacts and limit the effects of current operations.
“The landscapes here are stunning, and the ecosystems found in northern New Mexico are unique,” said Nell Larson, exhibit organizer and program manager of the Environmental Protection and Compliance division. “An amazing interdisciplinary team ensures that we keep these places safe and healthy as we carry out our critical national security mission. Many of those experts contributed to this exhibit — including biologists, meteorologists and archaeologists — to share their perspective on this work and give visitors an up-close look at how it’s done.”
Alongside the exhibit, a video wall displays the ever-changing natural scenery found on Lab land, providing a peak “behind the fence.” Set against this backdrop, museum visitors can explore features of the natural environment and learn how scientists work to ensure clean air and water, monitor cultural sites and support healthy ecosystems now and into the future.
Through a partnership with Pueblo de San Ildefonso, the exhibit highlights the community’s culture, history and relationship with the area and with the Laboratory through videos featuring community members as well as a collection of cultural objects.
The exhibit was designed to be interactive and place-based, so guests can try their hand at dating cultural artifacts, simulating Los Alamos wind patterns or building their own healthy forest as they explore the exhibit.
The Bradbury Science Museum is a part of Los Alamos National Laboratory and is located at 1450 Central Avenue in downtown Los Alamos. The museum is free and open to the public. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sundays 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
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