More than 100 Los Alamos National Laboratory employees cleaned up litter in the surrounding communities to celebrate Earth Day this year. The event was part of the Lab’s annual Great Garbage Grab, during which employees removed plastic bottles, food containers and other trash from the area, alleviating problems it could pose for wildlife, waterways and the ecosystem. Employees filled 138 trash bags, with cleanups taking place outside the Lab’s Pacheco and Guadalupe office buildings in Santa Fe, near its facility in White Rock, and around other areas at the Laboratory.
Laboratory announces 2025 entrepreneurship fellowships
The New Mexico Lab-Embedded Entrepreneur Program (LEEP) has announced the fellows in its 2025 cohort. Now in its fourth year, the Laboratory program provides a two-year fellowship for entrepreneurs focusing on deep tech for national security. “Deep tech” refers to technological solutions to society’s biggest challenges, including new energy sources, space systems, next-generation materials and computing.
The 2025 LEEP Fellows cohort consists of:
- Luis Chavez of Axolo, an Albuquerque company developing a system for capturing waste methane from landfills and converting it into methanol, which is a clean-burning fuel.
- Kyle Guin of VastVision, an Albuquerque company developing an advanced inventory tracking system that can not only chronicle where products are stored, but incorporates sensors that survey the products’ shelf lives, emissions and battery life, and other information, in real time.
Employees learn about Assistance Dogs of the West
The Laboratory had some special four-legged guests May 29 as the nonprofit Assistance Dogs of the West paid a visit for an information event. Four staff members from ADW, along with three of their talented service dogs, joined more than 30 employees to outline ADW's valuable work in training service dogs that help individuals and work in facilities such as courthouses and hospitals. Attendees got to interact with the friendly canines while learning about volunteer opportunities. The Lab’s Community Partnerships Office hosts regular sessions for employees to learn more about selected regional nonprofits.
More Community Connections Stories
Community Connections Home
Laboratory volunteers distill data to build more effective New Mexico nonprofits
2026 Community Data Sprint empowers nonprofit advocacy, higher education and rural libraries
Bradbury Science Museum brings hands-on activities to rural students
Summer Science on Wheels fosters curiosity and scientific thinking
Laboratory employees provide school supplies for Northern New Mexico kids
Donations bought 2,000 backpacks filled with class essentials to elementary and middle school students across 16 districts
Other News - Sept. 2026
New Mexico patients win in 2026 blood drive competition between Los Alamos, Sandia national labs
For your calendar - Sept. 2026
Events for the next few weeks
Hands-on Summer Physics Camp inspires students, welcomes VIP guests
U.S. Sen. Heinrich joined Laboratory Director Mason to explore final projects