A New Mexico herpetologist has been recognized nationally for his dedication to wildlife conservation.

Charlie Painter was awarded with the Allison Haskell Award for Excellence in Herpetofaunal Conservation, or the conservation of species like frogs, salamanders and other amphibians.

Throughout his career, spanning 26 years, he has written more than 80 academic papers on the reptiles of the Southwest. He was also one author of the 1996 book, “Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico.”

Some species Painter has worked with government agencies to conserve include the Jemez Mountain Salamander, Sacramento Mountain salamander and the dunes sagebrush lizard.

From the east to west coast...Albuquerque is now the hometown for the 2013 American Girl winner.

American Girl is an 18-inch doll who portrays girls from ages 9-11 of various ethnicities from coast-to-coast. Every year since 1986, a young girl is chosen to represent American Girl. In 2001, the company started to create a doll, along with a book that tells the girl's story. The books are meant to inspire other girls of her age to peruse their talents.

This year's American Girl, Saige is from Albuquerque, N.M.

Got a green thumb or want to plant trees in the community? The city of Rio Rancho is seeking volunteers interested in receiving training to become a tree steward.

The city of Rio Rancho’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services department and its Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful Division are offering free training to 40 individuals interested in helping the city plant and take care of trees in public parks.

“This is an opportunity for residents to learn from experts and then apply that knowledge to assist the city to care for the valuable trees in our parks,” said Jay Hart, director of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.

The program will give participants the tools and training by professional and certified arborists in arboriculture. The training begins on Saturday, Oct. 20 with a workshop from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at UNM West Campus.