Last year the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation turned 100 years old! On July 19 we celebrated this amazing milestone at the new Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge in the ABQ’s South Valley. It was the perfect spot for the celebration as our visionary founder, Aldo Leopold, made support of the National Wildlife Refuge system an important issue for the early AWF. The Refuge is adjacent to the Bosque and Aldo was also instrumental in getting the city to preserve the Bosque that we now so much cherish.
Through our 100th Birthday event, we formed a great partnership with Jennifer Owen-White, the Valle de Oro Refuge Manager. For our first volunteer project of 2015, we will assist in her efforts to transition the Refuge from an old dairy farm to a site for wetlands restoration. The State Land Office, who manages the Bosque adjacent to the Refuge, is also a partner in this project. More information, including sign-up info, is below.
At the bottom of this email is a list of all our 2015 Volunteer Restoration Projects, so you can mark you calendars now. It is quite the list! Also, check out our monthly programs on issues relevant to wildlife and conservation. They are on the second Thursday of the month at Friends Meeting House near downtown ABQ. Check outhttp://abq.nmwildlife.org/ for more information.
Michael Scialdone, “Scial”
Albuquerque Wildlife Federation
2015 Volunteer Restoration Project # 1
Day Project: March 7, 2015
Valle do Oro clean-up and bosque restoration
WHERE: Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge in ABQ’s South Valley
THE PROJECT: We will be doing clean-up of the entrance area to the Refuge off of 2nd St and restoration work in the Bosque on adjacent State Land.
GEAR: Bring the usual gear for the work – gloves, hat, long sleeves, long pants, sturdy boots, and sunscreen. Bring layers as it will likely start off cool and warm up towards lunch.
FOOD: We will get going around 9am, break for lunch, and then do some more work, so bring a lunch with you and plenty of water/fluids.
TO SIGN UP: Contact Michael Scialdone, “Scial”, at rioscial@gmail.com or 505-480-2906. Directions and further details will be sent to you once you sign up.
And for the rest of 2015:
APRIL 17 to 19 – Cebolla Canyon; El Malpais National Conservation Area SE of Grants, NM
MAY 15 to 17 – Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge; north of Las Vegas, NM
JUNE 19 to 21 – Midnight Meadows; Carson National Forest near Questa, NM; Partnership with Amigos Bravos
JULY 17 to 19 – Valles Caldera I; partnership with Los Amigos de Valles Caldera
AUGUST 14 to 16 – Valles Caldera II; partnership with Los Amigos de Valles Caldera
SEPTEMBER 11 to 13 – Limestone Canyon; Cibola National Forest, San Mateo Mountains SW of Magdalena, NM
OCTOBER 3 – Day project on Glorieta Mesa near Santa Fe
OCTOBER 17 – Day project with the Sandia Ranger District near ABQ
