NMVFO plans 20+ volunteer work projects each year. Click here for a printable overview of the 2024 project season, and check back often for additional information posted as it becomes available. To receive updates and detailed information about upcoming projects and events, be sure to sign up for the NMVFO newsletter on the Home page. Public land agencies that are interested in proposing a project should contact our Projects Team (projects@nmvfo.org) for more information and our easy-to-complete project proposal form.
If you’re new to NMVFO, be sure to visit our FAQ page to learn more about what to expect on a project. Project leaders are always happy to answer your questions about specific projects. Have a non-project related question? Send us a message from our Contact page. Pets are not allowed on any NMVFO projects. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or other legal guardian
- This event has passed.
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge
April 1, 2017 @ 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Contact Leader(s): Chris Fritzsche, 505-504-3768, fritzsche.christopher@gmail.com; Chris Fritzsche, 505-504-3768, fritzsche.christopher@gmail.comChris Fritzsche, 505-504-3768, fritzsche.christopher@gmail.com with any questions.
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge (VODNWR), the Southwest’s first urban refuge will serve as an urban oasis for both wildlife and people on 570 acres of a former dairy farm just five miles south of downtown Albuquerque on the Rio Grande. The refuge has little infrastructure and the beginnings of a trail system for us to maintain, therefore we’re a big part of whatever it will become! This year we’ll be expanding and improving what exists while laying the foundation for the future.
There has been a change in scope: this year we’ll be assisting the refuge with native species restoration by planting several hundred Cottonwood saplings in the bosque area along the Rio Grande (click here for proposed planting area). We won’t be the only volunteer group in attendance; we’ll be accompanied by 30-40 volunteers from the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation, 40 or so volunteers from Wild Earth Guardians, a troop of Boy Scouts and I would expect a few folks from the Friends of Valle De Oro.
We intend to rendezvous with Jennifer Owen-White, the Refuge Manager, around 8:30 AM on Saturday, April 1st and begin work around 9:00 AM; we anticipate ending around 2:00 PM. Volunteers should wear long pants, long sleeves, sturdy boots (absolutely no sandals or tennis/athletic shoes), work gloves; helmets and eye protection are highly recommended. Also, bring sun and rain protection (just in case), plenty of drinking water and snacks. Lunch will be provided by the Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge (http://friendsofvalledeoro.wildapricot.org/). Registration for this project is required for planning purposes; please sign up through the project leader (info below) no later than 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 29th.
I-25 exit for Rio Bravo, proceed west to 2nd Street, then left (south) on 2nd Street. When the road turns do not follow it – continue on the straight, older road. VDONWR is located at 7851 2nd Street SW, look for the black mail box on right hand side of the road.
If this is your first NMVFO project, you can find more information about what to expect at https://nmvfo.org/volunteer/volunteer-faq or email or call me (Chris), the project leaders, fritzsche.christopher@gmail.com, (505) 504-3768 or Erin, (406) 781-1666 & John, (505) 999-9182 Salinas, egaberla@gmail.com.