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Sevilleta NWR
Contact Leader(s): Jim (Sagebrush) Sells, 505-898-6345, j.sells@nmvfo.org; Bruce Wollens, b.wollens@nmvfo.org with any questions.
The Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge protects a large expanse of land north of Socorro encompassing a variety of terrain and habitats on both sides of the Rio Grande.
Sevilleta partners with UNM for scientific research, and this year NMVFO will be removing hardware from a past research study, working with Professor Pockman, Director of the UNM Sevilleta Field Station. We will be working with the refuge volunteer group, Amigos de la Sevilleta.
Description: On the eastern reaches of the refuge in pinon-juniper woodland in the north end of the Los Pinos mountains is located equipment for a rainfall manipulation study that now needs to be removed (see photo above). The work involves using rechargeable drill/drivers to dismantle the rainfall structures and remove the material from the site to vehicles at a nearby road so they can be hauled from the refuge.
What to bring: Volunteers must wear sturdy boots (preferred) or shoes (no sandals), long pants, eye protection, and work gloves. Long sleeve shirts are recommended. Bring a hat, sun protection, and other apparel appropriate for the predicted weather. Also bring a day pack with extra sunscreen, snacks and a pack lunch, a waterproof jacket if rain is possible, and at least a liter container of water.
If you have your own battery-operated driver, you are welcome to bring it– otherwise NMVFO and the Refuge will provide tools.
Directions: The Sevilleta Visitor Center is located 60 miles south of Albuquerque’s “Big I” on Interstate 25. Turn off at Exit 169 and make a sharp right at the first intersection. As shown on this map, the Visitor Center is about ¼ mile up this road. Please plan to arrive by 9AM.
Note: check email updates shortly before the project, in case the meeting location has changed.
Upon arrival volunteers will sign-in at the Visitor Center and then we will carpool to the work site.
Group Size: Up to 20
Difficulty: 
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project. On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.