Not Your Typical Refuge

Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge is the first urban wildlife refuge in the Southwest. Built from the ground up through a grassroots community effort, the nonprofit Friends group is also award-winning and one-of-a-kind.

Due to COVID-19, all Valle de Oro NWR and Friends Events have been postponed through at least April 2020. This decision may extend to events past April 2020.  Please view our "Things to Do" list above for an up to date list of upcoming events.  

Click the image to download and print our full 2020 Calendar of Events which list all events happening at Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge and in the community lead by both the Refuge and the Friends of Valle de Oro NWR!

All Events are Family Friendly, Open to the General Public and Free unless otherwise noted.

Most of our events are outside, so please prepare accordingly.

Donate to the Friends of Valle de Oro NWR
Donations will greatly help during this time! 

Check out the Friends new program...
The ABQ Backyard Refuge Program

Our work reaches far beyond Refuge property lines deep into the community. The Refuge hosts over 6,000 students, offers over 100 paid jobs to youth through partnerships, and organizes more than 21 community events annually.

This location-based game app at Valle de Oro will allow you to see more wildlife, have fun learning about our refuge’s unique flora and fauna, and post your sightings for others to see!

We have big plans to restore the 570-acre Refuge into a lush high desert landscape. Our plans are informed directly by what our community needs. Learn about our vision, plans, and progress.