Friends of Valle De Oro

[FULL] How to Draw a Duck Workshop
2023-02-24 06:00 - 08:00 (America/Denver) | NM
Learn from a local artist how to draw a duck for the annual Junior Duck Stamp Contest. Open to kindergarten through 12th grade.
Registration required. Contact brittany_chavarria@fws.gov.

Tile Making & Story Collection
2023-02-18 04:00 - 07:00 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States
Join our partners at ALMA for a tile making workshop to go towards this summer’s new mosaic sculptures. We are also inviting neighbors and friends of the Refuge to tell their stories about this land to be incorporated into the sculpture designs.

Mural Loop Interpretive Walk
2023-02-18 03:00 - 04:30, 2023-01-15 03:00 - 04:30 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States
Join Refuge Ranger Dakota for an easy 1-mile guided walk along our Mural Loop trail with presentations on the refuge’s history and our plans for environmental restoration. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and learn what makes an urban wildlife refuge special.
Program meets at 10 AM by the visitor center amphitheater and will return to the visitor center by 11:30 AM.

Star Party with TAAS
2023-02-17 12:00 - 14:00 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States
Join us for an evening of telescopes and stargazing with The Albuquerque Astronomical Society!

Conservation Careers Fair
2023-02-11 04:00 - 06:00 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States
If you’re looking for a job or just interested in the possibility of a career in conversation, come talk to professionals from a variety of local organizations at the Visitor Center.

Annual Member Meeting
2023-02-04 03:00 - 05:00 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States
Save the date for our Annual Member Meeting!
Join us as we review 2022 and look forward to 2023! Expect presentations about how the Refuge will evolve in the next year and how you can get involved. We will also announce the 2022 photo contest winners.
Before the Annual Meeting from 8am-10am, members of the Friends are invited to join us on a special bird walk with Laurel Ladwig, the ABQ Backyard Refuge Program Coordinator.

Help us plan! Everyone who registers for the event will receive a raffle ticket for a door prize. Registration closes on Friday, February 2- but you can still attend!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

https://friendsofvalledeoro.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/friendsofvalledeoro/eventRegistration.jsp?event=92&

[FULL] Birds & Breakfast
2023-02-04 01:00 - 03:00 | NM
Before the Annual Meeting, members of the Friends are invited to join us on a special bird walk with Laurel Ladwig, Backyard Refuge Program Coordinator!
This event is full. Stay tuned for more like it!

Volunteer Pond Clean Up- Part 2
2023-01-27 05:30 - 08:30 | NM
We’ll be draining the pond wetland at the visitor center for maintenance!

Join us on Thursday January 26 and/or Friday January 27 in the afternoon to help remove excess cattail and algae growth. Bring boots, warm layers, gloves and water. Refuge can provide a limited supply of rubber boots and work gloves.

No pre-registration required. Questions? Reach out to Ranger Dakota at: dakota_dominguez@fws.gov

Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or have a signed permission slip prior to the event. Contact Ranger Dakota at dakota_dominguez@fws.gov

Volunteer Pond Clean Up- Part 1
2023-01-26 05:30 - 08:30 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States

Bosque Education Guide Workshop
2023-01-21 01:30 - 09:30 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States
The Bosque Education Guide is an interdisciplinary curriculum about the Middle Rio Grande Valley ecosystem. The curriculum provides classroom-based and field activities for students grades K-12. For the central activity, students construct a model of the Middle Rio Grande and then manipulate the paper and cloth pieces to demonstrate human impacts over the last two hundred years. Later, they “restore” the ecosystem. All educators are invited to join us for a curriculum specific training at Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge.
For more information and to register: www.nmnaturalhistory.org/events/bosque-education-guide-workshop-1

Environmental Justice at VDO
2023-01-20 03:00 - 04:00 | NM
Virtual Event, Will be Recorded
Did you know Valle de Oro is the only public land site with a specific plan to address environmental, economic, and social injustice? Tune-in to learn about our 2023 environmental justice priorities, what the work looks like on the group at the Refuge, and how to partner with us.
Link coming soon.

Photo Contest- Submissions Due
2022-12-30 - 2022-12-31 | NM
Submit your entries for the Valle de Oro photo contest!
Entries are due at midnight.
Email valledeoro@fws.org for more details.

Christmas Bird Count
2022-12-29 - 2022-12-30 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States
Come to Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge for this annual tradition- the Christmas Bird Count! The fun starts at 7am.
Email valledeoro@fws.org to sign up.
And yes, Laurel with be there!

Visitor Center Closed- December 20 & 21
2022-12-19 - 2022-12-21 | NM
The Visitor Center will also be closed on December 20 & 21 for water line work. At this time, there will be no running water on the Refuge. Bathrooms will be closed.
Visitors are still welcome to enjoy the trails.

Mural Loop Guided Walk
2022-12-17 03:00 - 04:00 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States
Meet at the Visitor Center amphitheater for an easy one mile guided walk along the refuge’s Mural Loop Trail with Park Ranger Dakota. Program will end back at the visitor center by 11 AM

Luminaria Walk & TAAS Star Party
2022-12-16 11:00 - 14:00 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States
Join us for a luminaria walk around the Visitor Center and enjoy snacks, hot chocolate, music, and a story time!
Afterwards, look at the stars in the night sky with The Albuquerque Astronomical Society from 7PM to 9PM.
The Nature Store will be open for the duration of the event for some holiday shopping.

Luminaria Making Event
2022-12-10 02:00 - 09:00 | NM
Make wildlife and plant inspired luminarias for our December 16 event on the Refuge.
All are welcome to participate- and we could use your help! Stop by the Visitor Center and stay as long as you’d like.

How to Draw a Duck Workshop
2022-11-19 05:00 - 07:00 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States
CALLING ALL STUDENTS KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE!!!

Valle de Oro NWR is hosting a FREE two hour art workshop to help prepare your artwork entries for the 2023 NM Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest

Learn from local artist, Vanessa Alvarado, co-founder of ALMA Tile! All skill levels are welcome and materials will be provided!

The event will be held Saturday, November 19th from 12pm to 2pm in the multipurpose room at Valle de Oro NWR’s visitor center.

There is limited space available for the workshop so email valledeoro@fws.gov to reserve your seat! You can also request for a digital flyer for more information to share with family and friends!

Send us a message if you have any questions

ALMA Tile Making Workshop & Fish Sculpture Viewing
2022-11-12 04:00 - 06:00 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States
Make tiles for Valle de Oro’s 2023 mosaic crane sculpture with ALMA Tile!
Afterwards, we’ll take the Bosque loop Trail to visit the fish mosaics on the west side of the Refuge! It will be a 2 mile round trip.

8th Annual Fundraiser & Online Auction
2022-10-30 02:00 - 2022-11-06 10:00 | NM
We’re getting ready for our 8th Annual Fundraiser and Online Auction. This is our largest annual fundraiser and we are excited to hold it again this fall. Funds raised by The Friends, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, benefit our mission to support the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, restoring it back to its native habitat, benefitting wildlife, conservation, and our community.
Visit the Auction: https://one.bidpal.net/Friendsofvdo2022/welcome

Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty Film Screening
2022-10-28 08:00 - 10:00 | NM
Join us for a special film screening of the new documentary, Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty directed by long-time PBS veteran John de Graaf.
After the film, there will be a panel discussion with John de Graff and Refuge Manager Jennifer Owen-White. This event is free and open to the public.

ABQ Backyard Refuge Work Day
2022-10-22 03:00 - 06:00 | Zuni Elementary School, 6300 Claremont Ave NE, ABQ, 87110
Join the ABQ Backyard Refuge Program from a work day at Zuni Elementary School! Come ready to build the garden!
Email laurel@friendsofvalledeoro.org

Walk for the Wild
2022-10-07 - 2022-10-15 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States
Join the Friends of Valle de Oro as we Walk for the Wild!
Bird Walk with Laurel
Friday, October 14
9:00am
Join Laurel, the Director of the ABQ Backyard Refuge Program and resident bird expert for a guided walk on the newly opened westside trails! Meet at the Visitor Center. Bring your binoculars or borrow some from the Refuge!

Mural Loop Walk with Park Ranger Dakota

Saturday, October 15
10:00am
Meet with Park Ranger Dakota for an easy one mile guided walk along the refuge’s Mural Loop Trail and learn about Valle de Oro’s history and its future. Meet in the Amphitheater. Program will end back at the visitor center by 11 AM.

Walk for the Wild takes place during National Wildlife Refuge Week (October 8-15). Participants commit to walking a 5K (3.1. miles) and fundraising on behalf of Friends group.

Go to the Walk for the Wild-Team Friends Valle de Oro page.
Click the button on the left side of the page that says “JOIN TEAM.” It is free to register. Make sure you sign up for the Valle de Oro Team!
Set up your personal fundraising page and share the link with folks in your network.
Walk! This will be a self-guided event but we’ll share recommended routes, group walkabouts, and other ways to engage on the Refuge.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR DONATE!

Volunteer in the Nature Store
2022-09-13 02:00 - 11:00 | NM
The Nature Store is powered by volunteers!
We use a scheduling tool called SignUpGenius (just click the links below and select a shift). We need your help Tuesday-Saturday. Morning and afternoon shifts are available.
Are you a new volunteer? We’ll make sure you get the training you need!

Click here for the September Schedule.
Click here for the October Schedule.

Visitor Center Grand Opening
2022-09-09 - 2022-09-10 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States

Visitor Center Cleanup Volunteer Service Day
2022-08-27 03:00 - 06:00 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States
Come out and help Refuge staff prepare the Visitor Center for our Grand Opening and 10-year anniversary! We’ll be pulling invasive plants and doing general clean up. Bring work gloves, a water bottle, and sunscreen. Persons under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
Check in begins at 8:45am. Lunch will be served.
Questions? Contact Park Ranger Dakota at dakota_dominguez@fws.gov or 505.328.9876
Register for the event here!

Opening Doors to Nature Scholarship- Deadline for Applications
2022-08-04 - 2022-08-05 | NM
Friends of Valle de Oro will award three scholarships for the 2022-2023 school year.
Scholarships will be awarded to undergraduate students who are planning to pursue an environmentally focused career or are enrolled in an undergraduate conservation/environmental program.

For more information and to access the application, visit the scholarship webpage. Questions can be directed to Joan at 860-209-2328 and joan@friendsofvalledeoro.org.
https://friendsofvalledeoro.org/open-doors-to-nature-scholarship/

Outdoors 101 Day
2022-07-16 04:00 | Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, United States
Celebrate Latino Conservation Week at the Valle de Oro NWR!
Join us for an Outdoors 101 event on July 16th from 10 am – 2 pm. Activities will include camping and packing basics, outdoor first aid, and fishing!
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
This event is held in partnership with the Hispanic Access Foundation and Latino Outdoors. For more information, contact Jaidyn Armijo-Sonnenberg at jaidyn_armijo-sonnenberg@fws.gov.
REGISTER HERE.

The Bosque Education Guide Workshop
2022-07-16 02:30 - 10:30 | Rio Grande Nature Center, 2901 Candelaria NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107, United States
The Bosque Education Guide is an interdisciplinary curriculum about the Middle Rio Grande Valley ecosystem. The curriculum provides classroom-based and field activities for students grades K-12. For the central activity, students construct a model of the Middle Rio Grande and then manipulate the paper and cloth pieces to demonstrate human impacts over the last two hundred years. Later, they “restore” the ecosystem.
Newly updated activities include Next Generation Science Standards/NM STEM Ready! Science Standards.
Features of the Bosque Education Guide curriculum

Over 700 pages of K-12 activities; many now NM STEM Ready!/NGSS designed
Spanish materials available for download
Background and appendices for teachers
Suggestions for service learning in the bosque
Topics include:

The geology of the valley, surface and groundwater
Demands on the river’s water budget
Flora & fauna of the valley
Natural history & human influence
Fire in the bosque
Energy and matter in ecosystems
Bird migration

Workshop information
Workshop activities will occur indoors and outdoors. All public health orders at the time will be followed. Participants should dress in comfortable clothing for the weather that day, good walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen. Bring a sack lunch and water bottle.
To Register: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ej98kvhe91ab1f45&oseq=&c=&ch=
Workshop fee: $28 includes curriculum and binder (700+ pages), laminated kit, expert facilitator guides, refreshments and RGNC State Park Day Use Fee.
Refund Policy: Registration is refundable up to one-week prior to the workshop.
Questions: Tish Morris tish.morris11ATgmail.com or Karen Herzenberg at RGNC 505-344-7240; karen.herzenberg@state.nm.us

This workshop is sponsored by the US Fish and Wildlife Service—Valle de Oro, Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, Rio Grande Nature Center State Park and the Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center, NM Museum of Natural History & Science, and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish—Share with Wildlife Program.
