Merganser and Scaup Seen on Ponds

A male Hooded Merganser and a female Greater Scaup have been enjoying the parking lot pond. They were first seen on Oct. 30 and were still there on Nov. 4. While the Lesser Scaup is often seen in New Mexico in the winter, the Greater Scaup is a rarity. The Hooded Merganser is uncommon.

Events Create Visibility For Nature Center

The Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center participates in numerous community events year-round. We attend these events for many reasons, among them fundraising, advertising, and volunteer recruiting. Three such events we recently participated in were the Combined Federal Campaign Kick-Off Events in September, the KUNM Green Pledge Drive and UNM Volunteer Fair in October.

Anyone who has worked at a booth can attest to how much planning is required, and how tiring it can be to stand for hours meeting strangers and giving the same information out over and over again. It’s hard work!

According to Volunteer Coordinator, Anne Russell, "Our volunteers really make it fun, though. Their positive attitudes ensure that our booths are “happening” places. I’d like to thank the volunteers who helped with our booths and other community events this fall – they are the face of our organization, and the heart of all that we do."

November Activities

VOLUNTEER NEEDS & ACTIVITIES: NOVEMBER 2007

Winter is just around the corner – and so are some of our favorite events! Here’s the schedule of activities for November:

We need volunteers for the following EVENTS

Festival of the Cranes, Bosque del Apache – booth
Friday, November 16,
Saturday, November 17,
Sunday, November 18
*To sign up, please contact Anne Russell

We need volunteers for the following JOBS

Webmaster
We need a volunteer to be the webmaster for our site, www.rgnc.org. Anyone with website design, maintenance, and Dreamweaver experience would be more than qualified for this position. This job is an important commitment, as our website is one of our main channels of communication with the public. Our webmaster needs to have the time and ability to make changes to the website on a regular basis (3 to 5 times a month, at most) and a willingness to do the job for the long-term.

Front Desk & Nature Shop
We are always looking for more volunteers to work the front desk and nature shop shifts. These are fun positions! You get to talk to park visitors, enjoy the scenery at the Nature Center Visitor Center, and help maintain a regular, strong Friends presence at the Park.

If you are interested in any of these jobs, please contact Anne Russell at 343-1373 or friends@rgnc.org

Important dates in November

NATURE SHOP RECEPTION for a new book, Bearing Witness: 25 Years of Refuge
Saturday, November 10, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Margy O’Brien & Lou Libery will take orders for their new book, read poetry, display original watercolors, and offer drinks and snacks. Note: no Friends’ member discounts will apply for this event.

BIRD RESEARCH PRESENTATION:
Over 25 years of Rio Grande bird research at the RGNCSP
Presented by Steve and Nancy Cox
Wednesday, November 14, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

20th Annual FESTIVAL OF THE CRANES, Bosque del Apache NWR
Tuesday, November 13 through Sunday, November 18
The Friends will have a booth on Friday, November 16, Saturday, November 17, and Sunday, November 18 – we invite you to come down to the Refuge, visit our booth, and enjoy the festival!

If you’d like more information about the Festival of the Cranes, visit www.friendsofthebosque.org/crane on the web, or call (505) 835-2077.

THE PARK WILL BE CLOSED ON THANKSGIVING DAY:
Thursday, November 22
We wish you all a wonderful holiday!

November Activities

Bosque Education Guide
Teacher training and material on Rio Grande Bosque ecology
Saturday, November 3, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
* Pre-registration required, call 344-7240

All Volunteer Meeting & Training Opportunity
Join us as we demonstrate a different educational trunk each month, followed by the Public Education Committee meeting. Please bring your lunch.
Wednesday, November 7, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Board meeting
Thursday, November 8, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Water Quality Monitoring
Tuesday, November 13, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 14, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Preservation, Protection, & Research Committee Meeting
Saturday, November 17, 2:00 p.m.
Join us as we discuss different topics with special speakers.

Moon/Twilight Walk
Saturday, November 24 (call for time & reservations)

In the Garden
Every Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Bird Walks
Every Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m.

Nature Walks
Every Sunday, 1 p.m.

Notice
The volunteer board at the Nature Center Visitor Center is going to be “under construction” for the next few weeks. Please bear with us - I hope the changes we make to the area will improve its usability.

Thank you to all the volunteers who made our October events successful!

PROTHONOTARY WARBLER

A Prothonotary Warbler, normally found in the swampy woods of the southeastern US during the summer, showed up at the Observation Pond on Oct. 20. It spent time between the New Mexico Olives on the west side of the pond and the New Mexico Privet along the trail. The banding team caught and banded it on Oct. 27. The banders re-trapped it on October 28 and surprisingly again on November 3!! It was still being seen on Nov. 4.

October Events.

Hello, Friends. Here are the events for October:

Important dates in October

RETIREMENT RECEPTION for Louie Carrillo

Friday, October 12, 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

In the Nature Center Visitor Center
Please bring your stories, memories, and smiles to bid Louie a fond farewell!



PRESENTATION

Silvery Minnow Nursery Habitat for Restoration Projects

Michael D. Porter, Ph.D., Certified Fisheries Professional, Bureau of Reclamation

Wednesday, October 17, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.



FRONT DESK & NATURE SHOP VOLUNTEER MEETING

Wednesday, October 17, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

In the classroom at the Nature Center

Please bring your own lunch


October Activities

Interpreter/Educator/Naturalist Training

Join the rangers for extra training!
Wednesday, October 10, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.



Nature Discovery for Kids (ages 4 - 6)

Wednesday, October 3 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon…….Animals Underground
Wednesday, October 10 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon…….Roly Polies
Wednesday, October 17 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon…….Lady Bugs
Wednesday, October 24 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon…….Crows and Ravens
Wednesday, October 31 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon…….Bats



Please register at least 5 days before class.
$15 per child, $13 for Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center.

For more information, please visit http://www.naturediscovery.org/Fall2007.htm



Project Wild

Engage your students in literacy skills by integrating science & language arts.
Saturday, October 20, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
*pre-registration required (Coleen Welch 476-8119, colleen.welch@state.nm)



Moon/Twilight Walk

October 25 (call for time & reservations)



In the Garden

Every Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.



Bird Walks

Every Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m.



Nature Walks

Every Sunday, 1 p.m.



Water Quality Surveillance

Tuesday, October 16, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 17, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.



Board meeting

Thursday, October 11, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.



Board retreat

Saturday, October 20, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Aug 21 Additions.

Hello, Friends.

Two items to add to our August 21st, Tuesday, calendar:

1 - Our very own Board President, Doug Shaw, will be live on Channel 4's noon hour news show. Doug will be talking about the Banquet in the Bosque at about 12:25 p.m. Please tune in!



2 - Bosque Restoration Phase IV Planning Meeting. If you're interested in partnering with other volunteers re bosque clean-up/restoration, please read the following email. The Bosque Restoration Phase IV Planning Meeting will be on Aug. 21st, 9:00 AM-10:30 AM at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

From: Nava, Yolanda, DCA
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 4:04 PM

Subject: Bosque Restoration Phase IV Planning Meeting
When: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:00 AM-10:30 AM (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada).
Where: National Hispanic Cultural Center - Saloun Ortega



Dear Colleagues:

The first planning meeting of Phase IV Bosque Restoration project will take place at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on Tuesday, August 21 at 9:00-10:30 am. The meeting is set to prepare for restoration work that will begin after September 1, 2007, when bird nesting season is over. For those who would like to walk the trail to see work completed and yet to be completed, there will be an opportunity to walk the bosque at 10:30 am, after the meeting.

Phase IV goals include:

1) bosque clean-up/restoration on northern portion of 12 acres to the west of NHCC,
2) installation of a bridge across the ditch and bicycle trail to the NHCC campus,
3) widening of the trail and topping with stabilized crusher fine gravel, to meet with ADA compliance,
(this will be dependent upon funding), and
4) and installation of seating & picnic tables

The amount of work to be completed will be dependent upon funding. We have identified some funding for items 1 & 2, and will be looking to stakeholders for additional funding sources and opportunities as this project is an ideal collaborative that will enrich the larger community and enable multiple entities to fulfill their respective project goals and missions.

A list of Phase III Accomplishments and Phase 4 and Phase 5 Goals will be sent under separate cover along with an agenda.

Please let me know if there are other stakeholders who should be invited, and their contact information. I look forward to seeing you on August 21st.

Directions: NHCC is located west of I-25 at the intersection of Cesar Chavez and 4th Street. Park in the front lot on 4th Street. To get to Salon Ortega, turn RIGHT immediately after leaving the parking lot and passing the torreón. Turn LEFT into courtyard and enter through doors of building on left of courtyard.

YOLANDA NAVA
Director of Special Projects
National Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 4th Street SW
Albuquerque, NM 87502
505. 246-2261, ext. 124
yolanda.nava@state.nm.us
Please visit www.nhccnm.org

FRGNC Banquet in the Bosque.

Hello Friends,

Please join us at the Banquet in the Bosque, Saturday, Sep. 8th, 6 to 10 p.m. The evening is packed with good food and entertainment. There will be a silent auction, music, cash bar, and Tom Waddell, of Ted Turner's Armendaris Ranch, will speak about the Aplomado falcon.

Cost is $50 per person, of which $25 is tax deductible. It is important that you reserve by August 25th (344-7240). If you cannot join us, please consider making a donation instead.

August Events.

Hello Friends,

Two important dates in August:

Saturday, August 4th, SUMMER WINGS. Come join us. Volunteer needs are detailed below. Banquet in the Bosque reservation deadline is August 25th. This is a special 25th anniversary fundraiser for education and restoration programs at the Nature Center. Call 344-7240 to register. Hope to see you there.



Saturday, August 4th, SUMMER WINGS.



We need volunteers for the following:



Set up: Friday, August 3rd:

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: 3 volunteers



Saturday, August 4th:

*Membership/Greeters (meeting tree):

9:30 am to noon: shift covered

Noon to 2:00 p.m.: 2 volunteers

2:00 to 4:15 p.m.: 2 volunteers



*Bosque Bits booth (outside):

2:00 to 4:15 p.m.: 3 volunteers



*Kids booth (indoor classroom). Note: Guyla Clark & Carolyn Minette have already planned the activity. Guyla will be there the entire day.

9:30 am to noon: 2 volunteers

Noon to 2:00 p.m.: 2 volunteers

2:00 to 4:15 p.m.: 2 volunteers



*Refreshments booth (sell lemonade & cookies outside):

9:30 am to noon: 1 volunteer

Noon to 2:00 p.m.: 2 volunteers

2:00 to 4:15 p.m.: 3 volunteers



*Hospitality booth (refreshments for volunteers in park staff office):

8:30 am to 11:00 am: 2 volunteers

11:00 am to 1:30 p.m.: 2 volunteers

1:30 pm to 4:15 p.m.: 2 volunteers



*NEW ITEM: We’re having an Odds & Ends Sale table.

9:30 am to noon: 3 volunteers

Noon to 2:00 p.m.: 3 volunteers

2:00 to 4:15 p.m.: 3 volunteers



Tear down:

4 pm to 5 p.m.: 2 volunteers.



August 11th: 8 p.m. Join the Junior Rangers Star Party.

Bird Walks: Every Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.



Full Moon/Twilight Walk: June 30 (call for time & reservations)



Bosque Education Guide Training: June 28



Fun in the Shade: Every Wednesday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteer Guided Nature Hikes (guided by a ranger or Education committee), considered advanced training



Gardening: Every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.



Nature Walks: Every Sunday, 10 a.m.



Water Quality Surveillance: August 14 & 15, 10 a.m.



Board meeting: August 9th, 6 to 8 p.m.

Amazon Adventure - More Details.

Hello Friends.

I am sorry for the delay in the information about this trip. There is so much more that is too long and complicated to post here; however I can give you details about the cost and what it includes.

There is a very long document file that I was sent which included a possible itinerary and more info than I can publish here; unfortunately I have nowhere to host it for download or viewing. I do not wish to give out my personal email address either, so I am in a bit of a bind. I'll post Fiona's contact info at the end of this post, which I now have, so that you may contact her for further details. I am sorry for the inconvenience. Here is most of the important info:

AMAZON ADVENTURE

Cost………………US $ 3,300 from Manaus

Flights are not included in the cost of the tour.
A deposit of US$500 per person is required to reserve a space on this tour. Please request a reservation form and mail it to Fiona Reid with your deposit.

TOUR COST INCLUDES:
Accommodation based on double occupancy
Gratuities for services provided by Fiona Reid’s Wildlife Encounters
Ground transportation / group airport transfers
Meals as described in this itinerary
Park entrance fees
Activities listed in the itinerary
Services of Tour Leader Fiona Reid
Services of Brazilian bilingual naturalist

TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Return airfare from your home to Manaus
Internal flights within Brazil (if required)
Airport departure taxes / Brazilian Visa
Alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and other bar drinks
Phone calls and items of a personal nature
Optional activities / travel insurance
Airport transfers if not travelling with group
Additional transportation required due to any emergency situation

THIS TOUR IS LIMITED TO 20 PARTICIPANTS

Please contact Fiona Reid to book this tour or to obtain further details:
(905) 693-9719 or E-mail:
fionar@globalserve.net

Fiona Reid Trip - Amazon River Adventure

Hello Friends,

Fiona Reid, the author and illustrator of the recently released Peterson Field Guide to Mammals, came and spoke at the Rio Grande Nature Center in early June. She is an incredible lady, artist, and naturalist. She is leading a trip (Fiona Reid's Amazon River Adventure) from February 23 to March 5, 2008. It looks to be a fantastic trip.

Fiona asked to have this information passed on to Rio Grande Nature Center folks, etc. Please also forward on to others you feel may be interested in such an adventure.

Please contact Fiona Reid to book this tour or to obtain further details:
(905) 693-9719 or E-mail:
fionar@globalserve.net

Happy 25th!

Hello Friends,

The park’s BIG 25^th anniversary celebration will be Saturday, June 23^rd, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Please join us! There will be a quartet, speakers, cake & cold drinks, walks, and live animals.

A Special Delivery.

Hello, Friends.

Cheri Orwig has kindly informed us of this very special opportunity:

Come see our newest babies. In the Discovery Room a television monitor has the live pictures of an ash-throated flycatcher nest. Babies should be hatching any day now and on the nest for a couple of weeks to follow. Be sure and check out the new arrivals in the Discovery Room.


Thanks, Cheri! This is something everyone should go see!

June Events.

Hello, Friends.

Summer is now upon us; June is a full and exciting month. The two big days are June 9th and June 23rd. Please join us!

Saturday June 9th

Volunteer Pot Luck: 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Bring your favorite dish to share. (Outdoor classroom) Note: If weather is an issue, food will be set up in the indoor classroom & tables set up to eat in the discovery room.

FOLLOWED BY ….

Nature into Art: The Making of a Field Guide: 1:00 p.m. A presentation and book signing ("Peterson Field Guide to North American Mammals") by accomplished writer and artist, Fiona Reid. (Discovery Room)

Saturday June 23, 10 am to 2 pm

Rio Grande Nature Center 25th Anniversary Celebration:

Speakers, Quartet Concert, Guided hikes to the river, bird walks, dragonfly spotting at the Discovery Pond, raptors with wildlife rescue & much more.

Bird Walks: Every Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.

Full Moon/Twilight Walk: June 30 (call for time & reservations)

Bosque Education Guide Training: June 28

Fun in the Shade: Every Wednesday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteer Guided Nature Hikes (guided by a ranger or Education committee), considered advanced training

Gardening: Every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Nature Walks: Every Sunday, 10 a.m.

Water Quality Surveillance: June 12 & 13, 10 a.m.

Meetings:

Interpreters Traveling Trunk/Pond Cart Inventory: June 9, 9 a.m.

Board meeting: June 14, 6 to 8 p.m.

Garden: June 2, Outdoor classroom, noon

Research: June 23, 2 p.m.

Fun In The Shade This Summer!

FUN IN THE SHADE THIS SUMMER!

This summer, there are several opportunities to get to know your RGNC State Park better. Join Rangers Karen and/or Sarah for informal guided walks on the property. We'll look at what's blooming, what's flying, what's been seen lately and who's pairing off in the bushes. Maybe we'll go to the pond or do an activity. This is a chance for all of us to get outside, have some fun and learn a bunch about our beautiful park. It will count towards advanced training.

TIME

Most Wednesday afternoons from 2pm to about 4pm.

DO I JUST SHOW UP?

Yes! Show up at 2pm at the front desk. Dress for the weather and the trail (sunscreen, bug repellant, water bottle etc.) and bring your questions and observations.

All stripes of volunteers are welcome: front deskers, shop cashiers, admin helpers, researchers, gardeneers and interpreters.

SCHEDULE

Rangers Karen and Sarah: Wednesday, July 18, August 1, August 15, August 22

Ranger Karen: Wednesday, June 13, July 11, July 25

Ranger Sarah: Wednesday, May 23 and June 6

No class: Wednesday, May 30, June 20, June 27, July 4, August 8

CONTACT

Karen Herzenberg (karen.herzenberg@NOSPAMstate.nm.us)

Sarah Wood (sarah.wood@NOSPAMstate.nm.us)

344-7240

Please remove the "NOSPAM" before emailing.

May Events.

Hello, Friends. May is almost upon us; here is what's going on.

May
5&6 HERBFEST. Please join us! Volunteers still needed. Thanks!

Share Your Stories!

Hello, Friends. Share your stories about the RGNC here. What inspired you? What made you smile? We'd like to know.

Share Your Sightings!

Hello, Friends. Please share any sightings at RGNC with us! For example, did you see a coyote whilst walking to the river? This is the place to post your comment(s).

April Events.

Hello, Friends. Here is a list of the events that will be going on in the beautiful month of April, right here at the RGNC:

April
2 – Twilight Hike on a Full Moon Night

4 – All –volunteer Ongoing Training; All-volunteer Brown Bag Lunch

7 – In the Garden

10 – Deadline for registering for NMCP Spotlight on Volunteers

12 – Friends’ Board Meeting

14 – In the Garden

17 & 18 – Water Quality Surveillance

18 – Visitor Program, The Bosque: Past Present, and Future; PNM Volunteer Fair

21 – In the Garden; Visitor Program, Workshop: Bosque Educ. Monitoring Prog.

22 – Earth Day 28 – In the Garden, Visitor Program, Painting Botanicals in Watercolor; Research Committee Meeting

28 – In the Garden, Visitor Program, Painting Botanicals in Watercolor;

Research Committee Meeting

You may refer to your Bosque Tracks newsletter for more details, or if you have any questions about any event, feel free to email or call Aileen.