Spring Cottonwood Festival 2008

The Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center are hosting a Spring Cottonwood Festival on Saturday and Sunday May 10 & 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park. The festival is centered on the cottonwood tree as a symbol for the Bosque - its beauty, its place in our lives, and the need for protecting this incredible ecosystem. Activities include speakers, artist demonstrations, herb, wildflower and native plant sales, guided bird and nature walks, children's crafts, hands-on workshops, live music, food and refreshment stands, live bird displays - and much more.

Red-faced Warbler Seen

A Red-faced Warbler was seen on the Bosque Trail ¾ of the way to the new bridge. This species is not normally seen this far north.

Spring Migration Has Started at the Nature Ceenter

A Horned Grebe has been seen on the parking lot pond. Also seen have been an Osprey, a Snowy Egret, and 19 White-faced Ibis. A Gray Flycatcher was seen on the Bosque Trail. The first-of-season Wilson's Warbler and a Green-tailed Towhee were spotted at the Herb Garden.

Turkey Talk at the Nature Center

Saturday April 5

10:30

Discovery Room - Rio Grande nature Center State Park

WHAT: "Wild Turkey Restoration Project on the Pueblo of Santa Ana"
WHO: Glenn Harper, Range and Wildlife Manager on Santa Ana Pueblo.

The Pueblo of Santa Ana's turkey restoration project has been very successful, with turkeys dispersing off-pueblo to points north and east. Glenn will talk about the project, show some great photos from the Pueblo's remote 'turkey cams' and talk about the concept of wildness in a turkey population.

Please come to this turkey talk and bring your questions!

Save the Date - March Events

RAPTORS AND THE RIO
Saturday, March 29, 2008
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Rio Grande Nature Center

A representative from Hawkwatch International will bring live birds of prey for a public talk.
For more information, please see the flyer posted in the Visitor Center or visit the State Parks web calendar for more information: http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/parksevent/calendar/Default.aspx?Month=1

MARIPOSAVILLE OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, March 29, 2008
Beginning 9:00 a.m.
Rio Grande Nature Center – Mariposaville Garden

All volunteers, members, and public are invited to come see what’s new in Mariposaville, and to talk to the gardeners who work so hard to make our pollinator garden such a success!

Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center will occur Thursday, Feb. 14 from 6:00 to 8:00 in the Visitor's Center. This is an open meeting. The successes of the past year will be celebrated and members will vote for officers and board members.

Fox Sparrow Returns

While it might not be the same Fox Sparrow that spent time at the Nature Center last winter, a grayish form Fox Sparrow has been hanging around under the feeder next to the Observation pond since Jan. 17.

Eastern Bluebirds Observed

There have been several sightings of Eastern Bluebirds. They were seen earlier in the winter along the bike trail and more recently in the trees by the parking lot.

White-Winged Junco Banded

The Rio Grande Bird Research Team, which began its winter banding on January 12, banded a White-singed Junco (junco hyemalis aidkeni). This race of junco breeds in Montana and the dakotas and is rarely seen in New Mexico.

Volunteer Recognition

Volunteers contributed 13,180 hours to the Nature Center during 2007 – an increase of over 3,000 hours over 2006!

A number of volunteers were recognized for their cumulative lifetime milestones, including Sondra Williamson for 3,000 hours, Yolanda Homann for 2,500 hours, Doug Shaw for 1,500 hours and Ann Ahlander, Polli Gerstle and Cheri Orwig for 1,000 hours. The following Individuals were recognized for years of service milestones: Yolanda Homan and Jo Sirwinski – 20 years, Don Parker, Marge Steger and Nancy Umbriet for 15 years and Dan Loughran, Nancy Merwin and Sei Tokuda for five years.