FY 2003 Projects


Title	Location	Coordinator	Time Frame	Description
RESEARCH
Water Use by Middle Rio Grande Phreatophytes, Monitoring the contributions of Russian Olive, Saltcedar, and Cottonwood	Middle Rio Grande Bosque Corridor	University of New Mexico	1998-2003	Study to determine annual evapotranspiration (ET) rates for native and non-native riparian plant communities; assess the effect of flooding on annual ET; evaluate inter-annual variability in ET; and contribute calibration parameters to the Middle Rio Grande water budget.
Bosque Hydrology Group, FLO-2D Workgroup	Middle Rio Grande	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service	continuous since 1996	Coordinate and synthesize hydrologic data within the Middle Rio Grande as they relate to the restoration of the bosque and maintain web page for information distribution. Coordinate Bosque Hydrology Group and FLO-2D Workgroup.
River Bar Vegetation Mapping: Extent and History in the Albuquerque Reach	Albuquerque reach	University of New Mexico, New Mexico Natural Heritage Program	Continuous since 2002	Development of a map of river bar vegetation with an analysis of current bar configuration and extent in a historical context.
River Bar Biodiversity Studies: Aerial Insects, Vegetation Structure and Bird Habitat	Middle Rio Grande	University of New Mexico, New Mexico Natural Heritage Program	2003	Study will broaden the comparative biodiversity studies of river bars and bosque in the Middle Rio Grande to include aerial insects and vertical vegetation structure as important components of bird habitat.
Restoration of Native Riparian Flora	Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge	Texas Tech University	1997-2003	Research project to provide requisite knowledge to maximize native riparian flora recruitment on active river floodplain and on controlled flooding areas outside the floodplain.
Jardines del Bosque Research Station: Urban Ecology on the Rio Grande, 2003	Middle Rio Grande	National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico	continuous since 2001	Establishment of a Research Center located within the Cultural Center facility and adjacent 12-acre bosque site that will serve as an outdoor laboratory and study center for the community to learn and research the wildlife and natural habitat of the bosque.
Middle Rio Grande FLO-2D Model Support	Middle Rio Grande	Tetra Tech, Inc	continuous since 2002	Provide calibration and detailed model application of the Middle Rio Grande FLO-2D model that will be used to predict overbank flooding and floodwave attenuation on the Middle Rio Grande. Model results will aid in restoration planning.
Habitat Requirements of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher in the Middle Rio Grande Valley (Year 2)	Middle Rio Grande	University of New Mexico	continuous since 2002	Assess the habitat requirements of the southwestern willow flycatcher to better understand the endangered bird's nesting and territory selection process.
Methods for Restoring a Sustainable Mesic Grass and Herbaceous Component to the Middle Rio Grande Riparian Ecosystem	Middle Rio Grande bosque sites near Rio Grande Nature Center State Park and CIty of Albuquerque Candelaria Wetland	Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park	2003	Mesic habitat associated with Bosque meadows offers specific habitat for wildlife. This study will develop methods for re-establishing mesic-grassland in the bosque.
Riparian Restoration of Abandoned Irrigated Farmland along the Middle Rio Grande	Polvadera, NM	Ross Coleman	2003	Establish an experimental protocol for the riparian restoration of abandonded irrigated farmland and create a working model with associated wildlife and societal benefits.
MONITORING
Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program (BEMP): Science Section	Middle Rio Grande Bosque	University of New Mexico/Bosque School	continuous since 1998	Long term ecological monitoring using an outreach approach for particiants to understand the changing dynamics of the Middle Rio Grande riparian forest.
Monitoring Program & Outreach for the Conceptual Restoration Plan for the Rio Grande from San Acacia to San Marcial, NM	Middle Rio Grande from San Acacia to San Marcial, NM	Socorro Save Our Bosque Task Force	continuous since 2002	Project will consolidate existing restoration and rehabilitation plans along with the existing biotic and abiotic information for the Rio Grande "active" floodplain reach from San Acacia to San Marcial, NM.
Bird and Vegetation Community Relationships - a 21-year comparison	Middle Rio Grande Bosque	Hawks Aloft, Inc.	2003	Comprehensive re-analysis/ assessment of avian abundance and richness relative to vegetation communities along the Middle Rio Grande compared to that found 21-years ago.
Monitoring Trends in the Breeding Populations of Raptors and Owls in the Middle Rio Grande Corridor (Year 2 Funding Request)	Middle Rio Grande Bosque	Hawks Aloft, Inc	continuous since 2002	Conduct a complete survey of the population of breeding raptors and owls to determine species composition and breeding pair density, monitor active nests for success, productivity, food habits, habitat characteristics, and disturbance factors.
Restoration Monitoring of the Pueblo of Santa Ana Bosque Restoration	Pueblo of Santa Ana	Pueblo of Santa Ana	continuous since 2001	Wildlife and vegetation monitoring program to assess changes associated with the Pueblo's bosque restoration efforts.
HABITAT ENHANCEMENT
Save Our Bosque Task Force/Socorro County Bosque Rehabilitation/Protection Project	Middle Rio Grande Corridor/ Socorro County	Socorro Save Our Bosque Task Force	Continuous 1997	Exotic species control/fuels reduction in and around cottonwood and willow stands between San Acacia Dam and the north boundary of Bosque del Apache NWR, using manual and mechanical treatment and individual herbicide application.
Los Lunas River Park Project	Los Lunas bosque	Tree New Mexico, Inc.	Continuous since 2001	Restoration and establishment of a mixed-use River Park area along the Rio Grande.
Saltcedar Control - NAWCA Area Phase II	Bosque del Apache NWR	Bosque del Apache NWR	2003	Restoration of 200 acres of degraded saltgrass meadow habitat will be improved through saltcedar control using a combination of methods utilizing herbicide/burn and mechanical control and subsequent surface and sub-surface water management to regenerate saltgrass vegetation.
Restoration of the Pueblo de Cochiti Bosque	Cochiti Pueblo	Pueblo de Cochiti	continuous since 2001	Restoration project to protect and rehabilitate the bosque enhancing the biodiversity and ecological resources within the boundaries of the Pueblo de Cochiti.
Brush Removal and Fire Break Project	Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge	Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge	continuous since 2001	Removal of salt cedar growing along the Rio Grande and creation of fire breaks to help preserve the larger, mature cottonwoods in wetland area of Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.
Friends of Rio Rancho Open Space, Inc. - Bosque Improvement Project	Rio Rancho Bosque	Friends of Rio Rancho Open Space, Inc.	2003	Remove non-native vegetation from the bosque within Rio Rancho and perpetuate growth of native habitat, flora, and fauna for approximately 150 acres (long term). This grant is for the initial phase and restoration of approximately 5 acres.
Bosque Rehabilitation	Rio Grande Valley State Park	City of Albuquerque	continuous since 2001	Restore bosque sites through: fuel reduction, removal of non-native trees and jetty jacks; planting of native under-story species which are absent; restore and repair burned areas; monitoring of newly planted species; and maintenance of non-native vegetation. This grant will concentrate on the acreage affected by the Atrisco and Montano July 2003 fires.
Rio Grande Valley State Park Burned Area Revegetation	Rio Grande Valley State Park	NM State Forestry	2003	Burned area seeding project on the 265 acres affected by the Atrisco and Montano July 2003 fires.
OUTREACH
Educators Training/ Support for the Bosque Education Guide	Middle Rio Grande Bosque Corridor	Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center	Continuous since 2001	Focus is on completion of the Bosque Education Guide development, guidebook production and kits, training courses for educators, outreach to educators via a newsletter, and establishment and support of web page.
The Rio Grande Ecology Institute….at the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park	Rio Grande Nature Center	Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center	continuous since 2000	Summer program designed for high school sophomores and juniors to study the biology, hydrology, water management, aquatic ecology and endangered species of the bosque.
Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program (BEMP): Outreach Section	Middle Rio Grande bosque	Bosque School/ University of New Mexico	continuous since 1998	Provide citizens an opportunity to learn about the bosque ecosystem by participating in long-term monitoring of key ecological and hydrological variables.
Student Ecology Research Project	Middle Rio Grande Bosque Corridor	New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science	continuous since 2000	Provide research education and experience for 48-60 students from schools within the Middle Rio Grande. Project will provide training opportunities in aquatic and terrestrial ecology, research techniques, and design and implementation of long-term monitoring sites in each community.
Restoring the Middle Rio Grande: A Community Action Plan	Middle Rio Grande Valley, NM	Rio Grande Restoration	continuous since 2000	Action Plan focuses on community education and outreach to inspire positive and effective action for the river, with an emphasis on communication, collaboration, and creative problem solving.
The BIG Picture: A Quarterly Newsletter of the Middle Rio Grande Bosque Initiative	Middle Rio Grande	Kathleen A. Grassel	2003	Design, research, write, and publish a comprehensive eight-page quarterly newsletter, reporting on MRGBI/BIG projects.
Santo Domingo Tribe Bosque Improvement Initiative	Santo Domingo Pueblo	Santo Domingo Tribe	continuous since 2002	Provide community education about the bosque (including native trees, habitat, wildlife, and river ecology) in order to promote a healthy ecosystem.

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