Projects and Research

On Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area, the staff strive to learn more about the habitat that is currently and historically on the 4,224 acres of the refuge. On-going projects include Mora River Restoration, New Mexico meadow jumping mouse Research, and more!

One of the largest tools used at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area is river restoration. Working closely with the Hermits Peak Watershed Alliance, many areas of the refuge are being restored to their previous riparian habitats that were once changed due to the ranching. Now plantings occur in spring or summer, with help from different organizations and groups of different riparian plant species including willow, grasses, and riparian shrubs, to restore the riverbank of the Mora River. In cooperation with local organizations, the refuge is actively working to de-channelize the Mora River to restore it to the historical meanders that had once existed before the days of homesteads and ranching.