The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with its partners and local community members, celebrated the establishment of a “mini-refuge” community garden in Albuquerque’s south valley neighborhood. This project highlights the success of creative partnerships that engage urban audiences in conservation and is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative.
The garden will serve as a “mini-refuge” experience for local community members and students to help them better understand national wildlife refuges. As the garden becomes more developed over the next several years it will include a pollinator garden, nature
explore classroom and educational signage. Local students helped plant the garden and are looking forward to fun, hands-on learning experiences the “mini-refuge” will provide.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is pleased to announce the designation of the first
Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership Project in the Southwest. The Service, along with its
partners, Bernalillo County, Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, and the
Mountain View Community Center celebrated the establishment of a “mini-refuge” community
garden at the Mountain View Community Center in Albuquerque’s south valley. The garden
will serve as a “mini-refuge” experience for local community members and students to help
them better understand national wildlife refuges. As the garden becomes more developed over
the next several years it will include a pollinator garden, nature explore classroom and
educational and interpretive signage.
This project highlights the success of creative partnerships that engage urban audiences in
conservation and is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Urban Wildlife Refuge
Initiative. “This project brings together the Service, communities and partners to promote
conservation” stated Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge Manager Jennifer Owen-White,
who spear-headed the project. “It really proves when we all work together we can do great
things for our local communities and for conservation”.
Students from the Mountain View Community Center, with assistance from the Valle de Oro
National Wildlife Refuge Youth Conservation Corps Crew, planted the new gardens. They are
excited to watch their garden grow over the next several years and are looking forward to fun,
hands-on learning experiences the “mini-refuge” will provide.
Two more Partnership projects are scheduled to be designated this summer, including a high
school education program and implementing the adapted Audubon Birds of a Feather
Curriculum for use on Valle De Oro National Wildlife Refuge by local elementary schools.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect,
and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American
people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for
our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals,
and commitment to public service.
For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
News Release
Public Affairs Office
PO Box 1306
Albuquerque, NM 87103
505/248-6911
505/248-6915 (Fax)www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and
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