Events
All events are FREE, open to the public, and take place at Valle de Oro's visitor center
unless noted otherwise. All times are in Mountain Time. Check websites and
our Facebook/Instagram pages for more information.
Electric Shuttle Tours
Discover your National Wildlife Refuge!
Informative tours of refuge habitats in
our open-air electric shuttle will be
available on the first Friday (except for
the July 3rd holiday) and Saturday of
each month, and the last Saturday of
each month. Tours are led by
volunteers, take about 45 minutes and
are available on demand by checking in
at the visitor center front desk.
Tour Days:
Saturday July 4
Saturday July 25
Friday August 7
Saturday August 8
Saturday August 29
Friday September 4
Saturday September 5
Saturday September 26
9:30 am to 2:00 pm each day
Fri. July 3
Independence Day Observed
The visitor center will be CLOSED in
observance of the Independence Day
Federal holiday. The building will be
open Saturday July 4th.
All day
Fri. July 10
Nature Kids
*Presented by the Friends of Valle de Oro*
Nature Kids is a free monthly hands-on
nature program designed for children
who love exploring wildlife, habitats,
ecology, and the outdoors. Each class
includes engaging activities, crafts, and
outdoor exploration that encourage
curiosity, observation, and a deeper
connection to the natural world.
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Fri. July 10
Children’s Book Exchange
*Presented by the Friends of Valle de Oro*
Bring your gently used children’s books
to our Kids Book Exchange and
discover new stories to take home!
Families are invited to bring and swap
multiple books for babies, kids, and
teens while sharing a love of reading,
learning, and imagination. From picture
books and early readers to nature
stories, adventure tales, and
educational books, there’s something
for every young reader to enjoy.
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Sat. July 11
Weed Warriors & Ologies
Join Ranger Sierra for a weeding
project where we focus on the removal
of nonnative plant species on the
refuge. Come join the refuge’s monthly
podcast club! While we work, we will
listen to the award winning OLOGIES
podcast by Alie Ward. Join us for a
morning of informative chit chats with
scientists. 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Sat. July 11
Macroinvertebrates
Meet Ranger Sierra at the refuge pond to
learn about macroinvertebrates as
bioindicator species, water quality, and
pollution. This event will allow participants
to experience hands on data collection as
we look at the critters hidden under the
surface of our water. Fun for all ages!
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tue. July 14
Summer Plant Walk
Join Ranger Dakota for an easy walk
around the visitor center and learn about
our amazing local native plants.
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Fri. July 17
Tracks & Signs
*Presented by the Friends of Valle de Oro*
Discover the hidden stories animals leave
behind in this hands-on Tracks and Signs
program for children of all ages. Learn how
to identify footprints, scat, feathers, nests,
and other clues while exploring the ways
wildlife move through and interact with the
landscape. Participants will also create
plaster casts of animal tracks to take home
while sharpening their observation skills
through interactive activities and outdoor
exploration.
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Sat. July 18
Mysterious Moths:
Mothing Night at the Refuge
Join Ranger Sierra in celebrating
National Moth Week at the refuge. This
unique nighttime program is geared
toward teenagers (15+) and adults
interested in the mysterious world of
moths. The presentation will be
followed by a live mothing event on the
refuge. Where visitors will learn what is
mothing, how to moth, and how YOU
can contribute to important citizen
science in your own backyard! RSVP by
emailing sierra_necessary@fws.gov,
spots are limited.
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Fri. July 24
Nature Kids- Celebrate Moth Week!
Children ages 6-10 with an adult are
invited to participate in a hands-on
nature activity celebrating moths this
week. This includes reading with a
ranger, and a free coloring
sheet/activity. Drop ins welcome!
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Sat. July 25
Mysterious Moths
Encore Presentation
Join Ranger Sierra in the multipurpose
room to celebrate the conclusion of
National Moth Week. Take a deep dive
into the world of mysterious moths.
Learn what a moth is, what kinds of
moths you can find in New Mexico,
and how YOU can contribute to citizen
science in your backyard!
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Sat. August 1
*Presented by the Friends of Valle de Oro*
Saturday at the Refuge:
Watercolor Painting
Join local watercolor artist Susie Biggs
for Saturday at the Refuge! Create your
own watercolor painting in this fun,
hands-on activity for all ages. Whether
you’re a beginner or an experienced
artist, come enjoy a relaxing morning of
creativity inspired by the beauty of the
refuge.
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Saturday at the Refuge:
Writing the Wild
Join us at the visitor center patio by the
pond for an introduction to observing
and documenting nature.
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Tue. August 4
Mural Loop Interpretive Walk
Join Ranger Dakota for a one-mile walk
visiting five murals painted by local
artists that help envision the future of
habitat restoration work at the refuge.
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Fri. August 7
Nature Tots
*Presented by the Friends of Valle de Oro*
Nature Tots is a free monthly nature
program for young children and their
caregivers. Through stories, crafts,
sensory activities, and short nature
walks, children explore the natural
world while building curiosity, creativity,
and a love for the outdoors.
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Sat. August 8
Weed Warriors & Ologies
Join Ranger Sierra for a weeding
project on the refuge. While we work,
we will listen to the award winning
OLOGIES podcast. Join us for a morning
of informative chit chats with scientists.
7:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Sat. August 8
The Nature of Tea: Observing Nature
Through the Art of Brewing Tea
Join Ranger Dakota for a multi-sensory
workshop experience exploring
connections between seasonal changes
in the bosque ecosystem, the process
and ritual of brewing and tasting tea, and
using our senses to observe the natural
world. Tea and light snacks provided by
the Friends of Valle de Oro. Seats are
limited! Please register by sending an
e-mail to: dakota_dominguez@fws.gov
9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Fri. August 14
Nature Kids
*Presented by the Friends of Valle de Oro*
Nature Kids is a free monthly hands-on
nature program designed for children who
love exploring wildlife, habitats, ecology,
and the outdoors. Each class includes
engaging activities, crafts, and outdoor
exploration that encourage curiosity,
observation, and a deeper connection to
the natural world.
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Sat. August 15
B.A.R.K. Rangers
*Presented by the Friends of Valle de Oro*
Bring your furry friends to learn about our
pet policies on the refuge and take the
pledge to be a part of our B.A.R.K. Ranger
program. All dogs required to be on leash
and non-reactive around others.
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Sat. August 29
Pollinators
Join Ranger Sierra for an informative talk
on our beloved pollinators, no matter
the shape or size. Learn about
restoration work on the refuge, why you
should plant native, and how to create a
backyard refuge of your own.
12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Fri. September 4
Nature Tots
*Presented by the Friends of Valle de Oro*
Nature Tots is a free monthly nature
program for young children and their
caregivers. Through stories, crafts,
sensory activities, and short nature
walks, children explore the natural
world while building curiosity, creativity,
and a love for the outdoors.
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Sat. September 5
*Presented by the Friends of Valle de Oro*
Saturday at the Refuge: Sun Prints
Celebrate the light and textures of late
summer at the refuge by creating
cyanotype-style sun prints using sunlight
and natural materials. This hands-on
activity introduces photography-based
art as a creative way to explore form,
shadow, and patterns found throughout
the refuge landscape. Visitors of all ages
are invited to enjoy this event!
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Nature Book Exchange
Bring nature-themed books to our
community book exchange! Visitors are
invited to swap gently used books on
ecology, conservation, wildlife, native
plants, gardening, birding, natureinspired
art, and other outdoor or
environmental themes. Whether you’re
looking for a new field guide, gardening
inspiration, or a beautiful book to spark
curiosity about the natural world, there’s
something for all ages to discover.
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Tue. September 8
The Nature of Tea: Observing
Nature Through the Art of
Brewing Tea
Join Ranger Dakota for a weekday
edition of this multi-sensory
workshop experience exploring
connections between seasonal
changes in the bosque ecosystem, the
process and ritual of brewing and
tasting tea, and using our senses to
observe the natural world. Tea and
light snacks provided by the Friends
of Valle de Oro. Seats are limited!
Please register by sending an email
to: dakota_dominguez@fws.gov
9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Wed. September 9
Weed Warriors & Ologies
Join Ranger Sierra for a weeding
project where we focus on the
removal of nonnative plant species
on the refuge. Come join the refuge’s
monthly podcast club! While we work,
we will listen to the award winning
OLOGIES podcast by Alie Ward. Join
us for a morning of informative chit
chats with scientists.
7:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Fri. September 11
Nature Kids
*Presented by the Friends of Valle de Oro*
Nature Kids is a free monthly handson
nature program designed for
children who love exploring wildlife,
habitats, ecology, and the outdoors.
Each class includes engaging
activities, crafts, and outdoor
exploration that encourage curiosity,
observation, and a deeper connection
to the natural world.
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Sat. September 19
Macroinvertebrates
Meet Ranger Sierra at the refuge pond to
learn about macroinvertebrates as
bioindicator species, water quality, and
pollution. This event will allow
participants to experience hands on data
collection as we look at the critters
hidden under the surface of our water.
Fun for all ages!
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tue. September 22
Autumn Equinox Plant Walk
Join Ranger Dakota for an easy meander
around the visitor center grounds to
learn about our amazing local native
plants and see who might be blooming
as the weather starts to cool!
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Sat. September 26
De la Calle al Valle: Story Riders
Celebration & Refuge Birthday Party
*Presented by Valle de Oro NWR & Story Riders from the Center of
Southwest Culture, Inc.*
Join us for a celebration of public lands
and the communities that steward
them. Join a Story Riders group bike
ride to the refuge or meet us at the
visitor center for workshops,
performances and fun! Follow the
refuge or Story Riders on social media
for more, or sign up for the Story Riders
news letter for more information as we
get closer to the event!
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM