Emerson Learn Bus Scholarship Endowment
In coordination with the family of G. Emerson Learn III, the Friends of the Bosque del Apache have established the Emerson Learn Bus Scholarship Endowment. Through this endowment started in Emerson's memory, the Friends have created a permanent fund to provide stipends for New Mexico schools to visit the Refuge.Friends of the Bosque del Apache
Emerson and his wife, Cheryl, first visited and got hooked on the Bosque del Apache NWR in 1993. They became involved in the Friends of the Bosque and Emerson served as President for five years starting in 1995. As the Friends evolved as an organization, Emerson spearheaded the plans to enhance the Visitor Center, a plan which finally came to fruition in 2006 with the completion of the Christina Ann Lannan Educational Annex. Emerson was also known for his excellent birding skills and the popular Beginning and Black Belt Birding tours that he led during recent Festivals. The Friends will remember Emerson and miss him for his enthusiasm, leadership, and many other fine qualities that have touched us all over the years. He gave countless tours of the Refuge and his enthusiasm got a myriad of people greatly interested in birding as well as the Refuge itself.
Our bus scholarship program, which has been active for several years, allows more than 500 students and teachers to visit each year. Now thanks to the recognition of the Learn family, we will be able to ensure that this crucial funding will remain available in this time of rising gas prices. We know that without this funding many schools would not be able to make this educational trip in the coming years, and we believe that a guided tour by one of the Refuge staff or trained volunteers is an invaluable experience for these children.
Although we are on our way to establishing the principal of the endowment, we still need your help. Please help us to continue to share this valuable resource with future generations by making your tax deductible gift. For more information or to make a donation, write, call or donate online at: Friends of the Bosque Secure Online Donations, Memberships & more
School Bus Tours
Educators- Don’t miss an opportunity for your students to experience one of New Mexico’s most fascinating natural resources
The Friends of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is pleased to offer bus scholarships
to defray some of the travel costs to visit the Refuge. Schools that arrange a tour with Refuge staff or volunteers
are automatically eligible to receive a scholarship by just filling out the Bus Scholarship Application (pdf file)
- Each touring school can receive up to $250 in reimbursement for travel costs.
- Knowledgeable tour guides and presenters are available at no cost.
- We can do grade and subject-appropriate presentations to support your curriculum objectives.
- The Refuge is open year-round.
- November 1 – February 15 is the most popular time to visit the Refuge because of the tens of thousands
of Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese, and ducks. Volunteer tour guides are available 7 days a week during this period.- Presentations and tours can focus on whatever the season has to offer. Spring, summer and fall can also be great
times at the Bosque and can showcase subjects such as ecosystems, the food web, birds, flowers, and aquatics.
- Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge- Just 20 miles south of Socorro off of NM Hwy 1
