The Friends of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife refuge work on behalf of birds and wildlife, helping to protect the critically important habitat of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, and helping to educate and inform the public about the value and beauty of all life at the Bosque.

We're a friendly group of people who love the
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

The Friends of the Bosque del Apache NWR are people from all over the country who enjoy the seasons and cycles of the natural world. The sandhill cranes, snow geese, and many other migratory birds who winter at the Bosque especially call to us. As Friends of the Bosque, we help safeguard and enhance the habitats necessary for these birds and all the wildlife here to thrive.

We want to continue to have opportunities to observe and learn about plants, birds and other wildlife. And by supporting the Refuge, we can do our part to assure that future generations will have the possibility to connect with the wonder of life here. (See About the Refuge)

The Friends were organized in 1993 to publish a Refuge paper, needed to inform visitors about the Refuge. (Federal regulations at the time prevented the Refuge staff from publishing.) The "Habitat" is issued annually, with 40,000 copies in 2004, full color, 16 pages and full of photos. The Friends finance this, and John Bertrand, a Friends member, is the publisher.

In May 2007, the Friends of the Bosque successfully purchased the 6,272 foot Chupadera Peak and the surrounding 140 acres and added it to the Refuge. More than 270 individuals, service clubs and organizations contributed amounts from $10 to $4,500 to the fund-raising campaign. Please read more about the amazing accomplishment of purchasing this 140 acre tract which provides a buffer zone for the peak and the adjoining Chupadera Wilderness.

We are also proud to have John Bertrand volunteering on behalf of the Friends! He is the 2008 National Volunteer of the Year, a National Award presented by the National Wildlife Refuge Association and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. This is a tremendous honor. You can read more about him and the award by visiting National Volunteer of the Year Thank you, John for all your help!

The Friends also publish a newsletter, called the "Bosque Watch", every two months, distributed to all members. The Bosque Watch (See Newsletters ) is intended to inform and entertain, while offering all members an opportunity to speak out. It is on this web site.

Educational events for the public, free of charge, have been a major effort for years. These range from workshops on crane behavior, hummingbirds and migration, to nature walks, photography, watercolor, astronomy, and herpetology. Guided tours on the Refuge are offered each weekend during the winter, some led by Friends. (See Educational Events )

We provide educational and interpretive materials to the visiting public. All activities must be either charitable, educational or scientific. But that leaves plenty of room for variety.

The annual Festival of the Cranes is now a six-day extravaganza, with hundreds of attractions and thousands of visitors, sponsored jointly by the Friends, the City of Socorro, and the Bosque del Apache NWR staff. (See Festival Of The Cranes )

The Refuge Nature Store is a Friends enterprise, and their major source of funds. Beginning as a book store, it now encompasses clothing, jewelry, photos, art work and sundries. (Bosque Nature Store )

The education of youth about nature and environmental topics is also a major effort, financed by the Friends. Youth are brought to the Refuge from by bus from the schools. (See Youth Pages )

Our main ongoing educational project is our Mapping the Rio Grande,Rio Grande Watershed Curriculum Elementary School Education Project, and is a great and innovative program, which has met with great acclaim (kids LOVE it!) We have a complete web site so please visit! We would appreciate any help you can give us so we can continue the project.

Special events sponsered by the Friends have included a Career Day on National Wildlife Refuges, to which all New Mexico High School students were invited; the annual meeting of a national photography organization, and cooperative efforts with area attractions.

Please see our Online Library of Articles which has a growing number of Articles of Interest.

The Friends sponsor this web site, offering up-to-date information, wonderful photos and links to related sites. Don't forget to check What's New? on our main page for information on or links to current events, short notices or articles about Refuge activities, including educational events, and other items of interest.