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Please click What's New? to get All
the latest Friends' news! This News page includes information on or links to current events, short notices
or articles about Refuge activities, educational events and many other items of interest. |
Refuge 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 a highly acclaimed event, with hundreds of attractions and thousands of visitors, sponsored jointly by the Friends, the City of Socorro, and theBosque del Apache NWR staff. (See Festival Of The Cranes ) The Bosque Nature Store is a Friends' enterprise, and is our major source of funds. 
Beginning as a book store, it now encompasses clothing, jewelry, photos, art work, notecards, childrens' toys,
educational materials and much more. It is located at the Visitor center at the Refuge as well as online
with secure online payment. (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. In coordination with the family of G. Emerson Learn III, the Friends of the Bosque del Apache has 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. 
We are actively working on new and innovative educational projects, and 2012 promises to bring fresh and exciting educational plans with a strong emphasis on increasing awareness and caring for birds, wildlife and the habitat they rely on for their survival which is one of the Friends' primary goals. Our main educational project is E.C.O.L.A.B. (Every Child Outside Learning About Bosque) We, The Friends are partnering with Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio Elementary and Audubon New Mexico for this intensive environmental education program with Friends Environmental Educator, Andrea Harris. The focus of E.C.O.L.A.B. is on on ecosystems of the Bosque del Apache NWR. Through this program, students get a hands on, in depth experience. It is our hope to instill a sense of stewardship and provoke wonder in the natural world to future generations and bosque neighbors. (See Youth Pages ) also Special events sponsored 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. |
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The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 340 San Antonio, New Mexico 87832 Contact Us |
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The Christina Ann Lannan Education Annex is a 2,500 square foot addition to the existing Visitor Center at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. It includes classroom space, ample storage and an entrance foyer/gallery.
More than 2,000 school children visit the refuge each year to participate in curriculum based education activities led by Refuge staff and volunteers. Programs focus on migratory birds, aquatic creatures, the Rio Grande and other topics through hands-on experience.
The Friends offer an exciting Education curriculum to local schools that is based out of the Annex.
The Refuge and Friends offer tours, workshops and other events throughout the year. The Refuge also hosts professional and scientific meetings, training sessions and workshops for agencies, private landowners and other organizations. This annex provides a high quality experience for students of all ages.
Please see also: ECOLAB our current Youth Project!
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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. 
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. 
More than 270 individuals,
service clubs and organizations contributed amounts from $10 to $4,500 to the fund-raising campaign.
Please 
We are also proud to have John Bertrand volunteering on behalf of the Friends!
He was honored as the 2008 National Volunteer of the Year, a National Award presented
by the National Wildlife Refuge Association and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
You can read more about him and the prestigious award by visiting