The Friends of the Bosque and Bosque del Apache NWR
are proud to present the following programs for 2008.

All special events and workshops listed on this page are free and open to the public (except for some of the workshops and events during the 21st Annual Festival of the Cranes November Nov 18-23, 2008)
Many of these events require reservations, and we do we recommend that you confirm the time and date in advance.

For reservations, information, confirmation or updates please call: 575-835-1828 Bosque del Apache NWR Visitor Center. We keep all the events for the full year on this page so you can see there are exciting things happening year round, so be sure to scroll down to the current month! (Of course, birds and wildlife are here year round, and for lists, information and locations, please click Birds & Wildlife All Seasons)

If you wish to print the color posters for any event, please click on the link below the small poster image on this page (if you do not see the poster for the event you are interested in, please check back closer to the date of the event) 2007 and 2008 posters are are all available here: Event Posters!

2008 Schedule of Events & Programs

Nov-Feb, 2008
Sat. & Sun. from 9:00am - 11am
Bosque del Apache NWR Visitor's Center

Free Weekend Tours
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
To help visitors enjoy thousands of cranes, geese and other birds wintering at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, the refuge has scheduled a series of Saturday and Sunday General Refuge Guided Tours in December, January and February.
These two-hour tours give participants the opportunity to visit the Refuge with a knowledgeable guide.
The tours will be offered every Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m.
There is no charge for these outings which will be conducted in Refuge vans.
Capacity is limited to 10 participants, and reservations will be taken at (575) 835-1828.

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Wildlife Photography at the Bosque Poster
(download poster image to print 8.5"X11"- color pdf 1.2MB)
February 16
Saturday from 6:15am-4:30pm
Bosque del Apache NWR Visitor's Center

Wildlife Photography
(limit 20 participants, reservations required)
Photographer and naturalist Jerry Goffe and his co-instructors will provide an overview on wildlife and nature photography followed by a hands-on experience on the Refuge. Techniques and tips will be utilized while photographing the Sandhill Cranes, Geese, landscape and other animals of the refuge. Canon will be supplying some advanced point-and-shoot cameras and flash units for people to use if the want or need to. Bring your camera, instruction manual, media (memory) cards or film, tripod, lunch and water.

Sorry, the Workshop is FULL
Wildlife Photography Poster (download- color pdf 1.2MB)
See all Event Posters!

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Ducks of the Bosque - Identification and Behavior
(download poster image to print 8.5"X11"- color pdf 1MB)
March 29
Saturday from 10 am-4 pm
Bosque del Apache NWR Visitor's Center

Ducks of the Bosque - Identification and Behavior
(limit 20 participants, reservations required)
Fifteen different duck species can be present at the refuge in March. They are easy to spot and study. One and a half hour presentation at the beginning of the workshop (10:00 - 11:30 AM) will provide a "crush course" in duck identification by color and shape, including confusing females. The interpretation of the duck's elaborate displays will be also discussed. After half an hour break, we will drive into the refuge and spend several hours observing ducks, their behavior and practice identification skills. Celestyn Brozek is a life-long birder, instructor of college ornithology courses, birding guide, naturalist and photographer. Please call 575-835-1828 for reservations.

Ducks! Poster (download- color pdf 1MB)
See all Event Posters!

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Click here to download this color poster for printing (1 MB)

April 26
Saturday at 7:30 pm

Meet at the Bosque del Apache NWR Visitor's Center
Star Stories from Around the World with Amy Estelle
Everyone alive today has ancestors. What did our ancestors name the stars and constellations? Join amateur astronomer Amy Estelle and turn back time on some of the most familiar spring constellations to discover their diverse histories from cultures around the world. From a celestial bear hunt to a people's journey to find a homeland, these stories will fascinate and entertain. As a special bonus, visitors will take home star charts and observe the evening planets Mars and Saturn through telescopes. For ages 8 and up.

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Click here to download this color poster for printing (1.6MB)

April 26
Saturday from 8am - 11am
Meet at the Canyon Trailhead on NM-1

Flowers that bloom in the Spring, Tra La
(limit 25 participants, reservations required)
This walk will be led by naturalist Bob Merkel on and near the Canyon Trail. It is a moderate 2 ? miles from the sandy arroyo plain, up to the bajada, through the canyon and its exposed geology, and back along the arroyo bottom . Each area has its own assortment of scenic features and plant life which varies throughout the growing season. Bring water, sun protection, hiking shoes, camera, bug spray (just in case) . Please call 575-835-1828 for reservations.

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Click here to download this color poster for printing (1.1MB)

Please Join us For A Celebration!
Friends of the Bosque del Apache NWR present:
Mapping the Rio
Children's Art, Science & Photography Exhibit
Reception: May 9th, 2008 at 6:30PM
Exhibit will be on display:
April 28th through May 19th, 2008
Macey Center Art Gallery
New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM

In conjunction with NM Wild Film Series
5/5/08 7:30pm - Rio Grande, River of Connection, A Documentary
5/12/08 7:30pm - Short Films, including Why Wilderness, Wolf, Otero Mesa & More
5/19/08 7:30pm -The Milagro Beanfield War

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Click here to download this color poster for printing (1 MB)

May 10
Saturday from 8am-4pm
Bosque del Apache NWR Visitor's Center

International Migratory Bird Day Celebration
The Bosque Springtime and International Migratory Bird Day Celebration will be May 10th. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge will be offering three activities each limited to 24 people. Call 575-835-1828 for reservations. Please indicate if you are signing up for one activity or all three.
Beginning at 8:00 Naturalists will lead a one-hour "birdwalk" around the grounds of the visitor center including the arboretum looking for migratory birds such as warblers, orioles, kingbirds, etc. Beginning birders are welcome to join the group.
From 10:00-2:00 an "arboretum" visit with emphasis on cactus propagation by cuttings will be offered. We will also teach you how to harvest nopals (cactus pads) for nopalitos and how to prepare them. During this time we will break for lunch (bring your own) and give you an opportunity to sample nopalitos prepared in various ways. We will then continue the arboretum tour with desert plant identification and how to plant cacti from plants and cuttings.
From 2:00 - 4:00, a "Refuge Tour" in the refuge bus on the refuge to see migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. This activity is limited to 24 people (bus capacity).
Come and enjoy Springtime in the Bosque and International Migratory Bird Day on your National Wildlife Refuge.

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June 7
Saturday from 8am-4pm
Bosque del Apache NWR Visitor's Center

Hummingbird banding with Bill Talbot
Join in with the Bosque del Apache and attend this unique experience capturing and banding hummingbirds that call this reserve home during the spring and summer months. Enjoy the opportunity to gaze upon these small birds as Bill diligently works with them noting measurements, conditions, sex & age. An added bonus to this expedition may include hearing the beat of their tiny but powerful heart, or a touch of exhilaration at a chance to release back into freedom one of New Mexico's most enchanted creatures.
Bill's will give a slide presentation at the close of each day inside the visitor center. Your hummingbird identifying skills will be sharpened and improved through this easily understood classroom setting

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July 26
Saturday from 9am-12pm
Visitor Center

Damsels and dragons at Bosque del Apache - Gary Froehlick
Damsels and dragons -- or rather damselflies and dragonflies -- are familiar to everyone. Learn more about the fascinating lives of these engaging and important creatures; when, where, and how to look for them; and how to identify the various species that occur at Bosque del Apache and elsewhere in NM. Following the slides and discussion, interested participants may reconvene at one or two of the better locations on the refuge for field observations of the Bosque's "dragons and damsels". (Bring mosquito repellant and, if you have them, close-focusing binoculars.)

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August 23
Saturday from 9am-12pm
Bosque del Apache NWR Visitor's Center

Invertebrate Atlantis: The Amazing World of Aquatic Insects
Leigh Ann Vradenburg will show you a world that you may never have known existed- that of insects and other invertebrates living underwater and providing a vital link in the aquatic food chain. Learn about various invertebrates found at the refuge and their role as predator and prey in wetland dynamics. Leigh Ann will demonstrate sampling techniques and explain the use of aquatic insects as indicators of water quality. You will work with the equipment and microscopes to explore the humble beginnings of dragonflies, mosquitoes, beetles, and many other insects that we see at the refuge on a summer's day. Leigh Ann will also have her personal collection on display so that you can see the diversity of aquatic insects from the Midwest and Southern United States. Bring a hat and sunscreen for the field trip. Participation limited to 20 persons. Reservations required; please call 575-835-1828.

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Sept 20
Saturday at 7:30 pm
Meet at the Bosque del Apache NWR Visitor's Center

Window on the Universe with Amy Estelle
(limit 45 participants, reservations required)
We are all space travelers and our spacecraft is the living planet Earth. Looking out our window on a moonless night we can see planets, star clusters, galactic arms, bright and dark nebulae. Join amateur astronomers for a night with telescopes and binoculars. We'll look at the obvious (Jupiter and the Milky Way) and the obscure (Uranus and Neptune) from some of the darkest skies around. For ages 10 and up.

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Oct 13
Saturday at 7:30pm
Bosque del Apache NWR Visitor's Center

Artists' Reception
Meet those who record the Bosque's beauty.

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Nov 18-23, 2008
Tues. - Sat. from 1-4pm
Bosque del Apache NWR Visitor's Center and other venues

The 21st Annual Festival of the Cranes
For information or updates please call: 575-835-1828

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Friends of The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 340 San Antonio, New Mexico 87832 505-838-2120 Contact Us