The Friends of the Bosque and Bosque del Apache NWR
are proud to present the following programs for 2010.
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 23nd Annual Festival of the Cranes November Nov 16-21, 2010)
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. All 2007, 2008 and 2009 posters are are all available here: Event Posters! and 2010 posters are available just below (when completed)

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
2010 Educational Events

Nov, 2009 to Feb, 2010
Saturdays from 1pm-3pm
Sundays 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.

February 13, 6:15am - 4:30pm
Jerry Goffe- Bosque Lounge.
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 photo gear for people to use. We’ll also have a Canon 13 X 19 inch color printer so everyone can take home a print or two of their images created during the workshop. Bring your camera, instruction manual, media (memory) cards or film (what’s film?), tripod, lunch, water and proper clothing (layers).

Please call 575-835-1828 for reservations.

Merkel Hike pdf full resolution Poster for download 1.6MB

March 13, 9 a.m.
Bob Merkel - San Antonio Firehouse
Quebradas Curved Cliff Hike (limit 15 participants, reservations required)

A most interesting scenic arroyo east of the Quebradas Scenic Backcountry Byway leads to an area covered by gypsum rock, with a high sandstone cliff looming over, and with a wide variety of desert plants along the way. The round trip hike is about 4 miles; more to climb above the cliff. Leader Bob Merkel will talk about Rio Grande rift geology as well as the plants and animals of our Chihuahuan desert. Meet at 9 a.m. at the US 380 parking area@ San Antonio Firehouse E. Of I-25. We will carpool from San Antonio. High clearance strongly recommended, 4WD would be nice. Bring sun protection, snacks, water, camera, binoculars.

Please call 575-835-1828 for reservations.

 

Sun, Stars and Bird Migration with Amy Estelle
pdf full resolution Poster for download 3.1MB

April 17, 7:30 p.m.
Amy Estelle - Visitor Center
Sun, Stars and Bird Migration with Amy Estelle

For millennia humans have navigated by the stars. Today we rely on MapQuest and GPS to find our way. Many bird species migrate long distances seasonally. What triggers their migration? How do they find their way? Are the stars involved?

Join naturalist and amateur astronomer Amy Estelle for a closer look at bird migration and the stars that may guide them. Meet at the Visitor Center. After an introduction to the topic, visitors will caravan to an astronomical observing site on the refuge where telescopes and star charts will be available.

This program is limited to 35 people, ages 10 and above, please. To make reservations call 575 835 -1828. Bring a flashlight.

 

May 8, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Daniel Perry - Visitor Center
International Migratory Bird Day Celebration

Come and enjoy Springtime in the Bosque and International Migratory Bird Day on your National Wildlife Refuge.

The Bosque Springtime and International Migratory Bird Day Celebration will be May 8th. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge will be offering two activities each limited to 24 people. Call 575-835-1828 for reservations. Please indicate if you are signing up for one activity or both.

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 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 24people (bus capacity).

June 5, 07:30a.m.-2:30p.m.
Celestyn Brozek - Visitor Center
Intriguing and beautiful art of the bird nest.

Before noon, we will spend a time around the refuge looking for birds. Please, join us at Visitor Center at 7:30 AM. We will drive to the refuge and come back for lunch at noon. We will be looking for birds with a focus on breeding behavior and, possibly for nests. The program will start at 1:00 PM in a classroom at the Visitor Center. Fascinating details of nest construction and structure among the birds at the Refuge and elsewhere will be discussed and illustrated with photographs and video clips. Celestyn Brozek is a life-long birder, instructor of college ornithology courses, birding guide, and naturalist. He has been living in New Mexico for over 20 years and made several hundred visits to Bosque del Apache. Bring a sack lunch, snack, water, sunscreen, hat, and Binoculars. Limited to 15 persons, reservations required: 575-835-1828

Lepidopportunity pdf full resolution Poster for download 1.6MB

Sat., June 19, 9:30 a.m.
Steve Cary - Visitor Center and Marsh Trail
Lepidopportunity

The hot days of June have brought out a kaleidoscope of colorful butterflies. (Socorro County has some 124 species on its official list.) There may be no better place to observe them than right here on Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., Steve Cary, Chief Naturalist for New Mexico's State Parks and author of the newly published Butterfly Landscapes of New Mexico will lead an hour-long butterfly walk led by Cary on the Marsh Trail. The walk is limited to 30 participants (call 575-835-1828); wear shade hat, apply sunscreen and insect repellant, bring close-focusing binoculars if you have them. The field walk is followed by an illustrated classroom program and book signing open to all from 10:30 a.m. in the visitor center.

July 10, 7:00-11:30 a.m.
Bill Talbot - Visitor 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 will give a slide presentation at the close of the day inside the visitor center. Your hummingbird identifying skills will be sharpened and improved through this easily understood classroom setting

Download Poster

August 14, 8am
Gary Froehlich
Little Things that Rule the World with Gary Froehlich

The first wingless insects appeared on Earth over 400 million years ago during the Devonian Period. By the Carboniferous Period, some 350 million years ago, they had evolved wings and had begun to expand into nearly every ecological niche. Today there are more kinds of insects in the world than all other kinds of animals combined. It should be no surprise, then, that there are insects we regard as beautiful, as pests, as fascinating, as frightening, and even as necessary for our existence.

This workshop's goal is to expose you to this fascinating world of insects, to share their beauty, to describe some of their extraordinary survival strategies, and to reveal some of their mysteries. There will also be considerable discussion on their identification. Following the slides and discussion, we will go into the field to find and observe several of the species present at the refuge. For the field-trip portion of the workshop, bring close-focusing binoculars if you have them, as well as insect repellent protection from mosquitoes.
No limit; To make reservations call 575-835-1828

September 25 , 7:30 p.m.
Amy Estelle - Visitor Center
The Science and Myth of the Moon with Amy Estelle

The Moon has inspired poetry, song, and stories. But what do we really know about the Earth’s only natural satellite?

Join amateur astronomer Amy Estelle for a closer look at the science and myth of the Moon. Create your own map of the Moon and learn how it affects life on Earth.

Meet at the Visitor Center. After an introduction to the topic, visitors will caravan to an astronomical observing site on the refuge where telescopes and binoculars will be available.

This program is limited to 35 people, ages 8 and above, please. To make reservations call 575 835 -1828. Bring a flashlight.

 

October 9, 8am-11am
Bob Merkel - Canyon Trail head
Canyon Trail After The Monsoon Rains

This walk will be led by naturalist Bob Merkel on and near the Canyon Trail. It is a moderate 2-1/4 miles from the very sandy arroyo plain, up to the bajada, through Solitude Canyon with its spectacular geology, and back along the arroyo bottom. Each area has its own assortment of scenic features, including views of the Rio Grande rift valley and volcanic mountains. When the canyon rocks were deposited as sands and gravels some 10,000,000 years ago, the climate here was also hot and dry. Sometimes it was SO dry that big sand dunes formed, while at other times the area was doused by flash floods.
If 2010 is a wet year for Bosque del Apache, the profusion of wildflowers will be mind-blowing. Even if it's dry, we'll see 50 or more different species of plants. A plant list will be provided. Meet along NM Rte-1 south of the headquarters at the Canyon Trail head.

Limit 20 participants, reservations required. Please call 575-835-1828 for reservations.

November 16-21
Our Wonderful and highly Acclaimed Festival Of The Cranes
Workshops, special tours, interesting events, lectures, fine art and photography, a variety of exhibitors and more. Our keynote speaker will be Joel Sartore..see Festival site for details, and for Updates, News, Schedule (when finalized) and more at: FestivaloftheCranes.com

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

© 1996-2010 by The Friends of the Bosque National WildlifeRefuge, All Rights Reserved
All photos and graphics are under copyright by the artists and photographers. Photos & Graphics ©Sandy Seth, ©Wally Newman
Please do not use without permission!