Did You Know?
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Cottonwoods Along the Corrlaes Bosque
© Harold Malde
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The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with other organizations, has helped to protect a variety of places you know and love. During this holiday season, why not visit one of these sites and enjoy all that nature has to offer.
§ the 400-acre Corrales Bosque Preserve. Now managed by the Village of Corrales, this 7.8 mile preserve offers the best-known example of middle Rio Grande broadleaf deciduous forest. The Preserve also provides habitat for more than 180 species of migrating and nesting birds.
§ the volcanoes west of Albuquerque and Boca Negra Cave. Formed over 100,000 years ago, the volcanoes were the dynamic finale to a series of fissure eruptions that coated the surrounding landscape in a basalt caprock. The park is managed by National Park Service. To access the volcanoes exit I-40 at Paseo del Vulcan (exit 149) and travel north 4.8 miles to park access.
§ § the 20,400-acre Edward Sargent Fish and Wildlife near Chama. Wildlife viewing, high aspen meadows, grassy vales, the official state
offi elk herd, trout fishing. North and adjacent to Chama off N.M. 17 and U.S. 64/84.
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Edward Sargent Wildlife Area © Harold Malde
§ Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge nine miles northeast of Roswell, NM. One of the more biologically significant wetland areas of the Pecos River watershed system. From Roswell, take U.S. 380 (Second Street) east about three miles to a refuge sign at Red Bridge Road. Or take U.S. 285 (Main Street) north to Pine Lodge Road. From the turnoff, it is about seven miles to refuge headquarters, following directional signs.
§ San Andres National Wildlife Refuge 30 miles northeast of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The mountain range, which lies within the northernmost extension of the Chihuahuan Desert, rises to an elevation of 8,229 feet at San Andres peak. Refuge habitats vary from creosote and Chihuahuan desert grasslands in the bajadas to pinyon-juniper woodlands on the mountaintops. Presently the Refuge supports the largest population of State-listed endangered desert bighorn sheep in New Mexico. 
§ Dripping Springs Natural Area in the Organ Mountains. The area has over four miles of easy hiking trails, including the Dripping Springs Trail, which shows off desert scrub and low elevation pinon-juniper and oak woodlands. The area also boasts excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, including excellent year-round viewing of red-tailed hawk, Gambel’s quail, golden eagle and rock squirrel.Located 10 miles east of Las Cruces, on the west side of the Organ Mountains. From Exit 1 on Interstate 25, take University Avenue/Dripping Springs Road east to the end.
§ Picacho Peak outside of Las Cruces, NM.
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