| Rio Grande Nature Center | |
| Status: | Identified | Area: | 270 acres (110 hectares) |
| County: | Bernalillo | Elevation: | 4968 feet (1514 meters) |
| Town: | Albuquerque | Location: | 35°7.8’N, 106°41.0’W |
| Ownership | New Mexico State Parks, 2901 Candelaria Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107, 505-344-7240 |
| Habitats | Artificial ponds, Cottonwood bosque, Grassland/shrubland |
| Land-use | Nature conservation/research, Nature education, Recreation |
| Threats | Introduced plants, Hydrological changes, Urbanization, Pollution |
| Site Criteria | State research site (D5), State educational site |
| Site Description | Located in
the bosque, or cottonwood forest, and by the wetland bordering the
Rio Grande, the Nature Center is the focus of the Rio Grande Nature Center State
Park. The park offers opportunities to experience 270 acres of woods,
meadows and farmland flourishing with native grasses, wildflowers, willows and
cottonwoods. The Riverwalk Trail is an easy one-mile loop through the bosque and along the river, passing through open meadows and heavily wooded areas. The Bosque Loop Trail, about 0.8 mile, is an easy walk through the bosque with a spur to the river. In the Visitor Center you will find exhibits describing the area and plants, geology and animals. The Observation Room which overlooks the pond, contains a library with publications on birds, herbs, trees, and other aspects of natural history that can be used on the premises. The Candelaria Wetland is located east of the Nature Center, includes two ponds offering five surface acres of water and four more acres of meadow for visiting waterfowl and shorebirds. Planted with 98 species of native aquatic and riparian vegetation, Candelaria Wetland restores habitat once common in the Albuquerque part of the Rio Grande. |
| Birds | Numerous birds make their homes in the park. Birds to be seen in winter are Ring-necked Duck and American Wigeon, Northern Harrier, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Western Meadowlark, Sandhill Crane and Bald Eagle. Summer migrants include warblers, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Black Phoebe and Western Kingbird. Seasonal and year-round residents include Cooper's Hawk, Great-horned Owl, Canada Goose, Ring-necked Pheasant, Wood Duck, Black-capped Chickadee, Great Blue Heron, and Downy and Hairy Woodpecker. |
| Conservation Issues | None serious |
| Conservation Plan | Rio Grande Nature Center Management and Development Plan FY2004-FY2008 |
| Monitor(s) | None assigned |
| Nominator | Steven Cox, 4426 San Isidro NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107, 505-345-2385 |
| Sources | Monitoring records at the RGNC (RGNC) |
| Links |
Rio
Grande Nature Center Friends of Rio Grande Nature Center eBird New Mexico Hot Spot |
| Directions | In Albuquerque, take the Candelaria exit west from I-25 and continue until it dead ends at the Rio Grande Nature Center (on the north side of the road). |
| Species | Year | Status | Population | Sources | Criteria |
| Wood Duck | Resident | 200 individuals average, 309 individuals maximum | RGNC | D1 |
