Nature enthusiast will be pleased to experience a wildlife preserve located three miles from the heart of Albuquerque. New visitors will giggle with delight as if they had stumbled upon a secret oasis, the Rio Grande Nature Center. The center and preserve opened in 1982. It boasts 166 acres of enchanting wilderness that plays host to an abundant variety of Bosque wildlife.
New Mexico and Albuquerque first began the cooperative efforts to protect the Bosque’s environment beginning in the late 1960’s. Decades later, Albuquerque is able to enjoy the fruitful success of an environmental project that protects the Bosque’s natural habitat and in hand offers the public a look into the preserve's educational, ecological, recreational and agricultural values.
The Rio Grande Nature Center’s main building features exhibits that showcase a wide range of subjects including the geological history of the Bosque area and the Bosque’s natural wildlife habitats. The center’s library overlooks one of its three ponds enabling visitors to witness the preserve’s wildlife which consists of turtles, muskrats, perhaps snakes, and a variety of land and water birds such as, Red winged blackbirds, grebes, kingfishers, mallards, wood ducks and even Canada geese.
The best way to spend time at the Rio Grande Nature Center, of course, is to hike the trails which eventually lead you to the riverbank. Visitors are able to walk in a woodland containing one of the most magnificent remaining stands of Rio Grande cottonwood trees in the world. These historic trees reach heights of 50 to 100feet tall forming a rich green canopy over the Bosque Riverbank. Also, towering over aquatic plants such as cattails, watercress, salt grasses and thick bunches of low growing shrubs are native trees consisting of willows, and Russian olive, and tamarisk.
The hike along the trail to the riverbank is joyous but once you arrive you have the opportunity for a peaceful scenic moment. The Rio Grande Nature Center is another Albuquerque memorable discovery and experience that visitors and locals will treasure.
Rio Grande Nature Center
Sheri Brewer
Lodging & Hospitality Expert
