Thank New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard for championing our public lands.
The Southwest’s first urban wildlife refuge is set to gain 212 acres of state trust land.
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge was designated as the Southwest’s first urban wildlife refuge a decade ago. The refuge is located 30 minutes from half of New Mexico’s population – 20 minutes from downtown Albuquerque – and provides essential outdoor access to communities that historically have had less access to nature.
New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard, supported by organizations like WRA, the Pueblo of Isleta, and state agencies, agreed to transfer 212 acres of state trust land to Valle de Oro, which would grow the refuge by nearly half and add important forested land that will protect habitat for native and migratory birds.
The refuge hosts over 6,000 students, offers more than 100 paid jobs to youth and organizes more than 20 community events annually.
