THE PLACE: For 25 years, Albuquerque Wildlife Federation has been hosting projects in the Valle Vidal. Until 1982, this portion of the Carson National Forest was in private hands, but many years of effort to acquire it for the American public paid off. From the beginning, AWF has been a partner in its restoration.
Valle Vidal is a place of high mountain meadows, slopes filled with aspen and fir, ponderosa covered mesas, and clear flowing streams. Wildlife is abundant here, including New Mexico’s largest elk herd. Most people learned of the Valle Vidal when the looming threat of coal bed methane development raised its profile. A high-pitched grass roots effort lead to protection for the area through a legislative mineral withdrawal, keeping the drill rigs at bay.

THE PROJECT: Comanche Creek (which flows out of Valle Vidal’s mountainous west side) has been the project area for many years. This year, the plan is to move to the east side which is dominated by mesas covered with meadows and ponderosa forests. We’ll be in the heart of the area that was threatened with industrial development. For the Service Project, we will be building rock structures in arroyos to aid in riparian restoration.

MEALS: Volunteers will be need to pack their own for Friday dinner, Saturday lunch, and Sunday breakfast. NMWA will provide breakfast burritos for Saturday breakfast. There will be a potluck on Saturday evening. Bring an appetizer, side dish, or dessert to share. AWF will grill hamburgers, veggie burgers, and brats and provide all the fixin’s.

Maximum participants: 40
Driving distance: 4.5 hours N of ABQ;
2 hours NE of Taos