How to Discover More About New Mexico Wildlife

New Mexico's geography, with both mountains and flat land, supports a diverse group of wildlife and New Mexico has some of the finest wildlife refuges in North America. Although the state has instituted programs to protect wildlife habitats, many of the indigenous wildlife are in danger of extinction.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

1. Start at Bosque del Apache, a bird-watcher's paradise and national wildlife refuge located in Socorro County. Visit in the fall when many thousands of birds descend upon the Rio Grande. Bosque del Apache is considered one of the most astounding wildlife refuges in the country. Information about the various programs, events and activities is available by calling [phone] or checking their Web site (see Resources below).

2. Read about the New Mexico Wildlife Federation (see Resources below), the first association organized in New Mexico for the purpose of protecting and defending wildlife. They engage in legislative lobbying for the welfare of wildlife and collaborate with the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish to enforce responsible hunting and fishing. The NMWF works to keep wildlife habitats free from intrusion by business, farmers and ranchers, and educates New Mexico's youth on the importance of protecting wildlife habitats.

3. Visit The Wildlife Center (see Resources below), whose mission is to have people and wildlife coexist to ensure the preservation of wildlife habitats. They educate people to respect the environment and about the contribution wildlife makes to the ecosystem. The Wildlife Center also cares for injured animals and releases them into the wild once they are rehabilitated.

4. Make your way to the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, housing some of the most unique animals in all of New Mexico. Bitter Lake crosses the Pecos River and is both a desert and a wetland oasis. Along with an unusual population of wildlife, there are over 80 types of dragonflies.

5. Immerse yourself in wildlife at the Wildlife West Nature Park just a short distance from Albuquerque. Covering 122 acres, the park protects plants and wildlife indigenous to New Mexico. Wildlife West Nature Park is sponsored by the New Mexico Wildlife Association and was created to conduct research, provide education and to protect New Mexico's wildlife.

Tips & Warnings

• New Mexico is home to mule, deer, coyotes, prairie dogs, mountain lions, black bears, elk, bighorn sheep, mink, muskrats and bobcats, 300 types of birds and many other species of insects and reptiles.
• The National Wildlife Federation has a great Web site (see Resources below) with a feature just for kids.