Friends of the Northern New Mexico National Wildlife Refuges

20/06/2026

Our trail cameras out at Rio Mora NWR catch wildlife not nearly as much as swaying grasses, but when they do it can take our biologists and wildlife by surprise!

This young mountain lion was out on the hunt when it came upon our trail camera and got a great portrait taken. These mammals have great vision hunting for prey, including mice and rabbits, in the early morning or evening hours.

Photo Description: A young mountain lion looking at a refuge trail camera, USFWS.

16/06/2026

08/06/2026

2024!!

08/06/2026

We had a great Summerfest ‘26 out at the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge! Thanks to all the NWR staff, our visiting partners, the Friends Group Board Members, the exhibitors, the students that entered the art completion, Starbucks, Abraham’s Tiendita, Daylight Donuts, singers Laura Stack & Reynaldo Maestas, and all the volunteers!! Photos by Cressandra Thibodeaux.

05/06/2026

We are so happy that they are here!

04/06/2026

Formerly the Friends of Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge, the newly rejuvenated Friends group works together to help assist and promote the National Wildlife Refuges of Northern New Mexico. This includes Las Vegas, Maxwell and Rio Mora NWRs.

02/06/2026

In total we had 240 entries into the Las Vegas NWR drawing contest, and we were so excited to see all the different AMAZING artwork we received. Winners will receive their prize bag, sponsored by the Friends of the Northern NM National Wildlife Refuges, at the Award Ceremony on June 6th, 2026, at 12:30pm. We loved every piece and even if the student did not place in an award, we are offering participation awards for any student that participated in the contest and attends the award ceremony. All artwork will be on display for all to see within our Visitor Center! Please be sure to attend your family and friends!

Contest Winners (to find out your prize place, please attend the event!):
Mariah R. (Mike Mateo)
Leandro S. (Los Ninos)
Jaylah R. (Los Ninos)
Zachary M. (Los Ninos)
Andres C. (Mike Mateo)
Lynch E. (Los Ninos)
Avery J. (Los Ninos)
Jesus S. (Anton Chico)
Arturo V. R. (Los Ninos)
Arianna G. (Los Ninos)
Kaylee R. (Los Ninos)
Mae E. (Los Ninos)
Cole J. (Los Ninos)
Jacob B. (Mike Mateo)
Cormac C. (Mike Mateo)
Ana R. (Valley Elementary)
Aliana M. (LV Christian Academy)
Liana M. (Sierra Vista)
Izabella S. (Sierra Vista)
Zelda C. (Valley Elementary)
Hailey J. (Sierra Vista)
DelAmor G. (West Las Vegas Middle)
Cristoval G.-M. (West Las Vegas Middle)
Jazelle M. B.-C. (West Las Vegas Middle)

We are so excited to see our winners and participants at the event once again this year! Feel free to share this with anyone you may know that had students in the contest and would like to know the results.

Driving Directions from Grand and University intersection - Take university until it merges into HWY 104 for about one and a half miles. Turn south on State Highway 281 for about four miles and follow the signs to the refuge headquarters.

02/06/2026

We said goodbye to two fantastic RV volunteers Mark & Lynette Hunter, they were with us for three months and did incredible work. Also pictured is the indomitable LVNWR staffer Alyssa Lu and hardworking Friends Board Member Lauri Costello.

27/05/2026

Birds need them. People love them. But without more money, these vital sanctuaries can't serve wildlife or the public like they're supposed to.