Friends of Bosque del Apache

10/20/2026

As water becomes more and more precious, Bosque del Apache is striving to make the best use of every drop with a multi-year project of replacing aging, failing water infrastructure. Work began Oct 2, 2026, and we continue to raise funds for this essential project. Many of you helped us to receive two matching grants last spring which allowed the work to begin. With your continued help, we will replace ten key infrastructures and dredge a vital drainage ditch. This work will benefit roughly 645 acres across thirteen wetland areas.

The first cranes are already arriving. Soon tens of thousands of snow geese, sandhill cranes, and myriad ducks and water birds will find shelter and food for the winter here.

Your ongoing love for this special place and your continued support will keep this essential project rolling. Every gift makes a difference. Please join us!

Find information about the project and easy ways to give your gifts here: https://friendsofbosquedelapache.org/water-for-the-wild/

Thank you for all your support!

10/20/2026

10/15/2026

🎉 A CELEBRATION! 🎉 Last Friday, Friends of Bosque del Apache and Bosque del Apache staff gathered with members of the Fiber Arts Guild of Socorro County to celebrate the unveiling of this year's gorgeous quilt.

The Fiber Arts Guild of Socorro County has been donating hand-crafted quilts to Friends of Bosque del Apache since 2016 for us to raffle as a fundraiser during Festival of the Cranes (and once during Spring Migration Celebration). Incredibly, these raffles have generated over $70K in income to support the refuge! Friends has used that money where it is needed most, including maintenance and repair of wetland habitat and essential equipment, bus scholarships, interns, and so much more.

This year’s quilt design is inspired by Leon Miler and his crane paintings.

For information and to buy tickets for this year’s gorgeous quilt raffle, go to: https://secure.friendsofbosquedelapache.org/a/quilt-raffle-26.

Pictured are many celebrants on October 9 - some from Friends staff, some from Refuge staff, and those that could come from the Fiber Arts Guild: Leon Miler (artist whose crane art inspired this year's quilt), Leon's wife - Joy Ann, Heidi Wacker (quilter who contributed to every quilt since the beginning), Lenore Hill (quilter who helped on this year's quilt), Nancy Dotson (quilter who contributed to every quilt since the beginning), and Dee Ramm (Lenore's father).

Not pictured (but very worthy of recognizing) are Norma Lorang and Debi Card (both of whom were originators of the idea and contributed to every quilt since the beginning), Jeri Leaverton (who made last year's Spring Migration Celebration quilt and has contributed to many quilts over the years), Bill and Charli Bailey (artistic contributors over the years), and Bobbi Lucero (who has done magnificent quilting designs on the last few quilts).

Friends of Bosque del Apache continues to be endlessly grateful for the hard work, dedication, amazing talent and creativity, and incredible generosity of the members of the Fiber Arts Guild of Socorro County - THANK YOU!

Get your tickets for this beautiful quilt at: https://secure.friendsofbosquedelapache.org/a/quilt-raffle-26

10/14/2026

FOR THE BIRDS...Bosque del Apache is getting ready for the already-arriving winter migratory sandhill cranes, light and dark geese, and myriad ducks and water birds. Fields are being mowed and will soon be flooded. These fields may look like lakes when flooded, but are only filled with inches of water to provide the ideal habitat and feeding areas for a wide range of birds and wildlife...some are waders, some scoop seed from the edges of bodies of water, some are divers, and they range in size from a few inches to the majestic tall sandhill crane. The refuge works to fulfill all their various needs, which creates the magic of a visit to this beautiful place where you never know what you will see. The first cranes and winter birds are arriving!

Photo at dawn by Claire Revekant

10/13/2026

REGISTRATION FOR FESTIVAL OF THE CRANES OPENS!

MONDAY, October 12, 10 am MDT - registration is open for monthly OASIS members. There's still time to start a monthly donation to join theOASIS!

TUESDAY, October 13, 10 am MDT - registration opens for all other Friends members/donors - give an annual or one-time gift to become a Friends member

WEDNESDAY, October 14, 10 am MDT - registration opens for the general public

Go to the 2026 event schedule at www.festivalofthecranes.org and start making plans to attend!😍 We look forward to seeing you there!

Art by Macey Sigaty

10/13/2026

The first five sandhill cranes were spotted on the refuge last week, as well as a flock of about fifty pelicans. We don't yet know if they were passing through or are still at the refuge. Just know that the magic of Fall migration is beginning and the refuge is getting ready!

All this while essential water infrastructure is being replaced...thanks to your incredible generosity and two matching grants. This is an ongoing project, and you can help! See https://friendsofbosquedelapache.org/water-for-the-wild/ for more information and to add your support.

We hope to see you soon!

10/13/2026

WATER FOR THE WILD construction happening now at Bosque del Apache! Designed to make the most of every drop of water, this project is replacing key but old and failing water infrastructures. Here you see materials being brought in for a headgate and culvert along the summer tour loop extension. You'll get a peek at the new 2-way headgate under construction as well.

Note that there will be occasional road closures as needed. Work is being completed as quickly as possible! For daily closures, please call the Visitor Center the day before or of your visit: 575-835-1828.

This is just the beginning! You can help us fund this year’s project of ten key infrastructures and dredging a major ditch. Please visit https://friendsofbosquedelapache.org/water-for-the-wild/ for more information and to give your support!