A Model for Urban Conservation
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge (VdO) stands as one of the most ambitious and inspiring urban conservation projects in the country. Located just south of Albuquerque, the Refuge reimagines what it means to connect people with nature—through equity, access, education, and community stewardship. Founded in 2012 on the grounds of a former commercial dairy farm, Rio Grande Return has been helping transform Valle de Oro from flat alfalfa fields into a rich mosaic of native ecosystems, including wetlands, grasslands, brushlands, and bosque. This transformation is powered by strong partnerships and an innovative, inclusive approach to land management.
The Refuge isn’t just about habitat – it’s about healing relationships between people and land. Valle de Oro balances ecological restoration with public engagement, offering: Environmental education, Youth employment opportunities, community-led stewardship, and accessible green space in an urban setting. It’s a place where conservation and community meet—and grow stronger together.
Rio Grande Return has been a core partner since the Refuge’s early days, helping bring the Valle de Oro Habitat Management Plan to life by: planting native wetland, understory, and bosque vegetation, creating habitat that supports stormwater bio-filtration, improving water quality flowing across the refuge to the Rio Grande, and creating and maintaining vital habitat for wetland-dependent migratory birds, including high-priority waterfowl species. In addition to planting, we provide ongoing vegetation management year-round, including irrigation, weed control, and site care to ensure long-term habitat health.
This work is powered by collaboration. We proudly partner with: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo and Flood Control Authority, Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, Friends of Valle de Oro, and Albuquerque Wildlife Federation. Together, we support long-term monitoring and maintenance, while also inviting the public to participate through volunteer projects and educational events.