Campaign aims to secure water future for Bosque del Apache

A new fundraising campaign is underway to help protect the wetlands and wildlife habitat at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, where water is the lifeblood of one of New Mexico’s most celebrated ecosystems.

The Friends of Bosque del Apache has launched an effort to raise $75,000 by April 1 to support water infrastructure and habitat management at the refuge. If the group reaches that goal, a $25,000 matching grant could boost the total funds available to support the refuge’s work.

Executive Director Deb Caldwell said water management is central to everything that happens at the refuge.

“Water is life in the desert, and Bosque del Apache is no exception,” Caldwell said. “We need water for our wetlands, for the habitat that supports wildlife, and for the work we do throughout the year to prepare for the migratory birds that arrive each winter.”

Located south of Socorro along the Rio Grande, the refuge was established primarily to provide winter habitat for migratory birds. Each year, staff prepare fields and wetlands months in advance—planting vegetation, managing soil and carefully flooding areas so birds will have food and habitat when they arrive.

Instead of traditional crops like corn, which require large amounts of water, refuge staff manage “moist soil units.” These areas grow natural vegetation that later becomes both food and habitat when the wetlands are flooded.

“Everything has to be ready when the birds come,” Caldwell said. “All year long the staff are working the land, irrigating and preparing the wetlands. When the migration begins, the habitat is there waiting for them.”

The refuge also supports several endangered species that rely on riparian habitat, including the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse, the yellow-billed cuckoo and the southwestern willow flycatcher.

However, Caldwell said increasingly dry conditions, rising temperatures and reduced federal funding have made water management more challenging.

“With low rainfall, less water in the river and increasing temperatures, it’s kind of the perfect storm,” she said. “The refuge staff does an amazing job with limited resources to keep the habitat functioning for wildlife.”

Funds raised through the campaign will help maintain and upgrade water-control structures, support equipment needed to manage wetlands and remove invasive species, and ensure the refuge can continue delivering water to critical habitats.

Caldwell said community support is essential to meeting fundraising goals.

“Every dollar counts,” she said. “We’re asking people who care about Bosque del Apache and the wildlife that depends on it to help keep the water flowing.”

Donations can be made through the Friends of Bosque del Apache website at https://friendsofbosquedelapache.org/water-for-the-wild/.