Ribbon cutting and pollinator celebration set for August 16 at Bosque del Apache

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge will host a ribbon cutting and summer pollinator celebration on Saturday, August 16, marking a milestone in local conservation efforts and inviting the public to explore a newly enhanced habitat designed to support monarchs, hummingbirds, and other vital pollinators.

The event, organized by Friends of Bosque del Apache, begins at 8:30 a.m. with a guided tour of the pollinator project site and continues through 10:30 a.m. with educational programming. All activities are free, but attendees are asked to register in advance through the Friends’ website to receive class details and scheduling updates.

Another exciting part of this ribbon cutting is the new educational signage that is being added to the site.

“This is the first of a series of educational signs we’re installing to help people understand the importance of pollinators to both ecosystems and human life,” said the Arboretum Manager Cari Powell, who also oversees the Pollinator Habitat Enhancement Project. “We received funding from the New Mexico Outdoor Economic Development Department’s Outdoor Recreation Division’s Trails + Grant from the and that funding is allowing us to expand our outreach and educational resources.”

The ribbon cutting will also feature two hummingbird-focused classes. A presentation titled “How and Why to Catch a Hummingbird,” which explains the science behind hummingbird banding, and a hands-on identification session at the corral, where participants can observe and learn from an expert. Space is limited for both classes, and early registration is encouraged.

“We’re asking folks to sign up through the website so we can send them instructions and make sure they have everything they need,” the manager said. “It’s all free, and we want to make it as accessible as possible.”

The celebration follows a volunteer cleanup scheduled for August 2, part of the final preparations for the event. Since the project began in mid-2023, nearly 600 volunteer hours have been logged at the site, reflecting strong community involvement.

“It’s a volunteer-driven effort,” the manager said. “If people want to be part of it, they can come out on the second or reach out to get involved in future workdays.”

The Arboretum Manager also oversees the Desert Arboretum, which features native cacti and plants, and encourages anyone interested in updates or volunteer opportunities to email arboretum@friendsofbosquedelapache.org.

“We’re excited to share what we’ve built,” she said. “This is about connecting people to the land and to the species that depend on it.”