| Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, which means "woods of the Apache", was named for the people who often camped in the riverside forest. Today it is know as one of the most spectacular Refuges in North America. The 57,191 acre refuge straddles the Rio Grande Valley in Socorro, New Mexico. Within the refuge borders lie three wilderness areas totaling approximately 30,850 acres and five research natural areas totaling 18,500 acres.Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge was established as a refuge and a breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Tens of thousands of birds, including sandhill cranes, Arctic geese, and many kinds of ducks, gather each autumn and stay through the winter.In the summer Bosque del Apache lives its quiet, green life as an oasis in the arid lands that surround it. Bosque del Apache is located on the northern edge of the Chihuahuan desert and includes riparian and desert habitats. Consequently, the animals reflect the different habitats on the refuge. Several species of mammals including coyotes, mule deer, and elk occur on the refuge. Over 340 species of birds and many species of reptiles, amphibians and fish live here.Plants are many and diverse to reflect the different habitats of the refuge. Cottonwoods are spectacular in October/early November. Visit the Desert Arboretum and the plantings around the visitor center for a sample of plants found both on the refuge and in the north American deserts. |
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