Contact: Erika Martinez
(505)986-4263
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2014
Valle de Oro Urban Wildlife Refuge Funding Legislation Clears Senate
Santa Fe, NM – Senate Memorial 36 sponsored by Senator Michael Padilla (D-14-Bernalillo) has cleared the Senate. The legislation seeks to complete the final phase of funding for the Valle de Oro Urban Wildlife Refuge located along the Rio Grande River in the southern portion of Bernalillo County. Eighty acres remain to be purchased to complete the project, and the legislation will ask the federal government to make this purchase. “This legislation is going to protect this land forever,” said Sen. Padilla. “This land will provide excellent outdoor educational opportunities for all New Mexico children.”
A coalition of government agencies including the Senate, House of Representatives, and Bernalillo County have partnered with community organizations, like Friends of Valle de Oro, to complete this project by purchasing a tract of 580 acres that will become the refuge. The land, previously called Valley Gold Prices’ Dairy, sits inside of the flight path of many types of migratory birds and other wild life and is ideal for this type of refuge.
The project will also be a great economic development tool for the entire state. “New Mexico’s economy will be positively impacted by bringing visitors to the site from around the world,” said Sen. Padilla. The refuge will be the first in an urban area, which will attract visitors, educators and researchers. The location encompasses over 50 percent of New Mexico’s population within a half hour drive.
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