We must regretfully announce that, due to the ongoing government shutdown, the Friends of Bosque del Apache Board has been faced with making the extraordinarily difficult decision to cancel this year’s Festival of the Cranes. This decision was not made lightly, and in fact, we are heartbroken! However, at this time, we must acknowledge that it is now best for both the refuge and the public to cancel this year’s event.
All refuge buildings and bathrooms must remain closed during a federal government shutdown and no tours or events may occur on the refuge. The loss of access to refuge resources would eliminate nearly 75% of the classes, tours, and events that were planned for this year’s Festival of the Cranes. We know that many of you travel, sometimes great distances, for this event and would need plenty of advance notice to make your plans.
Additionally, the lack of certainty around when refuge staff might return to work continues to prevent us from ensuring the same welcoming and magical experience visitors deserve and have come to expect and love when visiting the refuge. With over a month of lost prep time during the busiest season of the year and an already decreased staff headcount, the first priority for the refuge team upon their return to work will be mowing, flooding fields, and preparing the habitat that winter birds require. This will leave them little time to prepare for visitors’ needs, by completing tasks such as cutting viewing windows and grading roads.
Given these factors, we have reluctantly decided that it is no longer feasible to continue with our plans to host Festival of the Cranes this year, but we continue to deeply value your support for the refuge and for Friends. During these unprecedented times, we need this support more than ever! Even when the government shutdown ends, the refuge will still face multiple challenges, including water shortages and continuing budget reductions while inflation rises. Many of you have reached out to ask how you can help, and there is much you can do to make a difference:
- Your support can help fill the gap – give a monthly or one-time donation, do your holiday shopping in our online Nature Store or buy a raffle ticket for this year’s gorgeous crane themed quilt!
- Your Voice Matters! – Contact your representatives and let them know how the government shutdown is affecting your favorite National Wildlife Refuge. If you’ve never done this before and don’t know where to start, go to this website and enter your zip code.
- Spread the Word – tell your friends and family about the importance of this critical wetland oasis in the desert, or better yet – invite them to join our mailing list so they will receive regular updates and newsletters. The more people who understand the importance of conservation, the bigger the impact we can have together!