If you were able attend the Friends Annual Meeting on February 19, Thank you!
Dr. Fred Phillips’ keynote presentation had a significant impact on all of us who watched Annual Meeting live on Feb 19. He increased our sense of urgency, which is spurring us to more action. We were so fortunate to have Dr. Phillips present as he is a recognized leader on water issues and other effects of climate change on the Middle Rio Grande Valley, including Bosque del Apache NWR. His keynote made it clear to us that we must act now with a sense of urgency and hope.
To view the entire Annual Meeting, scroll to the bottom of this page
Friends of Bosque del Apache is taking these steps:
Our Advocacy Committee continues to reach out to partner organizations (i.e., Wild Earth Guardians, Save Our Bosque Task Force, other NWRs in our region, etc) and legislators to share our concerns and to collaborate on potential actions.
Friends has invested in green energy on the refuge over the years, including solar panels, water catchment systems, etc.
Through the Petschek Pollinator Program funds, we have planted native trees, shrubs, and flowers to provide shade, food, and habitat for birds and pollinators. While this has been primarily in the Desert Arboretum, there is a plan now to install more native plants in the Observation Blind Trail area to support pollinators, and particularly monarch butterflies.
Through Well of Hope funds and grants, Friends has invested in water infrastructure on the refuge and installed or repaired many wells. While repairing wells is not the long term solution, it will make our use of groundwater and energy more efficient and effective right now.
10 WAYS YOUR CAN PERSONALLY TAKE ACTION NOW:
- JOIN The OASIS, our Sustaining Community of Hope
- LEARN – watch Dr. Fred Phillips’ presentations & our video on Bosque del Apache Water Management (at the top of this page)
- READ – Reining in the Rio Grande – purchase here
- JOIN and become active with organizations concerned with climate change in New Mexico
ADVOCATE within these organizations on behalf of the Rio Grande and the refuge - SHARE with Friends of BdA what other climate-concerned organizations are doing
- CONTACT our Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, and let her know your concerns
- MAKE CALLS and write letters to elected representatives, encouraging their support of climate change prevention legislation (list of leaders you can contact is below)
- TALK with friends and neighbors about your personal concerns regarding climate change
- WRITE ARTICLES on your own websites about climate change and SHARE with us!
- SHARE all relevant posts on social media platforms
LEADERS YOU CAN CONTACT NOW
Be sure to share your personal reasons why these issues are important to YOU – why are you concerned? How will climate change impact you and the people and places you love?
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham: Call 505/476-2200
Deb Haaland, Secretary of the Department of the Interior: Call 202/208-7351
Sen. Martin Heinrich: Call 202/224-5521; website: heinrich.senate.gov
Sen. Ben Ray Lujan: Call 202/224-6621; website: lujan.senate.gov
Congressman Melanie Stansbury (D) 1st District: Call 202/225-6316; website: stansbury.house.gov
Congressman Yvette Herrell (R) 2nd District: Call 202/225-2365; website: herrell.house.gov
Congressman Teresa Leger Fernandez (D) 3rd District: Call 202/225-6190; website: teresaforall.com
NM State Senators – entire list and contact info at https://www.nmlegis.gov/members/Legislator_List?T=R
NM State House of Representatives – entire list and contact info at: https://www.nmlegis.gov/members/Legislator_List?T=R
We live in a time when our actions really matter.
Waiting is not an option. We must work TOGETHER to assure the worst case scenarios don’t become a a reality – particularly for our beloved Oasis, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Please join the conversation and become a part of our Community of Active Hope.
Please share your ideas about what you are doing, what you are reading, or what you know that others are doing in this survey.
“It may not be in your power,
may not be in your time,
that there’ll be any fruit.
But that doesn’t mean you stop
doing the right thing.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Below please find a recording of the entire Annual Meeting: