Article and photos by Cari Powell, Friends of BdA Desert Arboretum and Pollinator Habitat Enhancement Project Manager.
Many hands make light work. Teamwork makes the dream work. I’m sure you’ve heard these sayings before, but did you know that at Bosque del Apache it really is the truth?! In addition to the US Fish & Wildlife Service volunteers who arrive each season from far away locations to assist with visitor education, refuge upkeep, and much more, there is also a cadre of local volunteers dedicated to the upkeep of the Desert Arboretum and the Pollinator Habitat Enhancement Project!
So far in 2025, Desert Arboretum volunteers have provided 134 hours of their time. Since I began tracking in late 2022, they have provided 584 hours!
So far in 2025, Pollinator Project volunteers have provided 79.5 hours of their time. Since work started on the project in 2023, volunteers have provided and incredible 600 hours of volunteer work!
Working alongside these volunteers is my favorite part of working for Friends of Bosque del Apache! Together we trim cacti, clean out packrat nests, rebuild rock walls, devise watering systems, haul buckets of water, dig out invasive plants, plant native plants and most importantly, we yap (as the kids say). We do what people do best, we build community and make friends. My life would be much less rich, and my job would be a lot harder, without the marvelous folks who show up in the heat and the cold and even during mosquito season to help beautify Bosque del Apache and support native habitats!
As a small token of appreciation, Friends hosted a volunteer appreciation lunch after the September 6th Arboretum workday (yes, we worked before we ate!) at the picnic pavilion on Bosque del Apache’s plaza. We enjoyed a lovely lunch while listening to hummingbirds buzz by.
If you want to be a part of the volunteering fun, please email me at arboretum@friendsofbosquedelapache.org. I have email update lists for both the Desert Arboretum and the Pollinator Habitat Enhancement project.
Thank you once again to each volunteer who has given their time and energy to work on one of these projects! Bosque del Apache is better because of you.