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Virtual Welcome Packet

Festival of the Cranes

December 6 – 9, 2023

Here is your quick at-a-glance guide to Festival of the Cranes to ensure you have the best experience possible! We’re looking forward to meeting you!

Photo by Jonathan Dowell, 1st place winner in the sandhill cranes category

WHAT to BRING

December mornings and late afternoons when wildlife are the most active are COLD with pre-dawn temps in the high 20’s.

More than likely, you’ll be up at dark o’clock to catch the morning van or bus that will take you onto the refuge. Temperatures are often in the upper 20’s so be sure to dress appropriately!

  • Water Container (Food and Drink Trucks @ Refuge Visitor  Center & Beverages on second floor of Macey Center at New Mexico Tech)
  • Face masks for indoor and on-bus safety
  • Dress in layers 
  • Warm hat
  • Wool socks
  • Waterproof boots – the shorelines can be a bit muddy
  • Hand warmers such as Hot Hands or HeatMax to tuck into your gloves, mittens, and boots!
  • Headlamp/Flashlight to assist with walking in the dark 
  • Field Note Book and pencils
  • Binoculars
  • Camera Gear
  • Microfiber cloths for camera lenses, binoculars, eyeglasses
  • Handkerchief (if your nose runs in the cold) 
  • Lip Balm (lips and eyes dry out quickly in the desert)
  • Mobile phone with bird ID apps installed (We like Merlin)
  • NOTE: Macey Center, where seminars are taking place, will be warm. 
Covid Safety :: We will take every precaution to prevent the spread of Covid and carefully watch the CDC and state recommendations.

Winter hats are available online here and in our physcial store located in the Welcome Center on the refuge.

VENUES & MAPS

BOSQUE del APACHE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

1001 NM-1, San Antonio, NM 87832

Events

Workshops for Birders, Photographers, Mindfulness, etc.

  • Vans & Busses: All workshop participants must enter refuge on designated vehicles.
  • Parking: Please park in the Visitor Center lot located just north of the refuge entrance on Route 1.
  • BE ON TIME! Buses will leave promptly on-time so be sure to check event start times.

REFUGE VISITOR CENTER

1001 NM-1, San Antonio, NM 87832

Amenities

  • FESTIVAL REGISTRATION TABLE
  • FOOD & DRINK TRUCKS – Located in Refuge Plaza with warm drinks!
  • RESTROOMS

 

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge MAP

NEW MEXICO TECH, MACEY CENTER

801 Leroy Pl, Socorro, NM 87801

Phone: (575) 835-5342
Website

EVENTS

Expert Seminars – Classrooms
Festival Keynote – Theatre on the 2nd Floor of Macey Center
Expo – Upper and lower lobby

AMENITIES

INFO BOOTH with Friends of BdA staff and board members ready to assist you
RESTROOMS
CHARGING STATIONS for Smartphones and other USB devices

SOCORRO and SAN ANTONIO, NM

WHERE TO EAT

SOCORRO
The New Mexico Tech Macey Center is located in Socorro along with several eating establishments, including a Starbucks and Cafeteria located on the college campus in the Fidel/ Student Union Building.

SAN ANTONIO
There is a convenience store and three restaurants in the small town of San Antonio which is less than 10 minutes north of the refuge, including: 

  • Owl Bar
  • Buckhorn Tavern
  • Crane Cafe

Join Us

Join us in our work to preserve Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

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