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!
CONTENTS
Photo by Jonathan Dowell, 2022 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 20s.
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 20s so be sure to dress appropriately!
- Water container (there will be food & drink trucks at the refuge Visitor Center & beverages on the second floor of Macey Center at New Mexico Tech)
- 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 notebook 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 can dry out quickly in the desert)
- Mobile phone with bird ID apps installed (we like Merlin)
- NOTE: Macey Center, where classroom seminars are taking place, will be warm
Winter hats are available online here and in our Nature Store, located in the Visitor 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
NEW MEXICO TECH, MACEY CENTER
801 Leroy Pl, Socorro, NM 87801
Phone: (575) 835-5342
Website
EVENTS
Expert Seminars – Classrooms
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 and has several eating establishments, including a Starbucks and a Cafeteria, located on the college campus in the Fidel/ Student Union Building.
Bodega Burger Co., where the Annual Friends Dinner and Festival Keynote will occur, is also located in Socorro.
SAN ANTONIO
There are two restaurants and a convenience store in the small town of San Antonio, less than 10 minutes north of the refuge. Restaurants include:
