New Mexico Wildlife Center

 History

The New Mexico Wildlife Center is nationally recognized for the high caliber of care that it provides to New Mexico wildlife. Hundreds of injured or orphaned native mammals, raptors, and reptiles are brought each year for treatment, and release when possible. When unable to be released, many become part of the educational area called the “Wildlife Walk” which is visited by many schools and groups.

This garden project began in 2015 with the ultimate goal of providing The Wildlife Center with landscape and gardens to match the quality of the center. Three primary areas were chosen to be address in our first year. We started with an assessment of the grounds, did soil testing, followed by the appropriate amendments. Working with experts from the New Mexico Native Plant Society and NMSU Extension office at Alcalde, interns and Master Gardeners developed several options for the gardens to be developed.

 Project Description

Since 1986, the New Mexico Wildlife Center has been a safe haven for injured and orphaned New Mexico birds, mammals, and reptiles. Today, the center encompasses more than 20 acres in Santa Fe County and continues its mission to heal and rehabilitate native wildlife and to preserve their habitats.

In former years, the property became the site of a rodeo ground, resulting in the loss of native plants, the introduction of non-native plants, and erosion.  Two years ago, Santa Fe Master Gardeners (under project leaders Steven Fellows and Liz Kulka) initiated an ambitious long-term project to restore the landscape using native plants and xeric landscaping.

Thanks to master gardeners, interns and other volunteers, over 190 shrubs, trees and perennials have been planted. Master gardeners and interns learned how to install drip irrigation, how to control erosion, and how to establish riparian areas in the landscape.

In addition, workshops for soil testing and native plants attracted eager learners. This year’s project will build on last year’s successful projects and will also offer new workshops, including: large scale methods of weed control, building bee houses, waffle gardens, seeding with native grasses, planting for pollinators/native wildflower gardens.

Project Goal

The New Mexico Wildlife Center’s goals are to provide habitats for native species and to inspire the public with the beauty and practicality of gardening with native plants. This will be accomplished by workshops that provide hands on experience and training for Santa Fe Master Gardeners, interns, and the public.

Looking for Volunteers Who:

·          Desire to learn about xeric native plant gardening and land reclamation

·         Are willing to put their knowledge into practice

·          Enjoy interacting with the public

Type of Work:

·         General garden work and design

·         Primarily OS hours, plus some CE and PE hours.

Additional Info:

·         This is a public garden with high visibility for the Master Gardener Association.

·         Suggested tools: rakes, shovels, pruners, weeders

Schedule: Work season is from March to October. Check the calendar for specific dates.

Location: All activities will take place at New Mexico Wildlife Center, 19 Wheat Street, Española, NM.