Last piece of land acquired for South Valley wildlife refuge

Albuquerque’s representatives in Congress celebrated acquisition this afternoon of the last piece of land needed to complete Valle de Oro, the 570-acre wildlife refuge in the South Valley. They were joined by U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, who said the community partnership that pushed for the refuge is “a model for other parts of the country.” Federal, state, local and private sources contributed the $18.5 million needed to assemble the land, which used to be the old Price’s Dairy, on south Second Street. It’s the first urban wildlife refuge in the Southwest. “Valle de Oro is tremendously important to the entire region and, in particular, to the urban region of Albuquerque, New Mexico,” U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., told the crowd gathered at the site about noon. “Today is about partnership and perseverance.” Sen. Martin Heinrich and Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, both Democrats from New Mexico, said it was important for children to spend time outdoors, forging a connection with nature. Seen from the air, Heinrich said, Valle de Oro “is the last big, undeveloped chunk” of land in the South Valley. Lujan Grisham said the space will provide education, health and other benefits. “This is an economic boost for a community that really needs it,” she said. Today’s celebration focused on acquisition of the last 81 acres needed to complete the refuge. The work will now turn to planning out how to use the site. A permanent center for visitors is among the first priorities...more

Little Tommy You-Dull opposes the transfer of federal lands to the state, but he sure doesn't oppose transferring our lands to the feds.