Includes General NM Information Links

Link to Plant Threats to the Bosque

For additional information:

• Albuquerque Open Space - Open Space works to acquire and protect the natural character of land designated as major public Open Space in the 1988 revised City of Albuquerque Comprehensive Plan. These lands, which are comprised of over 28,000 acres in and around Albuquerque, are managed to conserve natural and archaeological resources, provide opportunities for outdoor education, provide a place for high and low impact recreation, and define the edges of the urban environment.
• Albuquerque Open Space Visitors Center - This new facility offers the public information and resources on the Open Space program. They also have exhibits and host traveling exhibits.
• Bosque - general Wikipedia article
• Friends of The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge work on behalf of birds and wildlife, helping to protect the critically important habitat of the Bosque del Apache NWR, and helping to educate and inform the public about the value and beauty of all life at the Bosque.
• Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District maintains 1,200 miles of ditches and canals ensure that the Valley is full of lush farmlands, open space, wildlife, recreational opportunities and places where people can relax in peaceful repose and escape from the hectic pace of modern life.
• Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program organized to protect and improve the status of endangered species along the Middle Rio Grande of New Mexico while simultaneously protecting existing and future regional water uses.
• Native Plant Society of New Mexico
• New Mexico Audubon Society
• New Mexico Magazine, which began in July 1923, is published monthly and features topics from around the Land of Enchantment, including our multicultural heritage, arts, climate, environment and diverse people.
• New Mexico Ornithological Society
• New Mexico Rare Plants - Presented by the New Mexico Rare Plant Technical Council (NMRPTC)
• New Mexico Touring Society - New Mexico Bicycling Club
• Rio Grande - general Wikipedia article.
• Rio Grande Valley State Park - recreation opportunities compiled by City of Abq.
• San Juan - Chama Drinking Water Project - Diversion Dam just south of the Alameda Bridge.
• UNM Water Resources Program
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Southwest Region
• Village of Corrales - contains and administers the Corrales Bosque Preserve

Plant Threats to the Bosque

• Invasive.org - The Source for Information and Images of Invasive & Exotic Species. A joint project of The University of Georgia's Bugwood Network, USDA Forest Service and USDA APHIS PPQ.

Plant Conservation Alliance Least Wanted List

[Note: The following links point to articles on Wikipedia.]

• Ailanthus altissima - Tree-of-heaven (Bosque Bill's Enemy #1) is a prolific seed producer, grows rapidly, and can overrun native vegetation. Once established, it can quickly take over a site and form an impenetrable thicket. Ailanthus trees also produces toxins that prevent the establishment of other plant species. The root system is aggressive enough to cause damage to sewers and foundations. 
• Russian-olive can out compete native vegetation, interfere with natural plant succession and nutrient cycling, and tax water reserves. Although Russian-olive provides a plentiful source of edible fruits for birds, ecologists have found that bird species richness is actually higher in riparian areas dominated by native vegetation.
• Siberian Elm is a fast-growing tree in the elm family (Ulmaceae) distinguished by small toothed leaves about 1-2½ in (3-7 cm) long and half as wide, and pointed at the tip. Unlike other elms, the leaf base is usually symmetrical, forming a nearly even "V". Fast growing seedlings of Siberian elm quickly overtake native vegetation, especially shade-intolerant species.
• Tamarisk - Salt cedars are fire-adapted species and have long tap roots that allow them to intercept deep water tables and interfere with natural aquatic systems. Saltcedar disrupts the structure and stability of native plant communities and degrades native wildlife habitat by out competing and replacing native plant species, monopolizing limited sources of moisture, and increasing the frequency, intensity and effect of fires and floods.

Not classified as a weed, but can be invasive and a problem:

• Virginia Creeper is a woody vine, native to the central U.S., but not NM, and is therefore not classified as an alien invasive. Yes, it does have berries birds can eat (and thus spread the plant) which are poisonous to mammals. Bosque Bill has seen where Virginal Creeper can spread out of control and overwhelm plants native to the bosque.