Through the "More Kids in the Woods" program, RMRS Albuquerque Lab helped high-school students at School on Wheels to re-establish a lost connection with their environment during a field day at the Sevilleta Long Term Ecological Research site. The students toured both the experimental station at the Sevilleta Wildlife Refuge and its laboratory facility. Ph.D.-level scientists provided information to the students on such topics as invasive species management, reintroducing prairie dogs to the refuge, waterfowl, and the role of fire in refuge management. Photo cutline: Students in the More Kids in the Woods program receive field kits at the Sevilleta LTER site.
As part of the "More Kids in the Woods" program, RMRS Albuquerque Lab and the National Hispanic Environmental Council also supported the Minority Youth Environmental Training Institute held August 2007 near Glorieta, NM. The Institute introduced urban high school students to nature, environmental topics, and careers in natural resources.
RMRS also supported the USDA Forest Service's Hispanic Career Camp in Pingree Park at Colorado State University Research Station in 2006. Hispanic high school students interested in a career with the Forest Service were given the opportunity to work in the field.
At Santa Ana Pueblo, RMRS Albuquerque Lab participated at Environmental Fair Day where participants displayed raptors, ravens and environmental information to reduce energy consumption. Fisheries Research Biologist Hugo Magaña displayed equipment used in his aquatic research and explained the use of each device. Support services specialist Keith Louks also presented a poster showing the exact size of bird's wings.
Las Vegas, NM - RMRS Albuquerque Lab employees teamed with the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, Las Vegas, NM to celebrate Earth Day 2008 with local second- to fifth-graders.
The Rocky Mountain Research Station uses the annual Festival of the Cranes at Bosque del Apache near Socorro, New Mexico, as an opportunity for public outreach. The Albuquerque Lab showcases its studies of wildfires and wildlife habitat at a poster session at the Refuge Visitor Center.