Summary
Organization name
Friends of the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuges
2000
Tax id (EIN)
74-2740115
Category
Education
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
PO Box 857Monte Vista, CO 81144
Rio Grande County, CO, US
The Friends will transform the existing Cottonwood Grove Viewing Area on the Monte Vista NWR. It offers excellent spring and fall viewing and education opportunities during the Sandhill Crane migration as well as year-round bird and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Testimonials
The Friends group is a dedicated, hardworking of group of people who live and work all over the San Luis Valley. They are an important contributor to the National Wildlife Refuges in the Valley. The Friends along with the Refuge staff, the Monte Vista Chamber, Rio Grande County, and th City of Monte Vista: plan and operate the annual Monte Vista Crane Festival which brings thousands of visitors from all over the world to the refuges. To date, the Friends have contributed to the building of the Meadow Lark Trail on the Monte Vista NWR, the Discovery Room at the Alamosa NWR, many years of Kid's Crane Festivals, and Fishing days (alas, fish disease and drought has stopped this activity). We also assist the refuge with the yearly Friends and Neighbors Picnic that brings the neighbors of the refuge up to date on the refuge happenings. Friends members worked hard to advocate for the establishment of the Baca NWR in 2005. In 2021 the Friends received a $15,000 grant to improve a critical parking area on the Monte Vista Refuge, wildlife camera installation, and an educational kiosk.
Mission
The friends of the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuges is an independent, nonprofit group of individuals dedicated to supporting the mission of the US Fish and Wildlife Service refuge system and to promoting awareness of the Alamosa, Baca, and Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuges through education and outreach.
Background Statement
The Friends formed in 2000 as an independent nonprofit. The Friends along with the Refuge staff, the Monte Vista Chamber, Rio Grande County, and the City of Monte Vista: plan and operate the annual Monte Vista Crane Festival which brings thousands of visitors from all over the world to the refuges. To date, the Friends have contributed to the building of the Meadow Lark Trail on the Monte Vista NWR, the Discovery Room at the Alamosa NWR, many years of Kid's Crane Festivals, and Fishing days (alas, fish disease and drought has stopped this activity). We also assist the refuge with the yearly Friends and Neighbors Picnic that brings the neighbors of the refuge up to date on the refuge happenings. Friends members worked hard to advocate for the establishment of the Baca NWR in 2005. In 2021 the Friends received a $15,000 grant to improve a critical parking area on the Monte Vista Refuge, wildlife camera installation, and an educational kiosk.
Media gallery
Organization Data
Monte Vista, CO 81144