U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge

Albuquerque, NM

Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is a new 570-acre urban refuge located on a former dairy farm in the South Valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico. the refuge fulfills the goals of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative to work with community partners to establish a 21st century conservation ethic and reconnect people, especially young people, to the natural world. In 2014 the US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) continued with the planning process for the refuge by completing an interpretive framework that establishes key interpretive messages as well as the design of both landscapes and facilities. FWS hired a team of experienced consultants to help with the project including Great Outdoors Consultants and PUP Global Heritage Consortium.  The project team used the FWS “Standards of Excellence for Urban National Wildlife Refuges” to develop solutions. 

The project team used a collaborative process to design Refuge facilities and landscapes and an interpretive plan to create visitor experience opportunities with the goal of connecting people with nature. Several site development concepts were considered to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each concept. From these a preferred design was created from which the Master Plan was developed. The Refuge was designed to provide convenient neighborhood access, brings visitors close to natural habitats, and creates an arrival experience with a focus on nature. The Refuge design includes restored natural landscapes, water control structures, a visitor center, a community classroom building, gathering areas, a small amphitheater, an administrative building, a maintenance building/yard, space for volunteers, Refuge entrance, children’s exploration area, scenic overlooks, interpretive stations, pathways and trails throughout the Refuge that also connect to neighborhoods. The project report includes recommendations to continue with an intentional process to plan and design the Refuge with a focus on the local community and nature

Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, the Southwest’s first urban wildlife refuge, will serve as an urban oasis for both wildlife and people. The new refuge was established due to the partnership efforts of many in the community that recognized the importance of having a wildlife refuge in this urban setting. 

Valle de Oro offers a unique environmental education and recreation opportunity in a highly populated area while promoting a wildlife conservation message. It is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, a national network of lands and waters managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

FiLL p.l.l.c.  principal Phil Hendricks Jr. ASLA served as the principal-in-charge, subconsultant contract manager, lead site planner and landscape architect while at a previous firm (Robert Peccia & Associates).