Environmental Education Programs in ArivacaThe Friends of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge (BANWR) sponsored four environmental education programs this winter in the town of Arivaca. The first one, with 64 people in attendance at the Gathering Space was a presentation on venomous snakes by Ed Cardwell. The rest of the programs were held at the…

NEWS from the Friends of Buenos AiresNational Wildlife Refuge Wilderness Volunteers Returning to the Refuge Wilderness Volunteers will arrive in November for four days working with the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance. They will help build erosion control structures that slow water runoff, hold soil and water on the landscape and encourage vegetation growth to stabilize…

NEWS from the Friends of Buenos AiresNational Wildlife Refuge Christmas Bird Count at the Refuge For the 25th year, volunteers fanned out across Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge to participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count sponsored by the National Audubon Society. Overall numbers were low this year, probably because of dry conditions and several…

The Friends provide much-needed assistance to the Refuge in respect to funding, environmental education, and physical work for habitat and wildlife projects. The Refuge has been deeply hampered by staff and funding shortages, and in light of this shortfall, the Friends fill an important role. The Friends step in when they can with finances and…

A lot has been happening at Buenos Aires NWR since our last newsletter of September 2021. The Friends are actively pursuing projects both indoors and outdoors, particularly in response to habitat improvement and wildlife viewing opportunities.

This was a busy year for the Friends. The Refuge is operating with only 50% of their staff, which greatly impacts the ability of the Refuge to fulfill their mission of wildlife conservation, habitat preservation, and visitor services. As a result, the role of the Friends is increasingly critical in this time of staff and…