Why Join us ? - 

The Friends were formed in 1999 by a small dedicated group. More than twenty years later, we are still going strong and working with our refuges to fulfill their mission.  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 the Monte Vista Crane Festival. We are currently working on enhancing the main crane viewing area by creating a hard surface parking lot and adding more viewing space.  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. Friends volunteers stock and staff the bookstore at the Alamosa Refuge. Your membership and donations support these efforts.

Many Friends members have participated in the Monte Vista NWR Christmas bird count. We publish bi-annual newsletters. Since 2015, We are the lead organizers of the Monte Vista Crane Festival. Each year we have workdays on one of the three refuges. The perks for members are camaraderie, opportunity for outdoor and wildlife related activities, community service, and behind the scene Refuge tours.