Natural areas and community gardens are great places to find inspiration for your landscape. We often look to neighbors’ yards, books, magazines or plant nurseries to get ideas, but those aren’t the only options. The greater Albuquerque area is home to beautiful open space areas that offer us places for recreation and conservation, but also are great sources of education and design inspiration. The plants you see in these natural areas are likely to do well in yards in that same part of town. Pay attention to what plants grow near each other as these will make good combinations in your yard as well.
Today, we are highlighting a couple of beautiful natural areas to visit in and around the South Valley.
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge
Did you know that within our great city, there is a national wildlife refuge? It was established in 2012 and is one of the most ambitious urban conservation projects in the nation. Tucked behind an industrial zone in the South Valley, the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge provides an escape from the city. Enjoy a peaceful wetland demonstration pond, beautiful sunsets, and walking trail loops that mark the beginning of extensive transformation plans. Stop by the visitor center to learn about upcoming events and how you can help re-wild the land both on the refuge and in your community.
Valle de Oro offers a diversity of activities, including bicycling, bird watching, photography, horseback riding, dog walking, hiking, jogging, picnicking, education and interpretation. There are loop trails of all lengths available with the longest trail bringing you to the Rio Grande Bosque.
Gutierrez Hubbell House History and Cultural Center
Nearby and located on the original path of the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail is the Gutierrez Hubbell House History and Cultural Center. Located at 6029 Isleta SW in Albuquerque, it is run by Bernalillo County and noted for its state and national historic status.
The Gutiérrez-Hubbell Open Space is an approximately 16-acre property that features the restored Gutiérrez-Hubbell House, courtyard, kitchen garden, heritage orchard, historic acequia and several actively farmed agricultural fields.
The house, a 5,700-square-foot earthen/adobe structure, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Park Service certified site. Once a private residence of the prominent Gutiérrez and Hubbell families, it was also the location of a stagecoach stop, trading post and post office from the late 1860s to 1929. In 2000, the property was purchased by Bernalillo County and is managed as a Bernalillo County Open Space. Curated as a museum and educational center, the house also has community and gallery space and host several large events annually. Check the free backyard farming workshops and quarterly composting series that are held at the property.
Learn more here:
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