Albuquerque Biological Park Calendar of Events
April 2010 |
Featured Activities
- Colcha Demonstration at Heritage Farm - April 1
- "Chiles with the Pope of Peppers" Brown Bag Seminar - April 1 & 3
- Spring Pastels Flower Show - April 3-30
- Easter Enrichment Activities - April 4
- Heritage Farm Guide Volunteer Training - April 7
- Hana Matsuri at the Botanic Garden - April 10
- Free Fishing Clinic - April 10
- Touchpool Volunteer Training - April 14
- Horticulture Volunteer Training - April 21
- Aquarium Overnight - April 23/24
- Earth Day Celebration - April 24
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Colcha Demonstration at Heritage Farm
Thursday, April 1, 9:30am-12:00pm
Colcha, regional embroidery developed in New Mexico during the Spanish colonial period, is demonstrated in the adobe farm house monthly by El Arco Iris: Sociedad de Colcheras. Learn to appreciate this Hispanic art form by watching the society’s members at work, and find out how you can join them to perpetuate the skill of colcha embroidery.
El Arco Iris: Sociedad de Colcheras visit on the first Thursday of each month to demonstrate.
Included with admission. Call (505) 848-7112 for more information.
"Chiles with the Pope of Peppers" Brown Bag Seminar
Thursday & Saturday, April 2 & 4, 12:45-1:30 pm
Topic: "Chiles with the Pope of Peppers"
Speaker: Dave DeWitt
Dave DeWitt is one of the foremost experts in the world on chile peppers and spicy foods and the producer of the international Fiery Foods Show.
He has written more than 30 books on those subjects, including his latest, The Complete Chile Pepper Book: A Gardener’s Guide to Choosing, Growing, Preserving, and Cooking. He will be available after the Brown Bag to sign his newest book.
This series of informal, lunchtime lectures presents the science of conservation. Topics include plant and animal themes relevant to the BioPark, and presenters may be BioPark staff or field experts.
Brown Bag lectures take place twice a month (on a Thursday and a Saturday), alternating between the Aquarium/Garden and the Zoo locations. Lectures at the Zoo are included with regular admission. There is no fee to attend the lectures at the Aquarium/Garden. Call (505) 848-7180 for more information.
Spring Pastels Flower Show
Saturday, April 3 through Thursday, April 30, 9:00am-5:00pm
Hydrangeas in pale pinks and blues with white lilies provide a soft welcome to spring in the Botanic Garden's Mediterranean Conservatory, regardless of the weather outside.
Included with admission. Call (505) 848-7112 for more information.
Easter Enrichment Activities
Sunday, April 4, 9:00am-11:00am
Bring the family to watch the elephants, primates and carnivores (including cats) enjoy some extra-special enrichment activities. Enrichment items ill include papier-mâché items, hand-made toys and edible goodies like cereal baskets, gelatin molds, hard boiled eggs and lots of different fruits--all specially prepared by zookeepers. The animals absolutely eat it up! And zookeepers understand the value of their extra effort in preparing the treats.
"Enrichment projects are designed to offer activities, edibles and new and unusual items that zoo animals don't encounter on a daily basis. Enrichment helps break the routing, stimulates natural behaviors and encourages mental activity," said Mammal Curator Lynn Tupa.
Enrichment activities are included with regular admission.
Heritage Farm Guide Volunteer Training
Wednesday, April 7, 9:30am-3:30pm
Heritage Farm Guides help visitors step back in history at the Rio Grande Botanic Garden’s Heritage Farm exhibit. The farm is representative of the 1920s and 1930s. Dressed in period costume, Farm Guides share information with visitors about agriculture, farm animals, daily farm life and traditions of the Rio Grande Valley.
Must be 18 or older. Please call (505) 764-6214 for more information.
Hana Matsuri at the Botanic Garden
Saturday, April 10, 10:00am-2:00pm
Hana Matsuri means “flower festival” in Japanese and marks the beginning of Ohanami or "blossom viewing time". This event includes demonstrations and activities to celebrate the coming of spring flowers and cherry blossom season.
In addition to the Hana Matsuri, garden visitors can observe bonsai master teacher, Jim Barrett, at work in the botanic garden’s showroom. Jim will work with individual members of the Albuquerque Bonsai Club as they shape small trees into works of art during the morning and afternoon session. The president of the Albuquerque Bonsai Club will be available to talk with interested visitors about bonsai from 11:00 until 1:00.
Included with admission. Call (505) 848-7112 for more information.
Free Fishing Clinic at Tingley Beach
Saturday, April 10, 10:00am-12:00pm
Visit the event tent at Tingley Beach to learn more about fly-fishing and fly-tying, fishing etiquette, catch & release practices and how to “catch the big one.” Tingley Beach Fishing Guides will be on-hand to teach and share fishing tips. Equipment and supplies are available for use during the clinic free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants are welcome to bring their own gear as well. In addition, Tingley Outfitters provides basic equipment for purchase inside the Tingley Train Station.
Touchpool Volunteer Training
Wednesday, April 14, 9:30am-3:30pm
Touchpool volunteers assist with the hands-on touchpoolsat the aquarium and introduce visitors to horseshoe crabs, horse conchs, sea urchins, sharks, rays and other fascinating marine animals.
For more information, please call (505) 764-6214.
Horticulture Volunteer Orientation
Wednesday, April 21, 9:30am-12:00pm
Horticulture Volunteers assist the BioPark horticulture staff with routine garden maintenance and special plant projects. Open to volunteers ages 16 and up.
For more information, please call (505) 764-6214.
Aquarium Overnight
Friday-Saturday, April 23-24, 7:00pm-8:00am
Sleep next to the sharks at this family-friendly event. Participants will learn interesting facts about ocean species and their nighttime behavior during this special Aquarium sleepover. Includes games and crafts, Touchpool visit and ocean film fest in the theater. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Cost: $30/person. Group size is limited. Pre-registration is required and and participation is reserved only after payment is received. Call (505) 848-7180 for more information and to register.
Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 24, 10:00am-2:00pm
Visit the BioPark’s Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden or Tingley Beach to learn more about our planet and what you can do to protect the animals and plants that inhabit the Earth. Discovery stations and hands-on activities at each facility will introduce you to the wonders of nature.
Earth Day activities (including classes, workshops and demonstrations) are free with admission. For more information, please call (505) 764-6214.
Take Action for the Earth!The New Mexico BioPark Society will collect and recycle your old cell phone and phone accessories. Simply bring them to the Zoo or Aquarium/Garden administration office on Earth Day! For other ideas, visit the City of Albuquerque's Sustainability |