Albuquerque Biological Park Calendar of Events
March 2009 |
Featured Activities
- "The Plumed Invader" Brown Bag Lecture at Aquarium - March 5 & 7
- Leap Into Spring at Zoo - March 8
- Fishing Guide Training - March 10
- Zoo Greeter Training - March 11
- Aquarium Narrator Training - March 12 & 13
- Free Fishing Derby - March 14
- Free Fishing Clinic - March 14
- Registration Begins for Summer Programs! - March 16
- Aquarium/Botanic Garden Greeter Training - March 17
- Horticulture Volunteer Orientation - March 18
- Aquarium Overnight - March 20/21
- Spring Break at the BioPark - March 24-27
- Family Fishing Fiesta - March 28
January February April May June July August September October November December
"The Plumed Invader" Brown Bag Lecture at Aquarium
Thursday, March 5, and Saturday March 7, 12:45-1:30pm
The Plumed Invader: The Western Pacific Lionfish in the Atlantic and Caribbean
By speakers Jeanette and Peter Lysne of Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF)
Western Pacific Lionfish are unmistakable--their elegant fins resemble the waving plumage of a tropical bird. Lionfish are venomous, have few predators and breed throughout the year. This invasive fish was first recorded near Miami in 1992. Now they are established along the eastern seaboard of the United States and in the Caribbean as far south and west as Puerto Rico and Belize. Soon they will enter the Gulf of Mexico by riding the Gulf Stream through the Yucatan Straits. Lionfish put reef ecosystems in jeopardy because they eat native fish faster than the latter can reproduce.
For several years government and academic scientists, helped by teams of volunteer divers and snorkelers, have studied the invasion. The results of recent lionfish expeditions between the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands will be presented. Volunteers collected fish for laboratory study, tagged fish to estimate their home range, and made behavioral studies and population estimates. This work has led to a better understanding of the invasion process, its ramifications and what might be done to mitigate its effects.
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.
Leap Into Spring at the Zoo
Sunday, March 8, 10:00am-2:00pm
Hop on over to the Rio Grande Zoo and help us celebrate all amphibians. Learn about frogs, toads, newts and salamanders by visiting the Reptile and Amphibian building. You’ll also get to meet some amazing amphibians up close! Most importantly, you’ll learn how you can help protect these animals and how it’s easy to be “green.”
Included with admission. Call (505) 764-6214.
Fishing Guide Training at Tingley Beach
Tuesday, March 10, 9:30am-3:30pm
Fishing Guides interact with anglers and other visitors at Tingley Beach, sharing information about the natural history of fish and proper fishing techniques. Fishing Guides may also assist with fishing clinics offered throughout the year. Must be at least 18 years old. For more information, please call (505) 764-6245.
Zoo Greeter Training
Wednesday, March 11, 9:30am-3:30pm
Greeters act as hosts and hostesses for the BioPark, welcoming visitors and school groups. If you enjoy talking with people, this is the job for you! Open to ages 18 and up. For more information, please call (505) 764-6245.
Aquarium Narrator Training
Thursday & Friday, March 12 & 13, 9:30am-3:30pm
Volunteers, ages 18 and up, host scheduled feedings at specified locations in the Aquarium. Aquarium employees feed the animals while Aquarium Narrators teach visitors about the animals being fed and the day's menu! For more information, please call (505) 848-7180.
Free Fishing Derby at Tingley Beach
Saturday, March 14, 7:30am-4:00pm
Fishing enthusiasts are invited to participate in the 3rd Annual Free Fishing Derby, which is supported by the Albuquerque Biological Park, the City's Parks and Recreation Department and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. The event will take place at the Tingley Beach Central Pond and is open to all ages. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will stock 5,000 rainbow trout in time for the derby. Catch a golden trout, provided by the New Mexico BioPark Society, and claim your prize!
The entire golden trout caught on March 14th between 7:30AM and 4:00PM can be presented to the Parks and Recreation event tent near the Train Station to claim a prize. To receive a prize, golden trout must be caught during Derby times. A New Mexico fishing license is required for participants 12 years old and older.
Tingley Outfitters provides basic fishing equipment and NM fishing licenses for purchase inside the Train Station. Food and drinks, provided by the Tingley Café, will be available for purchase in an event tent.
Check back to see a prize list and to download a flyer about the 2009 Free Fishing Derby.
Read about the 2008 derby results!
No fee or advanced registration required. Please call (505) 248-8514 for more information.
Free Fishing Clinic at Tingley Beach
Saturday, March 14, 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.
Download a flyer about the 2009 Free Fishing Clinics 
Registration Begins for Camp BioPark and Summer Programs
Monday, March 16, 2009
Camp BioPark 2009 registration will begin on Monday, March 16, 2009.
Give your kids a unique summer experience by registering them for one of our fun, educational BioPark day camps. Programs are geared to different age groups and offer in-depth exploration of the zoo, aquarium, garden or the bosque behind Tingley Beach. Click here for program descriptions, schedule, fees and how to register.
Aquarium/Garden Greeter Training
Tuesday, March 17, 9:30am-3:30pm
Greeters act as hosts and hostesses for the BioPark, welcoming visitors and school groups. If you enjoy talking with people, this is the job for you! Open to ages 18 and up. For more information, please call (505) 764-6245.
Horticulture Volunteer Orientation at the Botanic Garden
Wednesday, March 18, 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) 764-6245.
Aquarium Overnight
Friday-Saturday, March 20-21, 7:00pm-8:00am
Sleep next to the sharks at this family-friendly event. Participants will learn about 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: $25/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.
Spring Break at the Albuquerque BioPark
Tuesday-Friday, March 24-27, 10:00am-3:30pm
Spring Break Camps for children ages 9 - 11 give your child an experience to remember! Get up close and personal with the BioPark's animals and plants, play games, hear stories and more. Descriptions of each class are below.
Classes are $15 per child or $50 for all four camps. Register by calling (505) 764-6214. Classes will take place rain or shine, so make sure your child is dressed appropriately, brings a sack lunch and water bottle and arrives by 9:45 am.
Spring Wildlife Safari at the Rio Grande Zoo. Tuesday, March 24, 10:00am-3:30 pm
Go on a safari without leaving Albuquerque! Join us for tours, games, activities in a fun-filled day where you will learn about wildlife and endangered species in New Mexico and around the world. Watch sea lions dive, listen to elephants rumble and search for camouflaged critters. You'll be personally introduced to education animals, receive a Zoo Safari journal and create animal art. Girl Scouts can earn their Wildlife badge with this program.
Spring Water Journey at the Aquarium. Wednesday, March 25, 10:00am-3:30pm
Dive on in for this action-packed adventure as you follow the course of the Rio Grande from Colorado to the sea. You'll search for mysterious creatures and then tour the aquarium to learn about amazing ocean animals. You'll get up close and personal with tidepool creatures and hear Captain Lucky's tales of the sea. Girl Scouts can earn their Water Wonders badge with this program.
Spring Green Connection at the Garden, Thursday, March 26, 10:00am-3:30pm
Uncover the fascinating world of plants from tiny seeds to towering trees. Find out how plants support the web of life on earth and learn about their wondrous uses. See how gardeners make living sculptures, visit the animals at Heritage Farm and discover how "bugs" can be heroes or villains of a garden. You'll create your own nature mosaic and plant a seed to take home and grow. Girl Scouts can earn their Plant and Animals badge with this program.
Spring Outdoor Adventure at Tingley Beach, Friday, March 27, 10:00am-3:30pm
What do cottonwoods, catfish and coyotes have in common? They are all part of the amazing world in and around the Rio Grande. This brand-new camp takes you on an exciting trek through the bosque to experience nature at the heart of the city. Be a detective as you gather clues about the forest, discover ways that plants and animals survive in the bosque, play nature games and learn what you can do to help keep Earth healthy and beautiful. Girl Scouts can earn their Earth Connections badge with this program.
Family Fishing Fiesta at Tingley Beach
Saturday, March 28, 7:00am-5:00pm
The ABQ BioPark and the New Mexico BioPark Society (NMBPS) are hosting a Family Fishing Fiesta!
Participate in this prize-packed fishing event and enjoy a day at Tingley with the whole family. Cash and prizes will be awarded.
Adults (13 years and older) can participate for $10 each. With each paying adult, a youth (12 and under) can register for FREE! Each additional youth is $5. Pre-registration is required.
Register at the NM BioPark Society at 1320 Iron SW until 3/27 at 2:00PM or www.bioparksociety.org to register online or by phone at (505) 764-6280. All monies raised for this fundraiser will go towards stocking the ponds with even more fish.
Almost $4000 in cash and prizes are available for caught tagged trout. Fifty fish will be tagged with numbers. Match the number on the tag to the prize board and see what you won. YOU may be the lucky angler that catches the grand prize trout worth a $1,000 gift certificate at CampingWorld! Or a guided trip on the San Juan or Elephant Butte!
Download a poster about the Fiesta.
Download a flyer with details, rules and prizes.
Please call (505) 248-8514 for more information.
Thank you to sponsor CampingWorld for your support!
