Albuquerque Biological Park Calendar of Events
March 2010 |
Featured Activities
- Bulbs in Bloom Show - March 6-31
- Brown Bag Seminar at the Zoo - March 4 & 6
- Colcha at Heritage Farm - March 4
- "Barbie™ in A Mermaid Tale" pre-launch movie screenings- March 6 & 7
- Registration Begins for Summer Programs! - March 8
- Railroad Garden Volunteer Training - March 11
- Annual Free Fishing Derby - March 13
- Free Fishing Clinic - March 13
- Spring Break at the BioPark - March 16-19
- Quilting Show at the Garden - March 20
- Zoo Greeter Training - March 23
- Horticulture Volunteer Orientation - March 24
- Aquarium/Botanic Garden Greeter Training - March 25
- Aquarium Overnight - March 26/27
- Fishing Guide Training - March 31
January February April May June July August September October November December
Bulbs in Bloom Show
Saturday, March 6 through Wednesday, March 31, 9am-5pm
March visitors to the Rio Grande Botanic Garden’s Mediterranean Conservatory will be treated to a riot of color created by 1,000 blooming bulbs. T Hundreds of blooming bulbs light up the conservatory with their dazzling colors. Tulips in red, pink, and purple join vibrant cyclamen blossoms in this prelude-to-spring show.
The Bulbs in Bloom show is included with general admission ($7 for adults; $3 for seniors and children).
Brown Bag Seminar at Zoo
Thursday, March 4 and Saturday, March 8, 12:45-1:30pm
Topic: Cheetahs
Speaker: To be announced
Please check back for details about this lecture.
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.
Colcha Demonstration at Heritage Farm
Thursday, March 4, 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.
"Barbie™ in A Mermaid Tale" pre-launch screenings in the Aquarium Theater
Saturday and Sunday, March 6 & 7, at 10:00am, 1:00pm & 3:00pm
Be one of the first to see “Barbie™ in A Mermaid Tale” with a special pre-launch screening at Albuquerque BioPark’s Aquarium, an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Included with general admission, families can explore the underwater world of fictitious Oceana with Barbie® and her friends. Ocean and animal lovers of all ages can learn more about how to help protect and conserve the ocean and its inhabitants with helpful take-away tips from The Ocean Project.
Screening attendees can also take photos alongside a life-size Barbie® cutout from the movie!
In this contemporary tale, Barbie® stars as Merliah™, a champion surfer from Malibu, living a great life with fabulous friends, and an unexpected family secret. One minute she’s a normal girl and the next she’s a mermaid! Merliah™ and her dolphin friend Zuma set off on an undersea adventure to rescue her mother, the queen of Oceana. Along the way she makes new friends, and together they save the ocean kingdom. In the end, Merliah™ discovers what makes you different can also be your greatest strength.
The special pre-launch screenings of “Barbie™ in A Mermaid Tale” movie are included with Aquarium general admission ($7 adults; $3 seniors and children). Visitors will be admitted to the theater first come, first served. The Aquarium Theater seats approximately 90 people for each showing.
Activities will include:
- Pre-Launch Screening of Barbie doll’s newest DVD movie, “Barbie™ in A Mermaid Tale”
- Take photos with life-size Barbie as Merliah cutouts
- Learn more about ocean conservation with take away tips from The Ocean Project
BARBIE® and ©2009 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Registration Begins for Camp BioPark and Summer Programs
Monday, March 8, 8:00am
Camp BioPark 2010 registration will begin on Monday, March 8, 2010.
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 2010 program descriptions, schedule, fees and how to register.
Railroad Garden Volunteer Training
Thursday, March 11, 9:30am-12:00pm
Railroad Garden Volunteers operate and maintain the G-scale model train at the Botanic Garden and answer the public’s questions about the various trains in operation. Children and adults love this miniature railroad and Railroad Garden Volunteers help to enhance their experience. Must be at least 18 years old. For more information, please call (505) 848-7180.
Free Fishing Derby at Tingley Beach
Saturday, March 13, 7:00am-4:00pm
Fishing enthusiasts are invited to participate in the 4th 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 Derby is Saturday, March 13th, 2010, from 7:00AM until 4:00PM in the Central Pond only.The event is open to all ages. All you need is a valid New Mexico fishing license to participate. Tingley Outfitters can assist you with purchasing a fishing license and equipment, inside the Tingley Train Station. They also have your FREE copy of NMDGF Fishing Regulations.
Delicious food and drinks are available for purchase.
Download a flyer about the 2010 Free Fishing Derby.
No fee or advanced registration required. Please call (505) 248-8514 for more information.
Tingley Beach Annual Free Fishing Derby Rules
- The Tingley Beach Annual Free Fishing Derby is FREE to all participants, so bring your whole family! All parking next to Train Station is reserved for persons with disabilities. Handicap placard required.
- All ages are welcome to participate. All participants 12 years old and older must have a New Mexico fishing license in their possession while fishing. Fishing licenses can be purchased in the Train Station.
- TO CLAIM A PRIZE: 1. Live TAGGED TROUT must be presented to the Parks and Recreation Department event tent to receive Derby prize. Present TAGGED TROUT to event tent immediately after catching for best choice of the $2,000 in prizes! TAGGED TROUT caught before 7:00AM or after 4:00PM on March 13th are not eligible for Derby prizes. OR 2. Bring your big trout to the event tent to be measured. If it is the longest trout measured within the posted times (above) you can chose a prize! Each trout will only be measured once.
- New Mexico Game and Fish regulations require that after 4 rainbows are caught and kept, you may not fish for the remainder of the day. We suggest you catch and keep up to 3 fish, and then catch and release your 4th fish all day until you catch a prize winning TAGGED TROUT!
Tingley Beach is open sunrise to sunset every day of the year!
Free Fishing Clinic at Tingley Beach
Saturday, March 13, 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.
Spring Break at the Albuquerque BioPark
Tuesday-Friday, March 16-19, 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) 848-7180. 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 16, 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 17, 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 find out what stingrays eat for lunch. Girl Scouts can earn their Water Wonders badge with this program.
Spring Green Connection at the Garden, Thursday, March 18, 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 19, 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. You'll take a trek through the bosque to experience nature at the heart of the city. 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 the bosque healthy and beautiful. Girl Scouts can earn their Earth Connections badge with this program.
Quilting Show at the Botanic Garden
Saturday, March 20, 9:00am-5:00pm
View hand-made quilts in the botanic garden showroom by the New Mexico Quilters Guild to gain a greater appreciation of this centuries-old, yet still-thriving, art form.
At the Heritage Farm’s adobe farmhouse, more quilts will be on display, both hand-made and machine-made. Visitors can watch a quilter demonstrate the art using a sewing machine, illustrating how the art has been modernized and is still current.
Included with admission. Call (505) 848-7112 for more information.
Zoo Greeter Training
Tuesday, March 23, 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 24, 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/Garden Greeter Training
Thursday, March 25, 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 Overnight
Friday-Saturday, March 26-27, 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: $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.
Fishing Guide Training at Tingley Beach
Saturday, March 31, 9:30-11:30am
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.