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Albuquerque - Official City Website

The Aldo Leopold Forest and Forest Trail

Dedicated on February 15, 2009

February 15, 2009: Aldo Leopold Centennial Celebration and Aldo Leopold Forest Dedication

Activities include:

  • Tree Planting: In the morning, Roots and Shoots Leaving www.cabq.gov, click for disclaimer and the Albuquerque Wildlife Foundation Leaving www.cabq.gov, click for disclaimer will host a volunteer service project to plant trees in the Aldo Leopold Forest. (See the map below). The goal is to plant 100 trees in honor of the 100 years since Leopold arrived in the Southwest. Call (505) 264-8502 for more information and times.
  • Public reception from 1 to 3 pm at the Open Space Visitor Center.  The movie trailer for “Green Fire: The Life and Legacy of Aldo Leopold” will be shown. The film will be released in 2010. Speakers include dignitaries from the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Leaving www.cabq.gov, click for disclaimer , the City of Albuquerque, and the Aldo Leopold Centennial Celebration. Leaving www.cabq.gov, click for disclaimer
  • Forest Dedication, 3 p.m. A ceremony to dedicate the newly designated Aldo Leopold Forest, 53 acres of the Bosque, north of the Rio Grande Nature Center and south of Montano Boulevard, east of the Rio Grande. PARKING: Parking for the Forest Dedication is available at the Pueblo Montaño Picnic Area, located at Montaño and Coors. Walk east over the river to the site of the ceremony.

Contact the Aldo Leopold Centennial Celebration Coordinator, Dara Johnson, for more information at 505.898.6388 or djohn@bosqueschool.org.  

For more information go to www.LeopoldCelebration.org. Leaving www.cabq.gov, click for disclaimer

 

leopold"I am glad I shall never be young without wild country to be young in. Of what avail are forty freedoms without a blank spot on the map?"

~Aldo Leopold

 

 

 

The Aldo Leopold Forest and Forest Trail

In early 2009 the Open Space Division and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Leaving www.cabq.gov, click for disclaimer will dedicate a section of the Rio Grande Valley State Park as the “Aldo Leopold Forest.” See below for a map of the Forest and Trail, or download a high quality Aldo Leopold Forest area trail and access map. About PDF Files (PDF, 21.4 MB)

The City of Albuquerque first celebrated Leopold’s love for the Rio Grande’s cottonwood forest in 1998 by dedicating a fully accessible loop trail near the Rio Grande Nature Center Leaving www.cabq.gov, click for disclaimer in Leopold’s honor.  The Aldo Leopold Forest is planned for the area just north of this well known trail.

The Forest is approximately 53 acres in size, extending from the north boundary of the Nature Center to the southeast side of the Montaño Bridge. Plans for the forest include a naturally surfaced trail extending from the existing paved trail.  This trail would connect to the Montaño Bridge and will tie into existing trail systems on the west side of the river at the Pueblo Montano picnic area.  After the trail is complete hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians on both sides of the river will be able to enjoy an improved and expanded trail system.

Additional plans include interpretive signage that will honor Leopold’s legacy in New Mexico by promoting Leopold’s vision of an ethical relationship with the land.  The Open Space Division is also planning rehabilitation of the area including the removal of exotic species and the planting of native shrubs and cottonwoods.

Throughout 2009 the Open Space Division and the New Mexico Parks Department will host field trips to the Bosque.  Special ceremonies will be held on February 15th in honor of Leopold.

Call 897-8831 for details and locations.leopold forest map

About Aldo Leopold

leopoldAldo Leopold, considered the father of modern wildlife ecology, spent many years of his life in New Mexico and left behind an impressive environmental legacy in our great state. 

Among his many accomplishments are the creation of the Gila Wilderness near Silver City (the first proclaimed Wilderness area in the U.S.) and the foundation of the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation.  He also strongly advocated for the responsible growth of Albuquerque during his time here.

In 1909, Leopold graduated from the Yale School of Forestry and started a career with the U.S. Forest Service in Arizona and New Mexico.  2009 marks the 100th Anniversary of his arrival to the Southwest and the beginning of his celebrated career.

Leopold had a special love for Albuquerque.  It was here where he met his wife Estella and lived in a house near the Rio Grande.  In 1918, Leopold served as the Secretary of Albuquerque’s Chamber of Commerce.  At this time he promoted the creation of what would later become the Rio Grande Valley State Park.   Leopold’s vision and efforts also eventually lead to the creation of the Rio Grande Zoological Park, Botanical Gardens, and the Rio Grande Nature Center.

For more information about Leopold celebrations throughout the Southwest, see the Aldo Leopold Centennial Celebration website: www.leopoldcelebration.org Leaving www.cabq.gov, click for disclaimer

 

 

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