New Avian Murals Unite Art and Advocacy at ABQ BioPark Zoo

A surge of color and creativity has transformed the walls of Raptor Roost and nearby areas at the ABQ BioPark Zoo into bold, dynamic murals showcasing the wonders of New Mexico’s bird population, and the challenges they face from climate change and habitat loss. 

“I think people understand that birds are fragile, like the habitats where they live,” said the Bird Alliance’s Dana Loy. “What's good for birds is good for people, so in protecting birds, we also protect ourselves, our friends and families, and future generations. Art has a special way of reaching people, and we hope the murals will raise awareness of the climate threat to birds.”

The murals were created with passion and intention by two Albuquerque-based artists—Jade Cruz and Donny Kelley-Currens. The eye-catching art was made possible through a collaboration between The National Audubon Society, The Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico, and the City of Albuquerque. 

Work on the murals began in April, with an unveiling ceremony being held July 30. Out of more than two dozen applicants, Cruz and Kelley-Currens were selected for their expressive designs, community involvement, and emphasis on the environment in their artwork.

_{Artist and educator Donny Kelly-Currens pictured alongside a portion of his mural featuring a western tanager and northern goshawk.} 

“I author and illustrate children’s wildlife books, but this is my first-ever mural, so I was shocked to be selected,” said Kelley-Currens, who is a field science educator and videographer at Bosque School. “I love to share my love of nature, so I wanted to help out in some way because I believed it was such a cool project. It was a lot of research to figure out how to do this whole thing, but it’s been fun and I’m really happy with how it turned out.”

Kelley-Currens’ mural can be found in the area known as Phoenix Plaza, located next to the east entry point to Raptor Roost by the tortoise and Birds of the Island habitat. It depicts several bird species in three different habitats that they can be found in throughout New Mexico. The largest wall showcases a Great Plains habitat, inspired by a trip he made to Moriarty, NM. This portion features a ferruginous hawk, sage thrasher, grasshopper sparrow, and horned lark.

“It's a habitat that's being destroyed for farmland constantly, so I wanted to bring more attention to this often neglected habitat so that it can be seen as more than just future land to be developed on, and instead be viewed as a gorgeous place to experience the Great Plains,” he said.

The other two walls feature habitats reminiscent of the Sandia Mountains and the bosque surrounding the Rio Grande. They feature a western tanager, western wood pewee, mountain chickadee, and northern goshawk in the Sandia section. In the bosque artwork you can spot a spotted towhee, northern flicker, sharp-shinned hawk, black headed grosbeak, and western blue birds.

_{Kelley-Currens' mural features several different bird species in New Mexico in a variety of habitats.} 

“I wanted for people to look at the wall and recognize a place in New Mexico that they've seen, and be like, ‘Wow, I didn't know all that cool stuff lived there,’” he said. “I also wanted each bird to be doing something, so that just by looking at it you know something about the species.”

Being able to depict birds people may not otherwise see is crucial, Kelley-Currens said, because visibility can make all the difference in their conservation and protection. 

“I think that when it comes to nature, it's hard to love something unless you see it,” he said. “Whether it's a wildlife documentary, artwork, or even just being outside. The best way to connect with something is seeing it and seeing how cool it really is.”

Cruz, who describes themselves as a queer, gender-expansive Chicanx artist, said their deep love and appreciation of birds and the natural world is what drew them to the mural project. 

“During the early days of quarantine, I spent a lot of time in the Albuquerque bosque and the mountains,” said Cruz. “Over time, I began observing the birds more closely…learning their patterns, behaviors, and getting to know them and their environment. So when people sent me the call for this project, it immediately felt like the perfect fit. I was really excited to apply.”

_{Artist Jade Cruz pictured alongside a section of their mural featuring a broadtail hummingbird.} 

Cruz’ murals can be found on the inner walls of the Raptor Roost at both entry points. The bright, bold artwork celebrates the beauty, resilience, and significance of five bird species that are threatened by climate change in New Mexico. They include the pinyon jay, broadtail hummingbird, western tanager, American robin, and northern flicker. 

“Reciprocity, Reverence, Responsibility, Remembrance, and Restoration. These words are integrated into the imagery, flowing through each bird and surrounded by the native plants and food sources specific to their role in the New Mexico landscape,” said Cruz.  

Cruz said the mural design was inspired by the belief that to truly address climate change and its effects on all living beings, we must change the way we relate to the natural world and to each other.

“The imagery and words in the mural are meant to work together, highlighting our interconnectedness and encouraging viewers to reflect on the meanings behind the words,” they said. “It’s an invitation to examine our own values and roles in the climate crisis and to consider how we can shift our relationships toward care, reciprocity, and responsibility.”

Cruz said this project is important because it draws attention to how climate change affects not just humans, but the entire ecosystem. Utilizing public art for this project makes understanding these issues more accessible, said Cruz, as it offers a creative way to educate and inspire by “bringing beauty, awareness, and a deeper connection to the natural world into our shared intergenerational spaces.”

_{A portion of Cruz' mural features a broadtail hummingbird and western tanger along with words to encourage reflection.} 

“I see nature as a mirror of my inner world, my community, and my ancestors,” said Cruz. “It holds stories, wisdom, and ways of knowing that are passed down and can be brought into form visually through art. There’s so much the natural world can teach us about life, love, death, relationships, and the creative process itself.”

The BioPark is committed to supporting local and global conservation efforts, and is thrilled to be the home of this new, incredible artwork that honors our local bird population and sheds a light on the climate challenges they face. We invite you to see and contemplate these colorful creations for yourself during your next visit to the BioPark Zoo!

The new artwork is part of the Audubon Mural Project—a nationwide public art initiative dedicated to bringing attention to bird species threatened by climate change. This is the first Audubon Mural Project installation in New Mexico, and the only site currently in the southwest. To learn more, visit audubonmuralproject.org. 

To learn about everyday ways you can help protect birds, check out these resources from the National Audubon Society, National park Service, and Smithsonian National Zoo.