History of the Rio Grande Nature Center

By Karen Brown, Ph.D., former Manager of the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park

The 167-acre parcel of land bordering the Rio Grande formerly known as “Candelaria Farms” was left to the Sandia Foundation in the estate of Mr. Hugh Woodward. The land was held by the Foundation for several years and left undeveloped. The Rio Grande Valley State Park* Plan, developed in 1969 for the New Mexico State Park and Recreation Commission, recognized the potential of this large open space and specifically addressed the acquisition of the land at that time for use as a recreation area. This report also contained a recommendation for a nature study center to be located on the bluffs overlooking the Rio Grande, across the river and directly west of the Candelaria Farms site.

In 1975 the City of Albuquerque undertook a detailed study of the river and its environs as they impact the Albuquerque–Bernalillo County metropolitan area. The report of this effort was financed in part by the City and in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and was completed with the help of the Bosque del Rio Grande Nature Preserve Society. One of the report’s major recommendations was the establishment of a pond and restoration of the marsh on the Candelaria Farms site to encourage and support an aquatic plant and wildlife community. Also, the bluff site across the river was again recommended for a nature study center.

In 1976 citizen advocates of a nature preserve and study center were able to persuade the New Mexico Legislature to provide funding for such a facility. The City of Albuquerque lent support through a proposal to provide a site for the center. Based on recommendations of previous reports, the bluff site was investigated but it proved unavailable for purchase. As a result, the City opted to buy the Candelaria Farms site for both a nature preserve and a nature center. A grant was received from the federal Bureau of Outdoor Recreation’s Land and Water Conservation Fund, and the remaining funds needed for the purchase were consolidated through City Council action in February 1977.

Acquisition was completed by February 1977 and planning began on the Nature Preserve in March. Members of the City Open Space Task Force and the Bosque del Rio Grande Nature Preserve Society were instrumental in the design of the Nature Center and in the completion of the master plan.

In May 1979, architect Antoine Predock completed the master plan for the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park. Of the 167-acre Candelaria Farms site, approximately 38 acres were leased by the City to the New Mexico Natural Resources Department for the development of the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park. The state also leased 100 acres of wooded bosque west of the site from the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District for trail development. It is interesting to note that the site had two small houses located where the salvage yard is now, and a radio tower, which was located on the north side of what is now the main pond.

The original Nature Center was completed in 1982 with the grand opening in June. Governor Bruce King, Mayor Harry Kinney, State Park Director Mark Sideris and other dignitaries cut the ribbon opening the Center. The original building contained an office, restrooms, the Discovery Room, the exhibit area and the Observation Room and totaled less than 4,000 square feet. The maintenance shop and a trailer were also built at the same time. Dan Lawrence, the first park manager, lived in the trailer.

The main pond was originally constructed at just less than two acres and was expanded a few years later to three acres. Some waterfowl, especially geese, were pinioned and placed in the pond in the hopes of attracting other wildlife. The main pond was constructed with a plastic liner and is fed from a well. Several years later, the North Pond was built as mitigation for the Paseo del Norte road and bridge. This pond is a natural groundwater pond and water levels vary with the rise and fall of the water table

The first addition was made to the building in 1994 when the Nature Shop and classroom were added through a legislative appropriation. In 1996 the Discovery Pond was added and in 1998 the final addition was funded and built. As part of the addition project, the bathrooms were remodeled, and office space was added. In 2020, the Discovery Room and bathrooms were remodeled and updates were made to the main exhibit area.

Addendum to Dr. Brown’s Park History: A New Century
by Karen Herzenberg, former RGNCSP Instructional Coordinator

In 2001, the Candelaria Wetlands complex was constructed by the City of Albuquerque on the border of the State Park and City management areas and a wetland monitoring team was formed of scientists, volunteers, and students from Rio Grande High School. This team was managed by the Friends of the RGNC and it conducted monitoring from 2002 to 2005 (birds have been monitored there continuously since then). In 2002, the building that houses Wildlife Rescue, Inc. of New Mexico was completed. Also, in 2002 the management of the area of the
bosque formerly known as “The 100-acre Woods” was passed from the RGNCSP to the City of Albuquerque. The devastating Atrisco Fire occurred in 2003 (see article below). The NM State Parks day-use fee was instituted in 2004. The Park celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2007. The collaborative Silvery Minnow Channel project saw its first flow in 2009. The Education Building opened in 2011. The Silvery Minnow Channel interpretive signage was unveiled in 2013. The Candelaria Nature Preserve viewing platform and extended parking area were completed in 2016. The management plan for the acreage to the East of the Park and to the South of the Park is being rewritten and those area are now known as Candelaria Nature Preserve.