Socorro: The Festival of the Cranes

THE FESTIVAL OF THE CRANES Nov 13-18, 2007 is the 20th year that the City of Socorro, New Mexico and the Bosque del Apache NWR have celebrated the return of the cranes with this festival. We invite you to share it with us.



(You can visit the refuge and the exhibitors this weekend without special registration.)



http://www.friendsofthebosque.org/aboutfestival.html

Education is an important part of the mission of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Throughout the year the Bosque is host to meetings, seminars, international film crews, tours, visits by groups of school children and, in November, the Festival of the Cranes.

There are four major components to the Festival: tours, lectures, exhibits and the Refuge.

Tours:
Tours are offered to introduce you to areas and topics not commonly available during the year. Birders will be out from dawn to dusk on and off of the Bosque. There is even a Birding Tour on Elephant Butte Lake. The management of local National Wildlife Refuges will conduct groups and explain in detail the operation of each refuge. During the Historic Socorro Open House photo galleries and historic buildings will be open for your inspection. New Mexico Tech and the Scientific community will also have displays and tours.

Caution to birders. Read the descriptions carefully - not all tours are for birding.

Lectures:
Lectures are offered for a variety of wildlife related subjects. Most lectures are given at the Macey Center in Socorro. Some lectures are workshops in photography, bird identification and wildlife painting. Workshops are conducted in the field or special facilities.

Exhibits:
On Saturday and most of Sunday the main Promenade, at the Refuge, will be filled with exhibits and demonstrations. This is where you will see animals up close, very close. Animal rescue groups will display mammals and birds along the perimeter of the Promenade. If you ever wanted a full head photo of a Flammulated Owl, this may be your only opportunity.

The Art tent and the Exhibitor tent are both special treats because many local and nationally known artists and artisans have booths with paintings and photographs for sale; and a variety of non-profits and rescue organizations and others have fun and informative exhibits. In the Visitor Center, you will find educational activities as well as items for sale.



Junior Naturalist Tour
10:00 am to Noon Sa95 - $1/10:00 am to Noon Su113 - $1
Bosque del Apache, Bosque del Apache



VERY beginning birders, naturalists, and explorers (ages 5 to 12) are invited to join one of the Bosque del Apache's Naturalists for a special tour of the Refuge. Take a short hike, catch aquatic creatures in the marsh, discover pack rat nest, and see where beavers live. Parents are welcome and must accompany their children (no charge). Offered Saturday and Sunday. Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot.