Whitfield is a jewel in Valencia County
Sunday, September 13, 2009, 9:13pm
Gail Goodman of Los Lunas writes:
On September 8, 2009, the Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District held their first meeting in the newly constructed Visitor’s and Education Center. Notice of the meeting had appeared in the Valencia County News-Bulletin and it happened to be on a date and a time that I could attend. I had been curious about this project but had missed their previous events. I’m very happy that I didn’t miss this one.
The Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area, when it is totally up and running, is going to be a fantastic gift to everyone in our county, residents, local visitors, and tourists coming into New Mexico and our area. What a jewel and a gift, right off of Hwy 47!
According to the pamphlet created by the independent non-profit corporation, Friends of Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area, “in April of 2003, the Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District (VSWCD) acquired through donation the Whitfield-Trammel farm, a 97 acre tract of irrigated land bordered on the west by the Rio Grande and surrounded by mixed agricultural and residential properties. The land has since been put into a permanent conservation easement with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). WRP is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property.”
The site map provided by the Friends shows the varied habitat that is being created for migratory birds and area wildlife. The map reminds me of the awesome Bosque del Apache only in miniature, with wetland ponds, food plots, native grass meadows, wetlands meadows, and other areas to attract birds. Future Friend’s projects will engage the public in protection and preservation of the environment, educational, scientific and civic activities that will assist the Management of the area in fulfilling its mandate.
For county residents like me, who have visitors from out of state, or even out of the county, or just want a unique place to visit, this jewel of a project, obviously the vision of many, but come to light through the efforts of the hard working Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors and volunteer Friends of Whitfield, will be such an asset to all of us. With the birds and wildlife will come visitors who will certainly contribute to the county economy. A unique education environment near enough to county schools for affordable field trips is being created.
Actually, the benefits of this wonderful project appear to be boundless. We’re so fortunate to have county residents who care so much about this uniquely New Mexico plot of land. I’m so glad that I got to see Whitfield as the evening was closing in on the fields and the silence filled the place, as though in anticipation of the flocks of birds and visitors who will surely find their way there. Make sure that you are one of them!
Maybe you’d like to start your adventure by contacting Friends of Whitfield.
Valencia! has toured Whitfield. It’s a peaceful place to spend a little time.
A turtle pond in the Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area.
