Environmental Education of New Mexico

Aldo & Estrella Leopold Residency Lecture with John Michael Campbell "Sunrise Bird Soundscapes" (Community Event)
2025-07-08 17:30 (America/Denver) | SOMOS, 108 Civic Plaza Drive, Taos, NM, United States
*Organized and led by the Leopold Writing Program*
Join the Leopold Writing Program on Tuesday, July 8th at 5:30pm at SOMOS (108 Civic Plaza Drive Taos, NM 87571) to hear mid-June/mid-July 2025 Aldo and Estella Leopold Resident John Michael Campbell (Mike) present his interactive Residency talk: “Sunrise Bird Soundscapes.”

Weather permitting, audience members will be invited to join Mike for a guided birdsong walk through Kit Carson Park following his talk.
This event is free and open to the public.

Yoga in the Park (Community Event)
2025-07-10 18:30, 2025-08-09 10:00, 2025-09-04 18:30 | Bachechi Open Space, 9521 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87114
*Hosted by Latino Outdoors and Tierra Sagrada*
Come join us for a rejuvenating morning of yoga in the park with Tierra Sagrada! Let’s stretch, breathe, and find our inner peace surrounded by the beauty of nature at Bachechi Open Space. No experience necessary, just bring your mat, water, and positive energy. See you there!
Contact lauraflores@latinooutdoors.org with any questions.

The Croak in the Cattle Tank: The History and Future of Bullfrogs in the American West with Derek Halm, PhD (Community Event)
2025-07-30 18:00 - 20:00 | New Mexico Land Conservancy, 5430 S. Richards Ave, Santa Fe, United States
Event organized and led by The Aldo & Estella Leopold Residency

Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Location: New Mexico Land Conservancy
5430 S. Richards Ave | Santa Fe, NM

and virtual (RSVP provides Zoom information)

Description:
The Aldo & Estella Leopold Residency offers environmental writers a month-long retreat to work on their writing. In his public lecture, July Resident, Derek Halm, PhD, will share his research on the American Bullfrog. He will examine newspaper accounts and government records that chart the bullfrog’s westward expansion, shedding light on the cultural, economic, and environmental forces that shaped its journey.
Alongside the historical narrative, he will explore the lasting ecological impacts of the species’ spread, the ongoing challenges of managing invasive wildlife, and the deeper philosophical questions that arise when ecosystems change. This talk invites listeners to consider what it means to live in a world constantly being reshaped—by species, stories, and decisions made long ago.

Cost: Free. RSVP encouraged. RSVP link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnH_4qZsY_ZfWOxTFcBRgv92SJtxQOmErxXgSVwuQEoeF9Aw/viewform

Event phone number: 973 476 9112

Website: https://www.leopoldwritingprogram.org/residency.html

Contact info:
Nina Simon
973 476 9112
nina@leopoldwritingprogram.org

Opening Doors to Nature Scholarship Program Deadline (Community Event)
2025-08-01 23:59 | NM
The Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge announces the Friends of Valle de Oro Opening Doors to Nature Scholarship Program for the 2025-2026 school year. Under the Program this year, the Friends will award scholarships with the minimum individual amount being $500. These scholarships will be awarded to undergraduate college students who are enrolled for the 2025-2026 academic year in an undergraduate conservation/environmental-focused degree or certificate program.
Program Guidelines and Priorities:
Students must meet at least one of the following criteria in order to apply:

Attended a High School or College within New Mexicoand are currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a (2)-year community college or (4)-year college or university in any location. OR
Attended a High School or College outside of New Mexico but are currently enrolled in a two (2)-year community college or four (4)-year college or university within the state of New Mexico. Undergraduates only.
Students who are eligible can apply in more than one year, but this Scholarship can be awarded to an individual only one time.

Some preference may be given to applicants who have participated in a Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge or Friends of Valle de Oro NWR project, internship, or program, but this experience is not required.
Completed applications must be received by the Friends of Valle de Oro no later than 11:59 pm Friday August 1, 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Applications will be reviewed and award recipients selected by the Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge Scholarship Committee. The scholarship winners will be informed on Monday August 11, 2025.

Friends Day at Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park (Community Event)
2025-08-09 08:00 - 11:00 | Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park, 56501 N Jornada Rd, Las Cruces, NM, 88012, United States
*Organized and Led by Asombro Institute for Science Education*
Our next Friends Day will be Saturday, August 9th at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park. We will be working on the Gateway to the Desert Trail:
-Help us maintain the trail by pruning plants, fixing rock lining along the trail, wiping interpretive signs, and removing any trash.
-Learn about CDNP iNaturalist project and how to use the iNaturalist app.
· Meet at the upper parking lot near the restrooms
· Bring work gloves, water, and a hat.
· We will have tools, snacks and gloves to share.
Email luann@asombro.org for more information or questions.

2025 Wildlife Wonders (Community Event)
2025-08-30 09:00 - 12:00 | Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park, 56501 N Jornada Rd, Las Cruces, NM, 88012, United States
*Organized and hosted by the Asombro Institute for Science Education*
You’re invited to Wildlife Wonders Asombro’s Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park on Saturday, August 30th, from 9 am until noon. Hands-on booths and family friendly activities will be themed around New Mexican animals in need of conservation and awareness. Wildlife Wonders is supported, in part, by a grant to Asombro from the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish Share with Wildlife Program.
This event is free to the public but a suggested donation of $5 per person or $10 per family will be welcome.

Causes and Effects of Climate Change in the SW (Community Event)
2025-09-10 16:15 - 18:15 | NM
*Organized and hosted by the Asombro Institute for Science Education*

Causes and Effects of Climate Change in the SW:

Wednesday, Sept 10th, 4:15-6:15 MST
Virtual event via Zoom

Help students break the global issues of climate change into small pieces with local issues, data, and examples from across the Southwest. In this interactive workshop, we will practice and demonstrate several lessons from Asombro’s free climate change curriculum. Lessons include games, models, experiments, and data analysis about climate change’s impacts on the people and ecosystems of the Southwest, from water, to wildfire, to agriculture.

All participants receive access to Asombro’s 20 Climate Change in the Southwest lessons, and free classroom materials while supplies last.
For more information and to register, visit www.asombro.org

A Reverence for Rivers: Luna Leopold's Call for a Water Ethic
2025-09-28 17:00 | Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm, 4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87101, United States
6th ANNUAL LEOPOLD LECTURE
Cynthia Barnett
“A Reverence for Rivers: Luna Leopold’s Call for a Water Ethic”

Sunday, 28 September 2025 | 5:00pm
La Quinta Ballroom
Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm
4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87107
Tickets can be found here.
THE LECTURE
Join water author and journalist Cynthia Barnett for the 2025 Leopold Lecture as we explore the ideas of river hydrologist Luna Leopold, who articulated a “water ethic” for the United States, just as his father gave us the land ethic.
Born in New Mexico in 1915 while Aldo Leopold was working for the forest service, Luna Leopold would grow up to become the father of modern hydrology. His ideas about our relationship with water form the philosophical underpinning for much of today’s restorative water management.
But the only way to truly change our water fortunes, he believed, would be a “reverence for rivers.” He described such reverence as an “ethos for water,” a set of guiding beliefs among government, large water users and citizens to help us live with water today in ways that don’t jeopardize fresh, clean water for future generations and nature.
A half century after Luna Leopold’s prescient warnings about future water shortages and ultimate solutions, can New Mexico help lead the country to a new water ethic?

CYNTHIA BARNETT is an environmental journalist and the author of four books including Rain: A Natural and Cultural History, and The Sound of the Sea: Seashells and the Fate of the Oceans, both named among the best books of the year by NPR’s Science Friday.
She wrote about Luna Leopold and the water ethic in her book Blue Revolution: Unmaking America’s Water Crisis. Her new book underway, The Sea Beneath Us, explores the secret history and hidden crisis of groundwater. Cynthia also serves as the director of Climate and Environment Reporting Initiatives at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications.

Learn more about Cynthia and read her articles here.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

4:30 pm – 5:00pm: Book sales
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Lecture and Q&A
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: On site book signing

Observe the Moon Night 2025 (Community Event)
2025-10-04 17:00 - 20:30 | Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, 60 Columbine Ln, Cedar Crest, NM, 87008, United States
*Organized and led by the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center*

Visit the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center for our annual event as part of International Observe the Moon Night!
Gaze at the moon and stars through telescopes, see live raptors up close, do moon activities, and check out our one-room NMMNHS Museum Outpost.
Car registration is required to park. Carpool if you can!
Laura McCann of Raptors of NM Foundation will present with live birds of prey at 5:30 pm.
Jim Greenhouse from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science will talk about the PUNCH Solar Mission at 6:30 pm.
Night sky gazing starts at 7 p.m. (weather permitting) and goes until 8:30 pm.
Admission by Donation. Bring cash if you’d like to donate in person, and to purchase SMNHC swag (water bottles, t-shirts, field guides).

Schedule
5 PM: Gates open. Our one-room museum opens for the evening.
5:30 PM: Live Raptor Presentation by Laura McCann of Raptors of New Mexico Foundation
6:30 PM: PUNCH Solar Mission Talk by Jim Greenhouse of New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
7-8:30 PM: Night Sky Viewing (weather permitting)

Questions? (505) 281-5259

Friends Day at Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park (Community Event)
2025-10-11 08:00 - 11:00 | Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park, 56501 N Jornada Rd, Las Cruces, NM, 88012, United States
*Organized and Led by Asombro Institute for Science Education*
Vista Trail Cleanup Day:
-Help us maintain the trail by pruning plants, fixing rock lining along the trail, wiping interpretive signs, and removing any trash.
-Learn about CDNP iNaturalist project and how to use the iNaturalist app.
· Meet at the upper parking lot near the restrooms
· Bring work gloves, water, and a hat.
· We will have tools, snacks and gloves to share.

The NM Outdoor Learning Summit
2025-11-01 09:00 - 17:00 | Bosque School, 4000 Bosque School Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87120, United States
EENM is excited to announce that we will be hosting an NM Outdoor Learning Summit on November 1, 2025 at Bosque School in Albuquerque.

This summit will give educators (both formal and nontraditional), nonprofit leaders, agency staff, and supportive community the chance to come together for a day of learning, sharing, and celebrating among the golden cottonwoods!

Registration will open September 1st, 2025. Members will receive a registration discount. If you would like to sign up for summit updates, fill out this quick form.

We are currently looking for summit session proposals. If you or your organization is interested in presenting at the summit, please apply with a session idea at this link.

We hope to see you there!

Asombro Monthly Volunteer Gathering (Community Event)
2026-01-13 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-02-10 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-03-10 09:30 - 10:30 | Asombro Institute for Science Education, 401 E College Ave, Las Cruces, NM, 88005, United States
Join us for our monthly volunteer gatherings, held on the second Tuesday of every month from 9:30AM -10:30AM at the Asombro Institute for Science Education office at 401 E College Drive, Las Cruces. This is a great opportunity to meet other volunteers who have worked in the education and STEM realms, have a shared interest in promoting science among K-12 students in our local schools, and have a passion for contributing to the great community we live in! We work on a variety of tasks such as prepping materials for Asombro’s education programs, compiling kits for teacher workshops, assembling items for classroom science experiments, and whatever else is needed to increase natural science literacy through engaging, place-based education!

Project WET Water in Earth Systems Workshop (Community Event)
2026-01-17 09:00 - 12:00 | SFWA Office, 1413 Second St., Suite 3, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, United States
Teachers and Environmental Educators,
Join the Santa Fe Watershed Association for the next water education workshop in our series!

SFWA is holding a free half day workshop on Saturday, January 17, 2026. At the workshop we will explore the properties of water, global water distribution, and management activities with Project WET’s Water in Earth Systems guide. Lessons are standards aligned and can be modified for K-8 classrooms. For more information or to register go to: https://www.santafewatershed.org/education-and-outreach/teacher-workshops/

Please share the attached flyer with any other educators that you think may be interested. We hope you can join us!

Best,
Julie

Bosque Education Guide Workshop (Community Event)
2026-01-17 09:00 - 16:30 | Valle del Oro Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd St SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87105, United States
The Bosque Education Guide Workshop
Saturday, January 17, 2026
9 a.m. – 4: 30 p.m. Location: Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge
The Bosque Education Guide is an interdisciplinary curriculum about the Middle Rio Grande Valley ecosystem. The curriculum provides classroom-based and field activities for students grades K-12. For the central activity, students construct a model of the Middle Rio Grande and then manipulate the paper and cloth pieces to demonstrate human impacts over the last two hundred years. Later, they “restore” the ecosystem. Newly updated activities include Next Generation Science Standards/NM STEM Ready! Science Standards.
The curriculum is downloadable on the website:
http://www.nmnaturalhistory.org/educational-resources/sections/bosque-education-guide

Features of the Bosque Education Guide curriculum

Over 700 pages of K-12 activities; many now NM STEM Ready!/NGSS aligned
Spanish materials available for download
Background and appendices for teachers
Suggestions for service learning in the bosque
Topics include:

Field Activities
The geology of the valley, surface and groundwater
Demands on the river’s water budget
Flora & fauna of the valley
Natural history & human influence
Fire in the bosque
Energy and matter in ecosystems
Bird migration

Workshop information/Registration
https://www.nmnaturalhistory.org/events/bosque-education-guide-workshop-3
Workshop activities will occur indoors and outdoors. Participants should dress in comfortable clothing for the weather that day, warm jacket, good walking shoes, and hat. Bring a sack lunch and water bottle.
Workshop fee: $25 includes curriculum and binder (700+ pages), laminated kit, expert facilitator guides and refreshments.
Registration: https://my.nmculture.org/49797/52654:
Refund Policy: Registration is refundable up to one-week prior to the workshop.
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge is located at 7851 2nd St SW, Albuquerque 87105.
Five miles south of downtown. https://www.fws.gov/refuge/valle-de-oro
Questions: Tish Morris– tish.morris11ATgmail.com; Sivan Gordon-Buxbaum at RGNC 505-344-7240; Sivan.Buxbaum@emnrd.nm.gov; Dakota Dominguez at VdO 505-328-9876; dakota_dominguez@fws.gov

Water & AI in NM for Students (Community Event)
2026-01-31 09:00 - 15:00 | Bosque School, 4000 Bosque School Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87120, United States
On Saturday 10 January 2026 Bosque School (Albuquerque) is hosting a one day AI and Data Centers focused workshop, specifically for young people, especially high school students, but other young people will be welcome too. Specifically it will be about exploring both the potential benefits of those facilities as well as their energy, water, and other environmental needs especially as they relate to competing interests in New Mexico including agriculture, wildlife, and fisheries. The workshop will involve hands-on and participatory opportunities for young people to learn about and form their own opinions about these topics.

This FREE event is from 9am – 3pm and lunch and snacks are provided. Any student can participate but the conversation and activities are geared towards a high school audience. To register, email Kim.fike@bosqueschool.org.

Seeds and Soil Workshop (Community Event)
2026-02-26 14:00 - 16:00 | NM
A virtual workshop for educators, librarians, and out-of-school time providers (2 CEU hours).
Come learn how to plant seeds of STEM with your students! You’ll get your hands dirty and design your own seed through the engineering design process. You’ll immediately be able to apply these ideas with your students!
Register here: https://forms.gle/fMpHgAtFvKQ9eEvi9

Engineering Problem Solving through Wildlife Conservation (Community Event)
2026-03-21 09:30 - 15:30 | NM Department of Game & Fish, 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87120, United States
The Asombro Institute for Science Education presents:
Engineering Problem Solving through Wildlife Conservation
Spark your students’ imagination and problem solving skills with four classroom-ready lessons that cover the NGSS Engineering Design standards. In each hands-on, place-based lesson your students will think critically about how humans can help conserve New Mexican Wildlife.

New Mexico Outdoor Festival and Skills Competitions (Community Event)
2026-03-31 12:00 - 21:00 | Legacy Ranch, 74 Barton Rd, Edgewood, NM, 87015, United States
The New Mexico Wildlife Federation is hosting the New Mexico Outdoor Festival and Skills Competitions on April 4th at Legacy Ranch Shooting Range in Edgewood. Join us for a day to celebrate outdoor skills and traditions in hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.
Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
Visit our website for more information: https://www.nmwildlife.org/nm-outdoor

Asombro Institute for Science Education's Art in the Park (Community Event)
2026-04-11 09:00 - 11:00 | Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park, 56501 N Jornada Rd, Las Cruces, NM, 88012, United States
Saturday, April 11 9:00am-11:00am
Come celebrate art and nature with Asombro at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park during this free event. Hands-on, family friendly activities and demonstrations will showcase local artists from ArtForms, the Las Cruces Arts Association, the New Mexico Watercolor Society, and Asombro. Booths will be located near the upper parking lot at the Park.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will occur during the event at 10 AM to celebrate the official opening of the new 75-seat amphitheater as well as the surrounding permanent art installations.

Webinar – Dark Skies: Rare Phenomena in America’s Public Lands (Community Event)
2026-04-17 19:00 - 20:00 | NM
What happens on our public lands after dark? The Milky Way rises above the New Mexico desert. Once-in-a-lifetime comets and meteors streak through the sky.
Join us for an evening with award-winning photographer Jeff Pfaller as he shares his 5-year journey exploring America’s public lands at night. You’ll hear about rare dark sky phenomena and tips for experiencing these bucket-list moments yourself.
Jeff Pfaller is an award-winning photographer, writer, and self-described “parkaholic.” Based in Chicago, he runs Jeff Pfaller Art & Photography, a creative studio focused on capturing rare, ephemeral natural events.
This webinar is co-hosted by New Mexico Wild and New Mexico DarkSky, with in-person gathering and telescope viewing options hosted by New Mexico DarkSky and local partners.
View the webinar virtually: Zoom link
When: April 17 | 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Watch the webinar in person & join a telescope viewing:

Albuquerque – Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 7851 2nd St SW | Telescope viewing following webinar
Belen – Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area, 2424 NM-47 | Telescope viewing following webinar
Las Cruces – New Mexico State University, O’Donnell Hall Room 111, 1220 Stewart St | Telescope viewing following webinar at Tombaugh Campus Observatory
Santa Fe – Santa Fe Community College Planetarium, 401 Richards Ave | Telescope viewing following webinar
Taos – Bataan Hall, 121 Civic Plaza Dr | Telescope viewing on Saturday, April 18 at 8:15 p.m. at Wild Rivers Visitor Center, 1120 NM-378, Questa

Introduction to Backpacking-Overnighter (Community Event)
2026-04-18 - 2026-04-19 | Tapia Canyon
Join us for a beginner overnight backpacking trip in partnership with Sierra Club on April 18 through 19. Description: This is the perfect outing for those who have never backpacked before and would like to give it a try in a low-risk environment, accompanied by several experienced mentors. We’ll backpack approximately three miles into the backcountry in Tapia Canyon near San Ysidro, NM, setup a base camp and then explore the surrounding area where there are petroglyphs, slot canyons and a number of puebloen ruins. **Latino Outdoors is able to provide a backpack, tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad upon request. If interested, please email Outings Leader Roman at roman@latinooutdoors.org by April 10th.

Flow of Wildlife Mural Installation/Opening (Community Event)
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Railyard Park, 740 Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe, NM, 87505, United States
Flow of Wildlife by Jessi Cross
Mural Installation/Opening
Saturday, April 18th, 10am-12pm
Railyard Park Children’s Play Area

Join the Railyard Park Conservancy for a free, family-friendly event celebrating the installation of Jessi Cross’ large-scale mural, Flow of Wildlife, in the park’s Children’s Play Area.

• Drinks • Snacks • Sand Play Activities
• Music and Sing Along with Queen Bee Music Association

School Garden Success Panel
2026-04-22 14:30 - 15:30 | NM
April is National Garden Month and School Garden Month! At EENM, we’re digging into the magic that teachers, students, and communities create when they grow campus gardens together. 🌱
Ready to grow your own success? Join us April 22, 2:30–3:30pm via Zoom for our School Garden Success panel. Get the inside scoop from educators who’ve turned school gardens into thriving green havens, packed with tips, tricks, and real talk on overcoming garden hurdles. Register here, bring your questions, and let’s cultivate inspiration!

Desert Data Jam (Community Event)
2026-04-23 18:00 - 19:30 | New Mexico State University, 1780 E University Ave, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, United States
The Desert Data Jam challenges middle school students to find interesting ways to present scientific data to non-scientist audiences. Learn more here.
Families and the public are invited to view projects at 6:00, the award ceremony will begin at 6:30.

Earth Day in The Railyard Park (Community Event)
2026-04-25 10:00 - 14:00 | Railyard Park, 740 Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe, NM, 87505, United States
Encouraging the Ecotone: life is richer in the overlaps
Saturday, April 25th, 10am-2pm

The Railyard Park Conservancy and more than 20 community partners are hosting a free Earth Day event in the Railyard Park! Come out and enjoy a wide range of family-friendly activities, including:

• Graze Days • Live Music • Worm Fun • Kids’ Nature Play • Seed Ball Making
• Face Painting • Stilt Walker • Guided Plant Tours • Much, Much More

NM Outdoor Learning Summit
2026-09-12 09:00 - 2026-09-13 12:30 | Berna Facio Professional Development Center, 3315 Louisiana Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87110, United States
Environmental Education of New Mexico is proud to announce the 2026 NM Outdoor Learning Summit on September 12, 2026 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
This unique event will bring together teachers, nonprofit leaders, and government agency staff for a day of building collaborations, sharing stories, and celebrating the unique cultural and physical landscapes of New Mexico. Attendees will experience hands-on sessions with local experts on topics such as youth-led decision making, bilingual program design, and much more!
This year’s summit will be accompanied by a Summit field trip on Sunday, September 13th at the Los Ranchos Agri-Nature Center. Programming at the event will center around teaching through gardening and growing. The field trip will run from 9am-12:30pm and will include a tour of the center, a workshop with a local outdoor learning provider, and lunch.
Registration is now open! Register here before August 15th for a $25 early bird discount!
Registration Pricing

Registration type
Cost

Standard Early Bird (before 8/15)
$50

Standard (after 8/15)
$75

Member Early Bird (before 8/15)
$30

Member (after 8/15)
$50

Field Trip Early Bird (before 8/15)
$20

Field Trip (after 8/15)
$40

EENM members receive a discount as well. To purchase a membership and save on summit registration, click here.
