NMVFO started its 40th season with a trail project at Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, just south of Albuquerque. About 20 volunteers and agency staff gathered at the new partially-opened visitor center for a talk about the refuge and a briefing on what is planned for the day.
We divided into teams and worked on raking tread and clearing brush along the North Loop Trail, an old roadbed dating from when the refuge land was a dairy.
After several video conferences planning the season, it is a relief for trail volunteers to meet in-person and work together in the real world.