The New Mexico Backyard Refuge Program (NM ByR) is a partnership between Ciudad SWCD, the Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, and Valle de Oro NWR. We invite residents, as well as public and private businesses, to create wildlife habitats in their outdoor spaces, such as yards, patios, and balconies. Participants can certify their spaces to support local wildlife while receiving resources and recognition for their efforts. This, in turn, increases urban green space with inviting habitats for local and migrating wildlife and local humans, spreads knowledge about conservation and local wildlife habitats, and ultimately increases biodiversity in the region by creating a mosaic of wildlife habitats throughout communities. 

It is free to certify your space and your certification will provide valuable data on habitat connectivity for native pollinators and birds. 

We're working with partners to bring chapters to other areas in New Mexico.  Let us know if you or your organization would like to participate!

 For more information contact: Laurel Ladwig at laurel@ciudadswcd.org