Albuquerque Public Schools
Whitfield Ecology Field Program
Modeled after our Ecology Field Program and held at Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area in Belen, this program is for 5th grade students in and around Valencia County, NM.
Instructor Vince doing an activity with students at the Whitfield pond
Program Description
For schools in Los Lunas and Belen area, or anywhere in Valencia county, New Mexico or nearby, we teach our Ecology Field Program at Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area in Belen. This program covers all the same main concepts as the EFP and utilizes a number of hands-on activities designed specifically for its location.
Students are led on a flat hike through a floodplain ecosystem near the Rio Grande bosque, learning about and closely observing cottonwood trees and other plant species, a pond, sandhill cranes and many other bird species, plant species, lots of consumer evidence, ecosystem restoration projects, and perhaps a porcupine!
The program typically lasts 3 to 3.5 hours, including a 1/2 hr. lunch on the trail.
This program runs during January and February each year on specific days of the week.
Program Registration
To inquire about scheduling a Whitfield Ecology Field Program, contact Laura McCann, Environmental Education Program Manager with Valencia Soil & Water Conservation District, at LauraMcCann@valenciaswcd.org or (505) 864-8914.
Quotes from Students
“You taught me to be outside instead of my phone inside all day.”
“I loved the cranes. They make beautiful sounds.”
“The scavenger hunt helped me work harder and it also made me work together.”
“My favorite part on the field trip was when you guys were telling us that how animals were marking tracks and how bacteria flows in the air.”
“I will always keep in my head that Whitfield helped animals live and be free.”
“Thank you for teaching us about the wildlife where we live.”
“Thank you for all you guys have done! All of the wonderful things that you have showed us.”
“ I hope next time that one of my family members can come so I can teach everything you taught me.” –Grant