ABQ BioPark and Chevron Announce Partnership to Support Conservation
The ABQ BioPark and Chevron are pleased to announce a three-year collaboration to strengthen conservation efforts for New Mexico’s native species. Through an annual commitment of $200,000—totaling $600,000—Chevron will serve as an Official Conservation Partner of the BioPark, furthering vital projects that protect wildlife and habitats across the state.
“Conservation of wild things and wild places is paramount to our vision at the ABQ BioPark,” said Brandon Gibson, director of the ABQ BioPark. “Chevron’s partnership provides us with the resources to do instrumental work today and the opportunity to have a positive impact on tomorrow. This is incredibly significant for our team and our community.”
The partnership drives meaningful progress in conservation science and education, beginning with the near-threatened Rio Grande cooter—a turtle native to the region, including a population in Carlsbad near the Permian Basin. Working with the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish and North Carolina State University, the BioPark will maintain a small assurance population to safeguard genetic diversity and facilitate reintroduction efforts.
Promoting environmental awareness throughout the region is also central to this collaboration. The BioPark will house native plants, butterflies, and other insects—many of which are found nowhere else in the world—in its soon-to-open seed bank facility, ensuring these unique species continue to thrive.
“For over a century, Chevron has proudly been a part of New Mexico,” said Ryder Booth, Vice President of Chevron North America Exploration & Production Company’s Mid-Continent Business Unit. “Our collaboration with the ABQ BioPark to safeguard the Rio Grande cooter and other native wildlife aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship in southeast New Mexico, where our employees live and work.”
Through this partnership, the BioPark will enhance its ongoing conservation initiatives, bridging the gap between people and nature. By bringing the community closer to the biodiversity of New Mexico, the BioPark aims to inspire future conservationists and safeguard species facing extinction.
The New Mexico BioPark Society will manage the partnership, overseeing the allocation of funds to support the BioPark’s conservation initiatives. This effort provides vital support for the BioPark’s mission, further promoting environmental awareness across the region.
“At the BioPark, our priority is to foster meaningful connections between people and nature,” said Megan McCormick, development director for the New Mexico BioPark Society. “We are grateful for Chevron’s support, which empowers us to expand our conservation programs, protect imperiled species, and ensure a healthier planet for future generations."
Conservation at the ABQ BioPark
Admissions, New Mexico BioPark Society memberships, private donations, and corporate partnerships go a long way in funding ABQ BioPark conservation science programming and initiatives. We are proud to be a part of many local programs such as the seed bank at the Botanic Garden for rare and endangered plants, Mexican gray wolf conservation in cooperation with U.S. Fish & Wildlife, and breeding and release of the Rio Grande silvery minnow. You can read more about some of these programs below: