August 2019 Calendar of Events at the Open Space Visitor Center

Opening Reception for “The River, The Ocean, The Sea”
Saturday August 3, 2:00pm – 4:00pm. FREE! Come and celebrate the local opening of this international photography exhibition. Featuring the work of Nick Tauro Jr. of Albuquerque, NM, Fábio Miguel Roque of Sintra, Portugal, and Ong Hean Kuan of Penang, Malaysia. The exhibition features 90 photographs that explore each photographer’s relationship to his local source of water (the Rio Grande, Atlantic Ocean, and Adaman Sea, respectively.) This exhibition coincides with the release of a companion book of photographs. The exhibit runs through September 29, 2019. Call 897-8831 or see www.cabq.gov/openspace for more information.

Bosque Wild: Guided Nature Walk
Sunday August 4, 8:00am –10:00am. FREE! The Middle Rio Grande Valley is nature’s laboratory with a different lesson plan every season. This is a moderately strenuous guided hike along the banks of the Rio Grande and through one of the largest cottonwood forests in the world. Participants are encouraged to leave their pets at home. Space is limited. Please call 897-8831 for more info and to register.

Amending Desert Garden Soil
Saturday August 10, 9:00am - 12:00pm. Amending desert garden soil is a continuous effort. The class will cover the basics of soil constituents, soil testing and the benefits of the soil food web. The value of humus in finished compost will be prominent in the discussion. Options for improving soil fertility and resiliency in the face of warm temperatures and low precipitation will be presented. Useful take-home information will allow participants to plan for and implement soil amending practices right away. Space is limited. Please call 897-8831 to register.

Moonrise Concert with CW Ayon
Saturday August 10, 6:00pm – 8:30pm. FREE! The Moonrise Concert Series is a family-friendly series of FREE concerts featuring amazing local talent and diverse musical genres. In August, award-winning musician CW Ayon serves up the Blues of the Mississippi Delta with a side of green chile! Bring a picnic or enjoy food from a tasty local food truck! Doors open at 5pm for early picnickers. Music starts at 6pm. The Moonrise Concerts are alcohol-free events. Call 897-8831 or see www.cabq.gov/openspace for details.

Dragon and Tiger Medical Qigong
Sundays August 11 and August 25, 2:00pm - 3:30pm. Come discover the mysteries of Chinese Qigong. Qigong can help with general health, energy, and with keeping the organs healthy and the joints flexible. Minimum donation is $10.00. A portion benefits the Open Space Alliance. Space is limited. Please call 897-8831 to register.

Permaculture Workshop Series: Life in the Soil
Sunday August 11, 10:00am - 1:00pm. Permaculture experts Cameron Weber and Peter Callen guide a discussion on “Life in the Soil: the Landscape Underground.” The workshop will explore the soil food web including a close look at microscopic life found within the soil. Space is limited. Please call 897-8831 to register.

Insects of Albuquerque's Open Space: Pollinators and their Predators
Saturday August 17, 9:00am - 12:00pm. FREE! Photographer and entomologist Dave Melius presents a fascinating discussion and slide show of the weird and wonderful world of insects, with an emphasis on the insects found in our Albuquerque’s Open Spaces such as the bosque and Sandia Foothills. If you love the beauty of Monarch butterflies or are curious about strange insects such as the Assassin Beetles and Robber Flies, join us and learn what might be crawling around your own yard! Space is limited. Please call 897-8831 to register.

Trail Watch Volunteer Training
Saturday August 24, 9:00am - 12:00pm. FREE! Are you a walker, hiker, equestrian, or bicyclist who would like to have your observations assist in the overall protection of Open Space lands? Can you picture yourself spending a couple of hours each week at the Open Space Visitor Center, a serene retreat within the city limits? Become part of the community of Open Space and lend your talents in any number of ways from special events, to education, interpretation, gardening, publicity, trail maintenance, and more. Space is limited. Please call 897-8831 to register.

Meet a Gila Monster!
Saturday, August 24, 2:00pm – 4:00 pm. FREE! Jerry Tuttle of Zoo Crew Kids will lead a discussion on America's most legendary lizard. The presentation will include a live demonstration of a Gila monster and a Mexican beaded lizard and will culminate in a feeding demo after the talk. Space is limited. Call 897-8831 to sign up.

Insects of Open Space, the Photography of Dave Melius
ONGOING. FREE! The Open Space Visitor Center presents a collection of photography artwork of insects from the Bosque and other major public Open Spaces by photographer and entomologist Dave Melius. The photographs are not only beautiful, they also allow visitors to recognize and appreciate insects that reside in the City's Open Spaces as well as in their own back yards, broadening the appreciation of visitors to the fauna of this region. Call 897-8831 or see www.cabq.gov/openspace for details.

Open Space Explorer Packs
ONGOING. Children and children at heart can stop by the Open Space Visitor Center to check out an Open Space Explorer Pack and experience the natural wonders we have to offer. The backpacks are intended to get families outside and in nature to learn about plants, animals, and cultural resources found within Open Space. Each backpack is filled with exciting self-guided activities. The packs are available for use during Tuesdays-Sundays and must be returned by 4:30pm. Call 897-8831 to reserve a backpack for a particular time and day. Use of the packs is FREE!

Yoga with a View, Sundays at 9:00am
Begin Sundays with an invigorating YOGA session at 9:00am. Your first class is $5, subsequent classes are $15, and if you buy in bulk, they’re even less. Class fees include a donation to the Open Space Alliance.

About the Open Space Visitor Center: The Open Space Visitor Center is an interpretive hub for the Open Space program, lands, and resources. Visitors enjoy educational exhibits, art displays, wildlife fields, a Traditions garden, Bosque trails, and a variety of talks, workshops, demonstrations and entertainment. The Open Space Visitor Center is located at 6500 Coors Blvd. NW between Montaño Rd. and Paseo del Norte at the end of Bosque Meadows Rd. The Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and closed Mondays. Call 897-8831 for more information or visit www.cabq.gov/openspace.