Tijeras Bio-Zone
Tijeras Arroyo Biological Zone Resource Management Plan
The Tijeras Arroyo is nestled between the Sandia and Manzano Mountains and encompasses a rich living history and diversity of vegetation, including large Cottonwood trees and willows. In 2014, the City of Albuquerque adopted a Resource Management Plan for the Tijeras Arroyo Biological Zone (Bio-Zone) due to its significance as a sensitive riparian area that provides critical habitat and a corridor for wildlife; aquifer recharge and tributary to the Rio Grande; and major historical and cultural site that connects Albuquerque to the East Mountains and larger grassland of the Great Plains to the east. The plan is available online.
The plan outlines the area’s importance and makes a case for why the City should prioritize a 3.7-mile stretch of the Tijeras Arroyo for acquisition and designation as a Major Public Open Space. Additionally, this area was included in City Council Resolution R-16-12, which prioritized significant areas to purchase for protection. Since 2018, the City has acquired 170 acres identified in these processes. The two most recent acquisitions include a historic 8.4-acre parcel that will be co-managed with the Cañón de Carnué Land Grant and the 25-acre home of the in-progress Tijeras Bio-Zone Center. The Center will enable the City to engage youth and families in meaningful programs connected to the Bio-Zone. This work has already begun in partnership with Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District.
This corridor historically and currently serves as a nexus of movement for vital resources and cultural exchanges to and from Albuquerque and now includes the historic Route 66 and Interstate 40. Preserving this area allows us to protect and celebrate the stories, culture, and traditions of the East Mountains communities irrevocably intertwined with Albuquerque and the unique riparian environment supporting abundant wildlife.
Tijeras Bio-Zone Center: Planning and Restoration Efforts Underway
The Open Space Division (OSD) is collaborating with the Ciudad Soil and Conservation District (CIUDAD) to enhance public programming and land restoration at the Tijeras Bio-Zone Center. CIUDAD has received $581,531 through three grants aimed at implementing stream restoration, floodplain improvements, and the design and construction of an ADA sensory trail and Education Center.
To ensure the project's success, OSD is working alongside various organizations, each bringing valuable expertise to the table, including:
- Hero’s Path Palliative Care (home-based pediatric palliative care)
- Nature Matters
- Talking Talons (youth environmental education and leadership programs)
- AMP Concerts (community concerts)
- NM Volunteers for the Outdoors (restoration and trail-building)
These collaborations aim to create a dynamic and accessible environment that benefits the community and supports ecological restoration efforts.
Public Input - Education Center
On September 19, 2024, a community meeting was held to gather feedback on the Tijeras Bio-Zone Education Center. Under contract with the City, Pland Collaborative presented three conceptual design options (Concepts A-C, linked below). Due to the project site being located in a floodplain, there are constraints on what kind of structure(s) can be built on the property. Each of the concepts addresses this by showing alternative options for a gathering/classroom structure.
Site analysis/Existing conditions
Concept A: shows a traditional new building in place of the old building
Concept B: shows a series of shade structures that are concentrated in one central area
Concept C: shows a series of separate shade structures of different sizes that are separated/decentralized
Share Your Thoughts
Your input is valuable in shaping the future of the Tijeras Bio-Zone Education Center! We invite you to review the design concepts and share your feedback through our survey: Tijeras Biozone Education Center.
If you have question, please reach out to Shannon Summers at [email protected].
Guided Tours and Volunteering
OSD and its partners offer guided tours upon request and will begin hosting monthly public tours. To learn more about volunteering or to get involved, contact [email protected] or call 505-768-4200.
Route 66 Open Space: Planned Public Access
The Open Space Division is working with Consensus Planning to design a trailhead and public parking at the Route 66 Open Space, which will include equestrian parking, an accessible hilltop trail, interpretive signage, shade structures, and other amenities. This is a major trailhead to a trail that extends to Manzano Four-Hills and throughout the Tijeras Bio-Zone. The site plan will be presented to EPC in the fall of 2023, and construction is estimated to begin in 2024.
Draft site plan construction drawing
Tijeras Creek Cultural Corridor Plan
The City of Albuquerque Open Space Division and partners are preparing the Tijeras Creek Cultural Corridor Plan (Plan) that will cover a geographic area spanning portions of the Tijeras Creek watershed starting at the Singing Arrow Community Center and archaeological site heading east to include the Carnué Land Grant, Village of Tijeras, and Bernalillo County Open Space as shown on the following context maps.
The Plan will be a guiding document that will help the City and other jurisdictions identify cultural and biological themes, planning priorities, and natural resource and cultural management objectives for trail building, interpretive signage, and other planning and implementation requirements.
The current phase of the project includes public outreach and engagement to gather feedback from local community members and visitors to determine what information on the area’s rich cultural, historical, biological, and geologic information to be included in any future improvements.
An Open House was held to gather public input on the following project initiatives:
- Open Space and Trail Maps
- Interpretive Signage Detail Options
- Branding and Logo Options
- Interpretive Themes
- Outline of Tijeras Creek Cultural Corridor Plan
A 20-30 minute presentation providing an introduction and context summary of the project was given at 11:00am and 12:30pm. Project representatives were available to answer questions and record public comments. View the presentation slides.
“Protect the living cultural landscape of the Tijeras Watershed for current and future generations by creating a sense of place through oral histories, landscape, and relationships between land, animals, water, and people.”
Goal Statements:
1. Improve access for all community members and visitors while ensuring conservation of wildlife, native plants, soil and water resources.
2. Include opportunities for cultural education and tie the area’s oral history to locations and landscapes through a variety of interpretive avenues including signage, trails, exhibits, brochures, and more in-depth online resources.
4. Consider improvements that protect the land and water from both natural and man-made impacts.
5. Provide a sustainable trail network for low impact recreation opportunities.
6. Conserve the archeological and cultural resources in the watershed for education and research.