Because of the Great Sand Dunes many wetlands and strategic location for many unusual migratory birds, the San Luis Valley is home to three national wildlife refuges. This refuge contains many restored or enhanced wetlands associated with agricultural lands. It is one of the hotspots in the valley to view thousands of sandhill cranes each spring and fall.

Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge a haven for sandhill cranes during spring and fall migration. Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge harbors a wide variety of birds. Look for brown highway signs for both refuges along Highway 160.

The surrounding mountains feed the arid valley with precious surface water and replenish an expansive underground reservoir. The mountain snow melt and artesian wells provide needed water to the agricultural community and to the rivers, creeks, and wetlands that thread across the valley floor.

The Refuge’s wetlands are artificially made and intensively managed to provide habitat for a variety of waterfowl and other water birds. Water from irrigation canals and wells maintain this important wetland habitat. Mallards, pintails, teal, and Canada geese are common, as are American avocets, killdeer, white-faced ibis, egrets, and herons.

This Refuge is one of over 560 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System – a network of lands set aside and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service specifically for wildlife. The Refuge System is a living heritage, conserving wildlife and habitat for people today and generations to come.

Credits and Sources:

“Monte Vista: About the Refuge,” U.S. Fisth and Wildlife Service, http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Monte_Vista/about_the_refuge.html, Accessed on June 28, 2015.

“Great Sand Dunes: Access to the Grasslands, Shrublands and Welands of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Vicinity,” National Park Service, http://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/upload/access_grasslands_wetlands.pdf, Accessed on June 28, 2015.