ALAMOSA, Colo, May 9, 2006 -
Ducks Unlimited recently recognized the contribution made by Wayne and Joe Harley, father and son, to projects in the San Luis Valley by dedicating a unit of the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in the Harley name. A ceremony was held at the site, near Alamosa, Colorado, on May 6.
The Harleys donated over $100,000 for use in the San Luis Valley priority area. The Harley family lives in Albuquerque, a city with a biological connection to the San Luis Valley since the Rio Grande River runs through both and serves as a migration path between the two.
The San Luis Valley is widely recognized for its important migrating and breeding habitat for migratory birds. The valley’s continentally important wetlands provide critical migration and wintering stopover points for Central and Pacific flyway ducks, sand hill cranes, waterbirds and shorebirds. The area is also among the most productive breeding habitats in North America for numerous duck and colonial wading bird species. Given these exceptional habitat qualities, the region is a top priority for DU and its partners.