Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, National wildlife refuge in Rio Grande County, Colorado.
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is a nature preserve covering several thousand acres of wetlands, meadows, and upland areas in the San Luis Valley at high elevation. The landscape includes designated viewing areas and driving routes where visitors can observe the habitats and wildlife throughout the seasons.
The refuge was founded in 1953 to protect migratory birds traveling along one of North America's major migration routes. Later development added water management systems to improve habitats for visiting and resident bird populations.
Water management systems built in the 1880s remain visible throughout the landscape and shape how the place functions today. They show how local communities engineered solutions to support bird habitats in this remote high-altitude area.
A driving route and walking paths guide visitors through the refuge where they can observe birds and other wildlife from designated spots. Visit during spring or fall migration periods for the best chance to see large concentrations of birds and other species.
The refuge uses artesian wells and historic irrigation canals to create artificial wetlands in an otherwise arid high-altitude desert. This engineered water system allows more than 200 bird species to thrive in what would otherwise be unsuitable habitat.
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