Rio Grande Valley Broadband • Entered by Susan Ostlie on March 28, 2021
Poole property preserve
January 11, 2021
Participants and Hours
| Pre Planning hours | 1 |
| Post Admin hours | 2 |
| Activity Hours | 1.5 |
| Participants | 5 |
| Total Hours | 10.5 |
Key Issue: Water-related Conservation
Activity Type: Advocacy (rallies, lobbying, meeting decision makers, letters/calls/emails)
Key Partners: Sierra Club, Alb. Open Space, RGVBB,
Short Description of Activity
A property that was supposed to be preserved for a city open space park has been mismanaged by the trust and they propose to sell it to a developer. It is an important part of the Rio Grande Bosque and contains an Oxbow that is vital migratory bird habitat, as well as habitat for other wildlife and preservation of a sandy bluff that will cause significant erosion in to the river if so much of it is paved over as the developer has proposed.
Reflection/Evaluation
The purpose of the meeting was to educate advocates to have the city purchase the property to add to the Open Space park system. A small community center could be added without compromising the property,and it would be used the way the original owners, the Pooles wanted it used. State funding is also sought, as well as LWCA and GAOA funds. One of the RGVBB Bros is on the Board of Directors for ABQ Open Space, and he is an excellent advocate. The city decided to purchase the property with help from other sources, and it has been withdrawn from development at this point in time. It is a rare victory, thanks to conservation advocates, including RGVBB members.