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Rio Bosque is a place where El Pasoans go to relax, reconnect with nature, and learn about our local natural resources.

The Park staff hosts:

• Community work days where volunteers can help maintain trails, natural communities, and water flow
• Birding tours where participants can see some of the 257 bird species that have been identified in the Park
• Introductory tours where the community can learn about wetlands, wildlife, and the importance of natural areas and freshwater
• Community events such as the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife annual BioBlitz, El Paso City Nature Challenge, and more

Contributions of private citizens have helped in all aspects of the Park including: education programs and other outreach events, ecosystem management, faunal monitoring, fundraising, and advocacy.  Many thanks to all that have participated!

Rio Bosque has a network of trails that wind throughout the park, ranging from the 2.4-mile Rio Trail to the 0.6-mile Bosque Trail (fully accessible).  All the trails require maintenance.  After the summer rains, many invasive species take sprout and take root.  Without volunteers helping to maintain trails and remove invasive plants, these plants can crowd out native species and reduce habitat quality for wildlife.  Help make a positive impact by volunteering your time at the Park.

Rio Bosque is rated as the #1 birding spot in El Paso by .  Over 1000 White-faced Ibis have been seen at the Park on a single day.  Texas Parks & Wildlife urban biologist Lois Balin has set up a remarkable array of artificial habitats to help burrowing owls find homes as urban sprawl displaces them.  Some special species seen this year include Least Bittern, Painted Bunting, and Red-necked Phalarope.  You can also see beautiful photos of birds taken at the Park.  Check out the of all 242 birds reported by visitors to the Park or download a for the Park.  Or go on a birding tour with Park Manager John Sproul.  Either way starting birding today!

Student groups regularly visit the Park.  ³ÉÈËÍ·Ìõ/EPCC students in the US Dept. of Education funded STEMGrow summer program have conducted research at the park for the past 5 years on topics such as nest production of Mexican ducks, mosquito monitoring, wetlands water quality and biodiversity, and pollination biology.  Other events have included hosting summer field trips for elementary and high school students to learn about water resources, desert arthropods, the importance of wetlands and more.

For the past two years, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Master Naturalists, the Nature Conservancy, and the Audubon Society have hosted the City Nature Challenge in El Paso.  Organized by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and California Academy of Sciences, this event is a challenge to see which city can document the most species.  Rio Bosque Wetlands Park was one of the primary observation sites.  See how we  against other cities in 2021.  Will you help us do even better next year?