More Local

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
• Former Marine to serve two years in jail for killing Albuquerque robber
• Wilson-Pearce battle for U.S. Senate exemplifies party's disparity

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation
• Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

When Jodi Hedderig does an environmental tour with a class of 40 children, only about 20 percent say they've been to the Rio Grande.

Hedderig, manager of the city's Open Space Visitor Center, said more people need to know how important it is to conserve nature and be aware of the beauty that exists in their backyard.

"It (the Rio Grande) is the lifeblood of Albuquerque," she said. "It's why we have a vibrant community here."

The 13th annual Día del Rio is designed to inspire celebration of the Rio Grande and the communities throughout the river valley, Hedderig said.

The event will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Open Space Visitor Center at 6500 Coors Blvd. N.W.

Hedderig said visitation to public lands in the United States has dropped about 30 percent in the last 20 years.

Día del Rio might help revive people's interest in the river and the bosque.

"It's important for the river itself to ensure people are stewards of the river and that legacy is passed on to children," Hedderig said.

This year's Día del Rio includes information tables from organizations working to protect the Rio Grande and the bosque.

The event is designed to get people involved in cleanup, improvements and helping the cottonwoods recover from past fires in the bosque area.

Mayor Martin Chavez said it's important to recognize the people who are devoted to preserving the bosque.

"It (the celebration) is a way to let all of our volunteers know how much we appreciate them and help them maintain their enthusiasm for the future," he said.

The Shed Some Light Jamboree, sponsored by the Sierra Club, will follow the event at 1:30 p.m.

People are asked to bring four incandescent light bulbs to the jamboree and trade them for compact fluorescent bulbs.

Shrayas Jatkar, conservation organizer at the Sierra Club, said energy efficiency is a good way to combat global warming.

"Over the lifespan of the fluorescent bulbs, it's about 800 pounds of carbon dioxide that would be prevented from being released into the atmosphere," he said.

The event will feature musicians, poets and artists.

Jatkar said the event fit perfectly with Día del Rio since they were both geared toward the environment.

Chavez said it's important to celebrate our natural resources.

"Water has a special place throughout history, particularly where it's scarce," he said. "Water is in short supply so we celebrate it, probably more than cultures that have lots of water."