Rio Grande Nature Center State Park is a 38-acre urban wildlife preserve in Albuquerque along the Rio Grande, established in 1982 to protect part of the Middle Rio Grande bosque. About two thirds of the park is reserved as habitat, while the rest includes a visitor center, gardens, ponds, trails, and education facilities. The constructed ponds recreate historic flood-plain wetlands and support a rich variety of wildlife, including more than 300 recorded bird species. Designed by architect Antoine Predock, the visitor center is a distinctive feature. The park serves as both a refuge for wildlife and a major place for birdwatching, environmental education, and experiencing the river’s natural setting.