Wetlands & Bog Restoration

The Valles Caldera Trust, the Valles Caldera Coalition, Los Amigos de Valles Caldera, and others are partnering with the New Mexico Environment Department Surface Water Quality Bureau to restore bog and slope wetlands and floodplain wet meadow habitat on the Valles Caldera National Preserve. This project will use innovative restoration techniques being pioneered in New Mexico. This project will also contribute to the Draft Valles Caldera National Preserve Wetlands Action Plan and complete a wetlands action plan for San Antonio Creek on the Preserve.

Document: Statement of Work

Photo: Alamo Bog by Kathy Fraser

Bond Cabin Restoration Fundraising

Los Amigos has “adopted” the Bond Cabin. We are raising funds in order to restore this historic cabin. If you would like to contribute to this effort, please send your tax deductable donation designated for the “Bond Cabin Restoration” to:

Los Amigos de Valles Caldera
3250 La Paz Lane
Santa Fe, NM 87507

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The Bond Cabin has an estimated Deferred Maintenance cost of $90,000. The Bond Cabin is a log house constructed in 1918 by Frank Bond. Several improvements to the structure by the Dunigan’s after 1963, including interior remodeling and exterior additions, increasing the overall comfort and broadened the potential functions of the structure. Despite these modifications, the building retains historic integrity and embodies the historic character of the early 20th century. Its central location in the Headquarters area along the VC02 road makes it a visually prominent structure and a highlight for Preserve visitors wherever their destination.

The highest priority for deferred maintenance is to arrest and repair deterioration of the foundation. The sill logs are in an advanced state of decay and, as a result, lower wall decay, wall slumping, and window displacement and damage are pronounced and progressing. The concrete foundation and sill logs need to be replaced and the floor joists repaired. Other priorities include repair of original windows, repointing the stone chimney, sealing the attic to prevent access by bats and replacement of missing fascia boards. All of these repairs should be initiated after foundation repairs are completed (e.g., windows can be repaired when they are removed to facilitate foundation repair). Installation of a French drain will insure longevity of the new foundation.

In addition to raising funds for the restoration, Los Amigos plans to provide volunteer labor to assist in the completion of restoration projects, such as exterior water deflection structures.

Photos: (L) Courtesy of Valles Caldera Trust, (R) D. Rourke McDermott

Morton Bond Cabin Print

Los Amigos is very privileged to offer you a rare opportunity to own a print by well-known Western artist Gary Morton, and help restore the Bond Cabin on the Valles Caldera National Preserve at the same time. Gary made an extremely generous offer to Los Amigos. He painted a picture of the historic Bond Cabin, where he and his family stayed during the summer while they ran the cattle program on the Preserve, and he let Los Amigos make 350 signed prints of the painting to sell to raise money to help restore the Cabin. A copy of the print is currently hanging in the Bond House Museum in Espanola. For more information click here: MORTON PRINT OFFER.