The New Mexico BioPark Society (NMBPS) is a non-profit organization that supports the ABQ BioPark (Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden and Tingley Beach) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The NMBPS was founded in 1968 and has a mission to “inspire people to care for the natural world.”
The NMBPS is a partner of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the world’s largest and most respected conservation organization. The NMBPS works with the IUCN to assess the extinction risk of species, develop conservation plans, and raise awareness about conservation issues.
The NMBPS has a number of programs that support conservation, including:
- Species Survival Programs: The NMBPS supports the ABQ BioPark’s Species Survival Programs (SSPs), which are cooperative breeding programs for endangered and threatened species. The SSPs help to ensure the genetic diversity of these species and to prevent their extinction.
- Habitat Restoration: The NMBPS supports the ABQ BioPark’s habitat restoration projects, which help to protect and restore the natural habitats of the species that the BioPark cares for.
- Animal and Ecosystem Health Research: The NMBPS supports the ABQ BioPark’s animal and ecosystem health research, which helps to improve the health of the animals in the BioPark’s care and to better understand the threats to wild populations.
- Education and Outreach: The NMBPS provides education and outreach programs that teach people about conservation and the importance of protecting the natural world.
The NMBPS is a valuable partner of the IUCN and plays an important role in conservation. The NMBPS’s work helps to ensure the survival of endangered and threatened species, protect their habitats, and raise awareness about conservation issues.
Here are some specific examples of how the NMBPS has worked with the IUCN:
- The NMBPS has contributed to over 2,000 species-level extinction risk assessments, spanning 96 countries. This information is used to guide conservation planning and action by the ABQ BioPark, our partners in New Mexico, and conservationists worldwide.
- The NMBPS has helped to develop conservation plans for a number of species, including the black-footed ferret, the Mexican gray wolf, and the jaguarundi. These plans outline the specific actions that need to be taken to protect these species from extinction.
- The NMBPS has supported habitat restoration projects in New Mexico, including the restoration of prairie dog colonies, the reforestation of riparian areas, and the creation of wildlife corridors. These projects help to provide essential habitat for a variety of species.
- The NMBPS has provided education and outreach programs to thousands of people in New Mexico. These programs teach people about the importance of conservation and the threats facing wildlife.
The NMBPS is a committed partner of the IUCN and is making a real difference in the fight to conserve species and protect the natural world.
