Rio Bosque Wetlands blooming after years of rehabilitation

That is the sound of a bullfrog croaking in the Rio Bosque wetlands in the Mission Valley.
They’re one of the dozens of animal species that have come back to the wetlands after years of rehabilitation

“We have water here now at the park almost year round, that has an influence to do with the different types of plants and animals that come in here,” said Bill Hoover, a master naturalist.

Before rehabilitation started in the late 90s there were less than 100 types of birds living the area, now after years of work, and with El Paso Water’s help pumping treated wastewater to the ecosystem since 2015, the number has shot up to more than 200.

“The purpose is to create a facsimile of the environment that existed here before,” explained Judy Ackerman from the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition.

Organizers and those who help keep the area running say it’s not only to help the local ecosystem come back, but to allow El Paso residents a chance to see what the borderland would look like without our cities

“This Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, 372 acres, this is a city park, it’s open to the public anytime the sun is up,” Ackerman said.

If you’d like to visit the park you can find the main trailhead at the following coordinates, since Levee Road in SOcorro doesn’t have actual addresses. 31.643103, -106.305384