Why a Sanctuary?

The Randall Davey Audubon Center has a new entrance sign. We are now the Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary. Thanks to Tom Jervis, our board member who helped develop the project, and architect Jay Bush, who donated the design and coordination with the contractor, the Audubon Center now has a new sign and a new name. While for over 25 years we have been an education “center” with terrific, science-based environmental education programs, we are now also going to focus on how to protect, conserve and restore our property and species living here to help create a true “sanctuary.”

Sanctuary is defined as: a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept, a refuge which is a shelter from danger or hardship, a naturally-occurring area that provides protection for species, and a land managed to conserve species. As a part of our mission to protect and conserve wildlife species, the Audubon sanctuary already functions to meet the criteria described in the definitions above. This special place has an abundant diversity of species that are protected here, and that use this landscape to feed, nest, find shelter and breed (in some cases). Many migrants passing through find food and shelter here, while summer nesters (birds, mammals, insects, amphibians and reptiles) find a great, safe place to produce future generations of wildlife.

For our human visitors this place is truly a sanctuary. Whether a visitor has come here to bird from another state, or just up from town as a break from shopping or the opera (many say this), there is a calmness combined with abundant, healthy life that almost exudes from this landscape. Many find respite here while quietly walking through the gardens, hiking up Bear Canyon, or sitting on a bench on the grounds.

Over the next few years we will be focusing on what activities we can perform to improve this landscape, and make it more of a wildlife sanctuary. We’ll develop a forest management plan, look at restoration of the landscape on the hillsides, focus on how to more effectively interface with the surrounding natural areas, while protecting the richness that currently exists. We hope that you will join us with this endeavor. We are looking for ideas and how to implement them given the limitations of our budget. Call Center Manager Linda Newberry if you have ideas and want to help: (505) 983-4609.

Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary 1800 Upper Canyon Road, Santa Fe, NM 87504 Phone 505-983-4609 Fax 505-983-2255 Google Map | Directions