Rep. Vasquez Visits Bosque del Apache to Discuss Funding, Staffing, and His Push to Protect Public Lands

San Antonio, N.M.- On December 6, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02)visited the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge to meet with refuge staff, local partners, and members of the Friends of the Bosque to assess the impacts of chronic understaffing, federal budget cuts, and the recent government shutdown on one of New Mexico's most important pieces of public land.

During the visit, Rep. Vasquez toured the refuge's North Loop, received a briefing from Deputy Refuge Manager Bernard Lujan and refuge staff, and met with leadership from the Friends of the Bosque. The group discussed the refuge's growing operational challenges - including a decade-long staffing decline that has left just 10 employees to manage more than 57,000 acres- as well as drought pressures, reduced food production for migratory birds, and continued budget shortfalls following cuts that reduced the refuge's funding from $2 million to $1.4 million.

"Bosque del Apache is a place unlike any other in southern New Mexico - it's a haven for migrating waterfowl and a huge economic engine for Socorro and its neighboring communities. That's why I'm deeply concerned by recent cuts to the Wildlife Refuge system which have put an enormous strain on the staff who manage these places for the public," said Vasquez. "Our public land agencies must be well-staffed and well-managed for the benefit of rural economies and all Americans. Once we lose these places, and the integrity of their management, we can't get them back. We must protect our public lands at all costs."

Rep. Vasquez also highlighted the consequences of the cancellation of the annual Festival of the Cranes, a major cultural and economic event that typically brings $2 to $3 million in revenueto Socorro County and contributes to the refuge's broader $15.8 to $17 millionannual economic impact.

Rep. Vasquez underscored recent efforts he has led in Congress, including founding the bipartisan Public Lands Caucusearlier this year and preventing a predatory attempt to sell off millions of acres of public lands as part of the Republican reconciliation bill. The Congressman also serves as Co-Chair of the Wildlife Refuge Caucusand is working to bolster staffing and funding across the National Wildlife Refuge System. Earlier this year, he also introduced legislation designating National Wildlife Refuge Weekand the Arctic Refuge Protection Actto safeguard critical habitat nationwide.

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