I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT BEING AN ACTIVE PART OF THE COMMUNITY

Bringing a holistic mindset to organizational development is the key to success.

- Abby Boling

Urban Refuge A.R.T.S. Event

Webpage coming soon.

Urban Refuge Promo Materials

Webpage coming soon.

Urban Refuge Social Media Marketing

Webpage coming soon.

VALLE DE ORO - YOUR URBAN WILDLIFE REFUGE

REFUGE RUNNER MOBILE MURAL

A PROJECT DEVELOPED AS PART OF THE URBAN REFUGE CAMPAIGN

Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) is the nation's first Urban Wildlife Refuge established under the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Urban Refuge Initiative and the Urban Wildlife Refuge Standards of Excellence.
The last land acquisition was completed in 2014 making this Refuge a total of 570 acres. This acreage was formerly the Price's Dairy Farm located in the Mountain View neighborhood of the South Valley of Albuquerque, NM. Located within an underserved and over industrialized area the Refuge was established as a result of grassroots efforts and the desire to protect and preserve this property with it's water rights for wildlife and future generations. Working with the neighborhood, USFWS sought to utilize Valle de Oro to facilitate a better connection with urban communities to help grow a connections with conservation constituencies.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE AS PART OF THE URBAN REFUGE CAMPAIGN

The Refuge Runner Mobile Mural was developed as a part of a partnership between the Albuquerque Public Schools' Fine Art Department, the Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The Mobile Mural project actively engaged youth in learning activities to help them develop a deeper understanding of their role in conservation as it ties to the purpose of the Urban Refuge Initiative.
As part of a STEAM based lesson plan, high school art students explored creating monochromatic artwork while learning about the Refuge's native wildlife and the important role public transportation plays in reducing the carbon footprint of urban societies. Students were provided with outlined shapes of various mammals, birds and insects and challenged to think creatively to develop a scene inside the shape of their selected wildlife creature. Each art piece embodied the student's interpretation of the theme Valle de Oro - My Urban Wildlife Refuge.

STRATEGIC PLANNING GOALS ADDRESSED

The Mobile Mural Refuge Runner project addressed three primary strategic planning goals:
1) Provided a bus to close the three mile public transportation gap between the last city bus stop and the Refuge
2) Directly engaged youth in a learning experiences related to the Urban Refuge Initiative
3) Utilize a partnership with the Albuquerque Public Schools to engage an urban population with Refuge conservation efforts
4) To improve access to exploring the Refuge by having a ADA compliant bus
5) Raising the professional profile of the Refuge through creative marketing practices with a Mobile Mural
MY ROLES

FRIENDS OF VDO BOARD MEMBER

DIRECTOR OF THE OUTREACH, MARKETING AND COLLABORATION COMMITTEE

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Key Partnering Collaborators

• Jennifer Owen -White, US Fish & Wildlife Refuge Manager at Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge

• Ann M. Blankenship, Albuquerque Public Schools Secondary Art/Drama Manager Fine Arts Department

SHUTTLE BUS DONOR

CONTRIBUTING YOUTH ARTISTS

• Abel Madrid • Arianna Beyal • Diana T. Nguyen • Diana Tran • Hannah Ulibarri • Isaiah Lopez • Isaiah Torres • Jennifer Garcia • Logan Barlow • Macy Fuller • Max Harris • Naomi Ramos • Phuc Vu • Ryan Suazo

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Abby Boling

FUNDING ACQUISITION

• Jennifer Owen-White

CLASSROOM CURRICULUM TEAM

• Abby Boling • Katie Carrillo • Cinnamon Weaver • Resa Oglesby • Ariell Elliot • Jennifer Owen-White

GRAPHIC DESIGN TEAM

• Abby Boling • Katie Carrillo • Laurel Ludwig • John Castro

BUS LICENSING AND INSPECTIONS

• Ric Watson

CDL BUS DRIVER

• Rorik Rivenburgh

ART JURORS

• Bethe Sailer • Maddie Roeber • Denise E. Rudd • Abby Boling • Jennifer Owen-White

CONTACT ABBY

MISSION
To identify points of intersection and use creativity to positively affect change.

MOTTO
Live with passion, be engaged, and seek to do what fascinates, scares and intimidates you because life is both rich and short.

MINDSET
A holistic approach to organizational development is crucial for effective collaboration, growth and sustainability.

TOGETHER WE CAN DO GREAT THINGS!