New Mexico Entertainment

United States Interstate 25, Mile Marker 167

Rio Salado Sand Dunes: Sand blown northeastward from normally dry bed of Rio Salado forms dunes along this part of Rio Grande Valley.  Rio Grande is in deep down-dropped trench with uplifted Los Pinos Mountains to east and Ladron Mountains to northwest.  Rocks on crest of Ladrons are 4 miles deep below sand dunes.   Elevation 4,850 feet.

Sevileta-Campbell Foundation: The 228,000 acres of desert plains grassland surrounding this area were once a major portion of the Sevilleta de La Joya Land Grant, bequeathed to Spanish settlers in 1819 by the King of Spain.  This vast area is bounded on the east by the Los Pinos (the pines) Mountains, which rise to a height of 7,000 feet.  The west boundary is marked by the 9,000 foot Sierra Ladrones.   This name is Spanish for "mountain of thieves" and refers to their 19th century use by bandits and horse thieves.  According to legend, the mountains still contain hidden gold treasures.

In 1936, Thomas D. Campbell bought the property from the County of Socorro.  In 1973, in memory of Thomas D. Campbell, 220,000 acres of the Sevilleta were donated to the citizens of the United States by the Campbell Family Foundation, with the assistance of The Nature Conservancy as a natural area and wildlife sanctuary to be held forever in its natural state dedicated to ecological and wildlife research in a natural environment.

The property was conveyed to the United States of America to be administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.  Named Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, this area is being managed as a natural area for a variety of plants and animals and for scientific research and study by educational institutions and conservation agencies.  The gift, the largest grant of land ever bestowed upon the Service, was recognized by a special citation from Secretary of the Interior, Kleppe, in December, 1975.

April 2000

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