Along with the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge to the south, they feed half of the waterbirds that winter in the Middle Rio Grande Basin.

More than 25,000 snow geese and 12,000 sandhill cranes winter in the Middle Rio Grande, and Bernardo is an important resting and feeding point.

Other wildlife include mule deer, coyotes, raccoons, pheasants, hawks, owls, quail, songbirds, different species of duck and occasional bald eagles.

[2] Ladd S. Gordon was a graduate of the University of New Mexico who began working with the Department of Game and Fish as a biologist and conservation officer, and became Director from 1963 until 1975.

He initiated a policy of holding public hearings on game management issues, and was successful in ensuring that legislature favorable to his department got passed.