The land that is presently Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge was operated for decades as a dairy farm.

[1] After the closure of this facility, this area was dominated by alfalfa and fescue fields, it became seen as a potential development site for suburban homes until its purchase by the Trust for Public Land was negotiated.

[2] A working farm remains at Valle de Oro NWR, with the on-premises agricultural setting transitioning into native Middle Rio Grande Valley habitats for resident and migratory wildlife.

Federal administrators plan to extend the bosque (riparian forest of the Rio Grande) onto the refuge.

[4] Valle de Oro NWR is designated as an Urban National Wildlife Refuge, due to its proximity to Albuquerque.