ABSTRACT
The City of Albuquerque and surrounding Bernalillo County, New Mexico, offer a wealth of geologic, environmental, and cultural treasures. The Sandia Mountains and two other ranges rise a mile the city, creating a dramatic backdrop to the east. In 2003 and 2004, the voters rejected the formal consolidation of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. Nevertheless, the city and county often partner on open space preservation efforts and are co- owners of some of the preserves described. Upon adoption of the 1975 plan, the city formally established the Albuquerque Major Public Open Space Program. Four of the preserves are now units of the Petroglyph National Monument, protecting 17 miles of basalt rock escarpment containing almost 20,000 images of animals, symbols, and supernatural beings carved into the rock by Native Americans and early Spanish settlers. Portions of basalt rock escarpment were initially protected by the creation of Indian Petroglyph State Park, at Boca Negra, and Albuquerque's Volcano City Park.
