The native ecosystems historically found in the river valley in the Paso del Norte region are largely gone today.  You can get a glimpse of what that biologically rich and diverse environment once was like by visiting Rio Bosque Wetlands Park.  Efforts to restore native ecosystems have been underway at Rio Bosque since 1997, and the changes since then have been dramatic.  Take a relaxed 2-mile hike and explore the park’s ecosystems, discuss the historic river valley environment, and look at the ways the landscape at Rio Bosque is continuing to change. Event leaders: Urban TPWD Wildlife Biologist for El Paso, Lois Balin who is currently conducting studies of the Burrowing Owls of the Bosque, 915-774-9603, lois.balin@tpwd.state.tx.us; and Program Coordinator in the Center for Environmental Resource Management at UTEP and the manager of Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, John Sproul. 915-747-8663, jsproul@utep.edu. From I-10 take Americas Avenue/Loop 375 south to Pan American, turn left and travel 1.5 miles to the bridge. Meet at the Bosque Trailhead and Visitor Center.