A twelve-spotted skimmer overlooks the pond. Photo by Katie Mast/ABQ BioPark
Opening for the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden’s new dragonfly sanctuary pond featuring aquatic habitat perfect for attracting and breeding dragonflies and damselflies is set for Friday at 10 a.m.
ABQ BioPark said in a news release that plants for perching grow around the pond, allowing visitors to view and identify several species of dragonflies at once. A stream bubbles into the exhibit from a rocky desert landscape, and a deck overlooks the scene.
The exhibit also includes a glass mosaic by artist Laura Robbins that depicts summer insects, according to the news release. The mosaic on the north wall of the courtyard recognizes NM BioPark Society donors.
The news release described the pond as the first dragonfly sanctuary pond in the United States. It said the pond is the first public part of the BioPark’s BUGarium, “a multi-faceted exhibit that will give visitors a fly’s eye view into the world of insects.” The Anthropod Rearing Laboratory has been operating behind the scenes since April of 2009, according to the news release.
In addition to Friday’s opening, the pond will be featured during Saturday’s Dragonfly Discovery Day at the Botanic Garden. The event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will give visitors an opportunity to view dozens of dragonflies and damselflies, as well as learn more about the insects through displays and hands-on discovery stations, the news release said.
Friday’s exhibit opening and Saturday’s Dragonfly Discover Day are included with regular admission. For more information about the BioPark, go to www.cabq.gov/biopark or call 311 locally or 505-768-2000.
