Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. Growing up, I always thought that you could only see wildlife at some type of animal park, like the zoo or perhaps only on tv. As I got older, I quickly learned that I
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Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. Growing up, I always thought that you could only see wildlife at some type of animal park, like the zoo or perhaps only on tv. As I got older, I quickly learned that I was wrong. I was born on the tiny island of Puerto Rico and we left when I was fairly young so I can’t recollect a lot about the wildlife there. We moved to the Bronx, New York after leaving the island. The only life in the wild that I remember being exposed to were the ones in the corner selling drugs, robbing convenience stores or hi-jacking vehicles at stop lights. However, I also remember a lot about the Bronx Zoo.
It was six minutes walking distance from my home and my favorite place to be. I recall moments begging my mother to take me there instead of school. I loved learning, but I hated school. I guess it should have been one of many first signs that I was an introvert. That and the fact that if I couldn’t be around nature, I’d prefer to be alone than with one other human being.
The Bronx Zoo taught me a lot about nature, but mostly about myself. It’s no wonder that to this day, I still find myself looking for the nearest animal park, nature preserve or sanctuary no matter where I am. It’s how I found the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City. At the refuge you can take an 11-mile drive and come across Bison, Deer, Birds of Prey (Hawks, Owls – and if you’re lucky, Bald Eagles), Waterfowl, Prairie Dogs, Black-Footed Ferrets and more. If you decide to park and get out of your vehicle, PLEASE remember that all of these animals are still wild and unpredictable. They are not by any means used to humans!
At times, it could be difficult to spot wildlife and that’s because they have free range of 15,00 acres of land and lakes. You can visit for free and during most of the year. Last time I was there was Summer of 2018. It was the year I returned from Europe. Life was challenging trying to start over again and I needed an escape. I was craving a connection with nature. I found it at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rocky_mountain_arsenal/ 6550 Gateway Road, Bldg. 121, Commerce City, CO 80022. 303.289.0579.
(Originally published in the February 20, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)
