July 23, 2013: South Valley resident Dianne Fierro was the first to find all eight BernCo Bernies! She wrote to us to explain how she went about the process:

“I actually live in Pajarito in the South Valley and frequently use Pajarito, Hubbell House, and Durand Open Spaces for exercise. I first ran into Bernie at an Open Space property last week quite by accident and was intrigued with the project, going on line to get more information. Previously I didn't know what the eight sheep on the County symbol stood for! 

I think it's wonderful that the County-and the City of Albuquerque-have invested resources in keeping so many agricultural lands open as well as more traditional mountain or historical sites. I've lived in the South Valley for more than 25 years, and we've watched the agricultural lands slowly morphing into residential and commercial use. Keeping some of the South Valley lands agricultural is very important to me and my neighbors as we've chosen to live in a more open landscape. I want my grandchildren and the children in my neighborhood to know what natural spaces are like.

Although I've already visited many of the County Open Space lands, I've discovered that many of my Albuquerque friends have no idea that they exist, including members of a senior hiking group I've spent time with that I took to visit some of the sites. I hope the new Valle de Oro Urban Wildlife Refuge will also be well used by the County Open Space program over the next few years!”