Gallery

Earlier this month, the Southwest Basin Roundtable and the Colorado Water Conservation Board awarded grants to fund the restoration of 100 acres of the Sambrito Wetlands Complex near Navajo Lake. Photo Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Tom Brossia, left, former state chairman for Ducks Unlimited; Ethan Scott, center, a land and recreation manager for the Bureau of Reclamation; and Catherine Ortega, a wildlife biologist and ornithologist, tour the Sambrito Wetlands Complex and discuss future plans for the area south of Allison near Navajo Lake. Photo Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

The Southwest Basin Roundtable and the Colorado Water Conservation Board contributed a combined $220,000 to fund the restoration of 100 acres of the Sambrito Wetlands Complex near Navajo Lake. Photo Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Numerous species of birds use the Sambrito Wetlands Complex for nesting habitat or as a stopover during migration. Photo Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Parts of the Sambrito Wetlands Complex are set aside as habitat for the New Mexico jumping mouse. Sambrito is considered critical habitat for the mouse, and plans to alter the landscape must not adversely affect the species. Photo Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Grants will allow for the restoration of the Sambrito Wetlands Complex south of the town of Allison near Navajo Lake. The wetlands are crucial habitat for wildlife. Photo Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Numerous species of birds use the Sambrito Wetlands Complex for nesting habitat or as a stopover during migration. Photo Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Numerous species of birds use the Sambrito Wetlands Complex for nesting habitat or as a stopover during migration. Photo Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Parts of the Sambrito Wetlands Complex are set aside as habitat for the New Mexico jumping mouse. Sambrito is considered critical habitat for the mouse, and plans to alter the landscape must not adversely affect the species. Photo Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

The Sambrito Wetlands Complex, south of Allison and near Navajo Lake, offers all kinds of birds to view. Photo Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Cattails on a small portion of the Sambrito Wetlands Complex burned. Photo Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Spring runoff and return irrigation water helps to fill the Sambrito Wetlands Complex located south of Allison. Photo Jerry McBride/Durango Herald