A dream that started six years ago has taken its next step into reality with the completion of its first building phase. The Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area, the 97-acre wetlands north of Rio Communities, is holding the grand opening of its recently completed educational center this Saturday.

Whitfield project manager Ted Hodoba says the building will also serve as the area's visitors center until funding can be found for the second phase of the project.

"That isn't looking likely this year, but we will keep hoping," Hodoba said.

The project manager has reason to be hopeful. So far, the wetlands have benefited from an outpouring of support and donations — in both funds and materials from the community.

"Through the Friends of Whitfield, someone anonymously donated $1,000 for a conference table and chairs, and someone else donated $5,000 for educational materials," he said. "The support for this project has been incredible."

While the building will have to serve double duty for a while, Hodoba said its primary focus is education. To that end, this coming spring, the Randall Davey Audobon Center in Santa Fe is partnering with Whitfield to train 10 volunteers, who will interface with local schools and school children.

"They were actually looking for someone in New Mexico to work with. They are in the uplands, and we are down here in the riparian area," Hodoba said. "They have been very supportive in helping us out in everything from volunteer training to operational questions to staffing the building."

After the grand opening, starting Friday, Dec. 11, the educational building will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

"Of course the wetlands are always open — from dawn to dusk, even if the gates are closed and the educational center isn't staffed," Hodoba said. "Only hiking is allowed, no driving. And we ask that people don't bring their pets and not smoke, for obvious reasons. The trails are marked, and we have signs telling people where not to go.

"That's to protect the wildlife and the habitat."

In an effort to complement the local habitat and make as little impact as possible, the educational center was designed to be very energy efficient and green. Operable skylights allow for natural light to flood the space, calling for less artificial light. Along with the skylights are reflective "fins" on the roof.

"During the winter they are opened up and allow for more light and some solar gain through the skylights," Hodoba said. "In the summer, they can be angled to keep the full sun from entering."

Outside the building are two 500-gallon water harvesting tanks.

"They have filled up and overflowed two or three times so far," Hodoba said. "They are a great resource to have to water the landscaping around the buildings. It's 'soft' water, and everything around here is so alkaline."

Sitting in front of the glass entrance is Hodoba's workstation, where he spends most of his time answering e-mails and returning calls.

"My favorite part of this building is the view," he said. "I spend a lot of time with my binoculars identifying the birds that are coming in."

During the grand opening, in addition to the birds passing through Whitfield, Hodoba said there will be several exhibitors out for the day. The works of two wildlife photographers will be on display, as well as an exhibit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Quivira Coalition, New Mexico Audobon, Wildlife Rescue and many others.

"I can't say enough about the volunteers. We had two people volunteer their time and skills to create our Web site," Hodoba said. "We've had pots and pans, office supplies — everything. Any little bit helps, and we can use that money to buy another tree or shrub."