Upon entering the visitor center, guests can engage with content in two ways. If they’d like to speak with a person, the welcome desk offers that opportunity. If a visitor prefers to gather information independently, an interactive touch screen exhibit, or Digital Docent, allows the visitor to explore logistical information about the refuge on their own, at their own pace. Utilizing the Digital Docent, a visitor can find opening/closing times, learn about upcoming programming and special events, review recent wildlife sightings, review a map, and become familiar with some of the staff, volunteers, and partners who operate the refuge.

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Moving beyond the welcome desk and into the main exhibit space, visitors have several options of exhibits to interact with. A large wall to the left displays an exhibit called Life Zones of the Rio Grande. Utilizing artistic but species-accurate wildlife illustrations, this colorful mural incorporates flippers, audio, and vitrine displays. A visitor can view a variety of wildlife species associated with each life zone, listen to the sounds of the landscape, and engage with physical flippers which offer smells, small displays, and touchable items.