Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

4 FRI - Rim Country COA

The Rim Country Project is a part of the larger Four Forest Restoration Initiative or 4FRI. The 4FRI is a planning effort designed to restore forest resilience and function across four national forests in Arizona including the Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Kaibab, and Tonto national forests. The 4FRI is a result of many years of planning and collaboration among interested parties, groups and organizations, federal, state and local government agencies. The focus has been to restore forest landscapes and reduce the potential for uncharacteristic wildfire effects in a manner that also benefits the local economy. The purpose is to restore and maintain the structure, pattern, health, function, and diversity in forests and grasslands across the landscape using a variety of design features and planning tools such as the mechanical and aquatic toolboxes. These tools allow for the flexibility within on the ground projects to modify as needed according to the guidance and criteria provided through them.

Conservation Goals

  • Improve and/restore native vegetation and soil recovery in fire affected areas.
  • Improve the condition, function and habitat of the streams, springs and other hydrological resources.
  • Increase forest and grassland resilience and sustainability.
  • Reduce hazards associated with undesirable fire effects.

Map

Primary Threats

1. Agriculture

1.3: Livestock farming and ranching

5. Disease, Pathogens, and Parasites

5: Disease, Pathogens, and Parasites

7. Human Intrusions and Disturbance

7.1: Recreational activities

8. Invasive and Other Problematic Species

8.1: Invasive non-native species

9. Natural System Modifications

9.1: Fire and fire suppression

11. Transportation and Service Corridors

11.1: Roads and railroads

Potential Conservation Actions

1. Land and Water Protection

1.1: Site/area protection
  • Conserve a variety of habitats that support healthy populations of fish and wildlife as climate changes.
  • Improve wildlife water availability across the landscape.

2. Land and Water Management

2.1: Site/area management
  • Conduct habitat and natural process restoration within previously burned portions of 4FRI, pine and other hardwood thinning throughout for fire management.
2.2: Invasive/problematic species control
  • Improve exclusion fencing to protect sensitive riparian habitats from livestock.
  • Monitor and implement conservation strategies as it relates to the prevention and spread of chytrid fungus.
2.3: Habitat and natural process restoration
  • Implement efforts to control invasive species, such as mistletoe, bark beetle, tamarisk, juniper, and non-native forbs.
  • Implement riparian and aquatic restoration.

4. Education and Awareness

4.3: Awareness and communication
  • Increase outreach describing the 4FRI initiative with the public to improve awareness and support.

6. Livelihood, Economic and Other Incentives

6.1: Linked enterprises and livelihood alternatives (i.e. ecotourism)
  • Work with forestry programs to increase labor force, reduce resource waste, and better coordinate conservation efforts.
6.4: Conservation payments and programs
  • Conduct timber sales for conservation and reducing fuel loads.

7. External Capacity Building

7.2: Alliance and partnership development
  • Strengthen partnerships and share all relevant data to ensure goals are met across the entire 4FRI footprint.
7.3: Conservation finance (i.e. raising funds)
  • Apply for fuel mitigation grants through the US Forest Service and Arizona Division of Fire and Forestry Management.

Habitats Present

Strategy Species

Amphibians

Arizona Toad, Arizona Treefrog, Chiricahua Leopard Frog, Lowland Leopard Frog, Northern Leopard Frog, Arizona Tiger Salamander, Arizona Treefrog

Birds

American Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, Band-tailed Pigeon, Chipping Sparrow, Common Black Hawk, Flammulated Owl, Golden Eagle, Long-eared Owl, Mexican Spotted Owl, American Goshawk (Northern Goshawk), Rock Wren, Steller's Jay, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Western Screech-Owl, Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Invertebrates

Sierra Ancha Talussnail, Diablo Mountainsnail, Ancha Mountainsnail, Milk Ranch Talussnail

Mammals

Allen's Lappet-browed Bat, Cave Myotis, Fringed Myotis, Pale Townsend's Big-eared Bat, Southwestern Myotis, Stephen's Woodrat, Yuma Myotis

Reptiles

Arizona Black Rattlesnake, Black-necked Gartersnake, Gila Monster, Narrow-headed Gartersnake, Terrestrial Gartersnake

Fish

See Associated Aquatic COAs for fish species.

Protected Areas and Other Areas of Conservation Value

  • Tonto Creek Hatchery

Potential Partners

  • Northern Arizona University
  • US Forest Service
  • Arizona Department of Fire and Forestry Management
  • Arizona Elk Society
  • Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
  • Trout Unlimited
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service
  • AZ Department of Environmental Quality
  • Arizona Mule Deer Organization
  • Mule Deer Foundation
  • National Wild Turkey Federation
  • Mogollon Sporting Association
  • National Forest Foundation

Relevant Conservation Plans

Associated Aquatic COAs