Anderson Mesa | Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

Located just south of Flagstaff, this COA hosts a complex of lakes and wetlands that provide quality habitats for a variety of SGCN. Included in this COA are Marshall, Mormon, Ashurst, and Kinnikick lakes. Other habitats in this COA include grasslands and woodlands. This is a globally recognized Important Bird Area (IBA), primarily for its presence of pinyon jay and the pinyon-juniper habitats found here. This area also provides one of the only wetland complexes in this part of the state and acts as significant stopover habitats for migratory birds. Like other aquatic and wetland habitats in Arizona, a warmer and drier climate is leading to ecosystem changes and increased fire risk.

Conservation Goals

Maintain the health and functionality of a major wetland complex that provides habitat for a variety of SGCN.
Improve management of livestock and grazing ungulates to reduce adverse impacts to sensitive wetland habitats.

Map

Primary Threats

1. Agriculture

1.3: Livestock farming and ranching

3. Climate Change and Severe Weather

3.1: Habitat shifting and alteration

3.2: Droughts

8. Invasive and Other Problematic Species

8.1: Invasive non-native species

9. Natural System Modifications

9.1: Fire and fire suppression

Potential Conservation Actions

2. Land and Water Management

2.1: Site/area management

Conserve or improve wetland areas for migratory birds identified as important habitats during any part of their annual life cycle (breeding, stopover or wintering).
Improve fencing to better protect delicate wetland habitats that are affected by livestock.
Encourage prescribed and managed fire through partnership with USFS.

2.2: Invasive/problematic species control

Restore grassland habitats and remove encroaching woody plants.

2.3: Habitat and natural process restoration

Maintain and restore wetland function to ensure the permanence of quality wetland habitats.
Remove fencing to improve habitat permeability for American pronghorn.