The Coal Mine Springs COA is composed of the Coal Mine Wildlife Area, with a primary purpose to provide for recovery of species listed under the Endangered Species Act, and to manage sensitive habitat for all wildlife species that occur in the area. The Coal Mine Wildlife Area was established to protect the property’s resources from adjacent residential development. The property’s springs, principally Coal Mine and George Wise springs, are important habitats for the endangered Gila topminnow.
Conservation Goals
- Maintain and improve protections and management of sensitive wetland and lentic habitats.
- Monitor and maintain fencing to exclude livestock and protect grassland habitats.
- Improve site management to continue opportunities for non-motorized recreation.
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
Potential Conservation Actions
2. Land and Water Management
2.1:
Site/area management
- Establish site area manager to monitor and mitigate impacts from human impacts.
- Restore, repair, and reestablish fencing around entire perimeter of COA.
2.2:
Invasive/problematic species control
- Manage unauthorized livestock, including removal and managed at appropriate levels to minimize ecological impacts where allowed.
- Maintain cattle exclusion fencing around sensitive wetlands and springs.
- Manage spring habitats for American bullfrog control.
2.3:
Habitat and natural process restoration
- Improve, restore, or maintain high quality aquatic habitat to support SCGN aquatic species. Develop and maintain refuge habitats.
- Reintroduce prescribed fire at historic fire return intervals to maintain native habitats.
3. Species Management
3.2:
Species recovery
- Rescue (salvage) native aquatic wildlife at risk from imminent threats, and return salvaged wildlife when conditions are appropriate.
7. External Capacity Building
7.2:
Alliance and partnership development
- Coordinate property management with the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area (Arizona State Parks).
- Cultivate partnerships with local conservation organizations, including Tucson Audubon, TNC, Borderlands Restoration Network, and adjacent private landowners.
Habitats Present
Strategy Species
Amphibians
Canyon Treefrog, Lowland Leopard Frog
Birds
Invertebrates
Mammals
Lesser Long-nosed Bat, Mexican Long-tongued Bat
Reptiles
Black-necked Gartersnake, Green Ratsnake, Sonora Mud Turtle
Fish
See Associated Aquatic COAs for fish species.
Protected Areas and Other Areas of Conservation Value
- Coal Mine Spring Wildlife Area
- Sonoita Creek State Wildlife Area
- Patagonia Lake State Park
Potential Partners
- Arizona State Land Department
- Borderlands Restoration Network
- Tucson Audubon Society
- Private Landowners
- The Nature Conservancy
- Department of Fire and Forestry Management