Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

Colorado River Nature Center Wildlife Area COA

The Colorado River Nature Center (CRNC) is a 500-acre facility located within the city limits of Bullhead City, AZ. This property is part of a Cooperative Management Agreement between the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), Bullhead City (City), and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The CRNC is intended to provide a natural environment for low-impact recreation uses. The CRNC include recreational amenities such as beach access to the Colorado River, a trail system, interpretive signage, shade ramadas, benches, viewing decks, and boardwalks for the public’s enjoyment.

Conservation Goals

  • Balance environmental stewardship with responsible outdoor recreation.
  • Restore and protect the historic backwater habitat threatened by development and river system changes along the Colorado River.
  • Manage Wildlife Area habitats for a broad diversity of self-sustaining game and nongame species, and for recreational activities including wildlife viewing and hiking

Map

Primary Threats

3. Climate Change and Severe Weather

3.1: Habitat shifting and alteration
3.2: Droughts

4. Residential and Commercial Development

4.3: Tourism and recreation areas

8. Invasive and Other Problematic Species

8.1: Invasive non-native species
8.2: Problematic native species

9. Natural System Modifications

9.2: Dams and water management

Potential Conservation Actions

2. Land and Water Management

2.1: Site/area management
  • Restore and maintain diverse habitats to support broad species assemblages that account for range shifts.
2.2: Invasive/problematic species control
  • Restore areas affected by cheatgrass and other invasive rangeland plant species, such as salt cedar in riparian areas.
2.3: Habitat and natural process restoration
  • Restore sensitive habitats that have been degraded by OHV use and other human disturbance.

3. Species Management

3.1: Management of specific species of concern
  • Managing specific plant and animal populations of concern.
3.2: Species recovery
  • Enhance or restore native plant and animal populations.

4. Education and Awareness

4.3: Awareness and communication
  • Increase awareness efforts to educate the public about irresponsible OHV use and other recreational activities.

5. Law and Policy

5.4: Compliance and enforcement
  • Increase patrols and improve enforcement of regulations to reduce negative impacts of irresponsible OHV use and other recreational activities.

7. External Capacity Building

7.2: Alliance and partnership development
  • Collaborate with wildlife watchers and non-consumptive users to promote responsible use of public lands.

Habitats Present

Strategy Species

Birds

American Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle, LeConte's Thrasher, Ridgway's Rail, Western Burrowing Owl

Invertebrates

Monarch

Mammals

American Beaver, Arizona Myotis, California Leaf-nosed Bat, Cave Myotis, Greater Western Mastiff Bat, Pale Townsend's Big-eared Bat, Spotted Bat, Western Red Bat, Western Yellow Bat, Yuma Myotis, Southwestern River Otter

Reptiles

Sonoran Desert Tortoise

Fish

See Associated Aquatic COAs for fish species.

Protected Areas and Other Areas of Conservation Value

  • No associated Protected Areas

Potential Partners

  • Bureau of Land Management
  • Fort Mohave Indian Tribe
  • Bullhead City
  • AZ State Parks and Trails
  • Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program
  • US Bureau of Reclamation
  • US Army Corps of Engineers

Relevant Conservation Plans

Associated Aquatic COAs