Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

Garland Prairie COA

This COA comprises Kaibab National Forest and private lands and is bisected by Interstate 40. Habitats include subalpine grassland, montane conifer forest, wetlands. and lentic and lotic systems. The area supports a diversity of species including American pronghorn, Gunnison’s prairie dog, breeding bald eagle and osprey, golden eagle, colonial nesting waterbirds, waterfowl, wintering bald eagles and other raptors. The area includes historical northern leopard frog and black-footed ferret habitat. Livestock (sheep and cattle) grazing occurs across Forest Service lands in this COA. The invasive American bullfrog, sylvatic plague, and climate change are important threats to the area.

Conservation Goals

  • Determine feasibility of bullfrog control in the southern portion of COA to support reintroduction of northern leopard frogs.
  • Assess health and performance of Gunnison’s prairie dog colonies to determine feasibility of establishing a black-footed ferret population.
  • Implement plan to improve landscape permeability for American pronghorn and other big game species by constructing highway (I-40) overpass.
  • Manage area for recreational activities including hunting and wildlife viewing.

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
3.3: Temperature extremes

5. Disease, Pathogens, and Parasites

5: Disease, Pathogens, and Parasites

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
  • Manage livestock grazing to prevent overgrazing and associated impacts.
2.2: Invasive/problematic species control
  • Determine feasibility of controlling bullfrogs in area; if deemed feasible, develop and implement plan to reduce or eliminate bullfrogs in area.
2.3: Habitat and natural process restoration
  • Restore pre-settlement forest structure and disturbance processes through thinning and managed fire to avoid catastrophic wildfires.

3. Species Management

3.1: Management of specific species of concern
  • Monitor bald eagle productivity to maintain healthy populations in the area.
  • Implement construction of highway overpass to increase landscape permeability for American pronghorn and other wildlife.
3.2: Species recovery
  • Continue to monitor Gunnison’s prairie dog population health and performance.
  • Continue to participate in sylvatic plague vaccine research.
3.3: Species reintroduction
  • Reintroduce northern leopard frog and black-footed ferret to the area if deemed feasible.

Habitats Present

Strategy Species

Amphibians

Arizona Tiger Salamander

Birds

American Kestrel, Bald Eagle, Common Nighthawk, Double-crested Cormorant, Golden Eagle, Osprey, Horned Lark, Mountain Bluebird, Vesper Sparrow, Western Meadowlark

Mammals

American Pronghorn, Black-footed Ferret, Gunnison's Prairie Dog

Fish

See Associated Aquatic COAs for fish species.

Protected Areas and Other Areas of Conservation Value

  • No associated Protected Areas

Potential Partners

  • US Forest Service
  • Private Landowners

Relevant Conservation Plans

Associated Aquatic COAs

  • No associated Aquatic COAs