Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

Goodwin and Contreras Mesas COA

This COA consists of the Goodwin, Contreras, Bozarth, and Behm mesas. This area contains important grassland habitat for several plant and wildlife species, including Swainson’s hawk, lowland leopard frog, and Aquarius milkvetch. Goodwin Mesa is home to a population of American pronghorn and is also partially encompassed by the Upper Burro Creek Wilderness Area. Threats to this COA include drought, loss of forage, and lack of perennial water. Habitat connectivity is another concern within this COA. Restricting connectivity means a loss of genetic diversity for populations of American pronghorn that utilize this COA.

Conservation Goals

  • Establish and maintain perennial waters for wildlife.
  • Remove invasive plant species in order to restore and maintain the native grassland habitats for wildlife species.
  • Restore and protect habitats to maintain a broad diversity of self-sustaining game and nongame species, and for recreational activities including wildlife viewing and hiking.
  • Improve connectivity by removing barriers to wildlife movement and improve habitat connectivity, thermal cover.

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

7. Human Intrusions and Disturbance

7.1: Recreational activities
7.3: Work and other activities

8. Invasive and Other Problematic Species

8.1: Invasive non-native species

9. Natural System Modifications

9.1: Fire and fire suppression
9.3: Other ecosystem modifications

Potential Conservation Actions

2. Land and Water Management

2.2: Invasive/problematic species control
  • Control the spread of invasive and problematic species, particularly rangeland plant species and wild burros.
2.3: Habitat and natural process restoration
  • Implement projects focused on improving the quality of altered systems creating suitable habitat and/or habitat features for wildlife.
  • Increase connectivity by removing barriers and impediments to species movement.

3. Species Management

3.1: Management of specific species of concern
  • Conduct research that include surveying and monitoring species and habitats to determine status and conditions so that resources can be appropriately allocated where they are most needed.
  • Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of management actions, adapting the approach as necessary.
3.2: Species recovery
  • Augment populations of wildlife species within historic ranges.

6. Livelihood, Economic and Other Incentives

6.4: Conservation payments and programs
  • Actively seek opportunities to partner with Arizona agricultural producers and private landowners on a variety of habitat enhancements that benefit both livestock and wildlife.

7. External Capacity Building

7.2: Alliance and partnership development
  • Continue fostering partnerships with agricultural producers, wildlife conservation organizations, and private landowners.

Habitats Present

Strategy Species

Amphibians

Arizona Toad, Lowland Leopard Frog, Sonoran Desert Toad

Birds

American Peregrine Falcon, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Costa's Hummingbird, Golden Eagle, Juniper Titmouse, Pinyon Jay

Mammals

American Pronghorn, Arizona Myotis, California Leaf-nosed Bat, Cave Myotis, Greater Western Mastiff Bat, Gunnison's Prairie Dog, Mexican Free-tailed Bat, Mexican Vole, Pale Townsend's Big-eared Bat, Pocketed Free-tailed Bat, Spotted Bat, Stephen's Woodrat, Western Yellow Bat, Yuma Myotis

Reptiles

Arizona Black Rattlesnake, Gila Monster, Gila Spotted Whiptail, Regal Horned Lizard, Sonoran Coralsnake, Sonoran Desert Tortoise, Sonora Mud Turtle, Sonoran Whipsnake, Black-necked Gartersnake

Fish

See Associated Aquatic COAs for fish species.

Protected Areas and Other Areas of Conservation Value

  • Upper Burro Creek Wilderness Area

Potential Partners

  • Bureau of Land Management
  • Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service
  • Big Sandy National Resource Conservation District
  • Private Landowners
  • Arizona Antelope Foundation
  • Audubon Southwest
  • Quail Forever/Pheasants Forever
  • The Wilderness Society
  • AZ State Land Department
  • Arizona Deer Association
  • Arizona Mule Deer Organization
  • Mule Deer Foundation

Relevant Conservation Plans

Associated Aquatic COAs