This COA consists of an important network of lentic, lotic, and wetland habitats that occur within two adjacent National Wildlife Refuges along the Lower Colorado River, the Cibola NWR and the Imperial NWR. This COA is part of Audubon’s Important Bird Areas (IBA) program for its abundance of important breeding habitats for birds, in particular the Ridgway’s rail and California black rail. This COA also offers important wintering habitat for species like sandhill crane, Ross’ goose, and a suite of other waterfowl. Invasive salt cedar and phragmites are encroaching on native habitats and impairing the quality of these areas for birds and other wildlife. Recent years have seen efforts to restore native trees like cottonwoods and willows.
Conservation Goals
- Remove invasive vegetative species that are having adverse effects on quality wetland and riparian habitats.
- Improve natural function of wetlands to improve water quality for aquatic habitats.
Map
Primary Threats
3. Climate Change and Severe Weather
8. Invasive and Other Problematic Species
10. Pollution
Potential Conservation Actions
2. Land and Water Management
- Remove invasive salt cedar and restore native plant species such as cottonwoods and willows.
- Determine the distribution of banded watersnakes and develop a plan to reduce their numbers or eradicate them.
- Enhance wetland habitats to restore natural function that helps reduce water pollution.
Habitats Present
Strategy Species
Birds
American Kestrel, Black-necked Stilt, Bullock's Oriole, Common Gallinule, Costa's Hummingbird, Gilded Flicker, Hooded Oriole, Inca Dove, Loggerhead Shrike, Ridgway's Rail, Sora, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Verdin, Virginia Rail, Western Burrowing Owl, Western Meadowlark, Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Mammals
California Leaf-nosed Bat, Cave Myotis, Colorado River Cotton Rat, Desert Pocket Mouse, Hoary Bat, Mexican Free-tailed Bat, Western Red Bat, Western Yellow Bat, Yuma Hispid Cotton Rat, Yuma Myotis
Reptiles
Sonoran Collared Lizard, Mexican Gartersnake
Fish
See Associated Aquatic COAs for fish species.
Protected Areas and Other Areas of Conservation Value
- Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
- Imperial National Wildlife Refuge
- Cibola Valley Conservation and Wildlife Area
Potential Partners
- US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Ducks Unlimited
- US Bureau of Reclamation
- Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Central Arizona Project
Relevant Conservation Plans
- Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program
- Yuma Clapper Rail Recovery Plan