King Valley | Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

The King Valley originates on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and separates the Kofa Mountains on the north and east side and Castle Dome Mountains on the west. The Hidden Valley Hills mark the northern extent of the Valley. This broad, flat valley has a northwest-southeast orientation and drains to a braided system of washes which run through the center of the valley. This system forms a central valley through the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and drains the eastern side of the Castle Domes and western side of the Kofa and Palomas Mountains before reaching the floodplain of the Gila River.

King Valley is a main access point and destination for visitors to the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge as well as a primary location for the reintroduction of endangered Sonoran pronghorn within their historical habitat. Primary land jurisdiction within the valley is divided between USFWS’s Kofa NWR and US Army’s Yuma Proving Ground, but smaller parcels at the south end of the valley are split between the BLM’s Yuma Field Office, Arizona State Land Department, and private ownership. With the recent increase in interest for the development of utility-scale solar energy production facilities, the southern end of King Valley and other areas of low slope creosote-bursage habitat have seen a corresponding increase in interest.

Conservation Goals

Support and implement projects which will further the recovery and downlisting of Sonoran pronghorn.
Support and implement restoration and enhancement of habitat types natural to King Valley such as mesquite bosques.

Map

Primary Threats

3. Climate Change and Severe Weather

3.1: Habitat shifting and alteration

3.2: Droughts

3.3: Temperature extremes

6. Energy Production and Mining

6.3: Renewable energy

7. Human Intrusions and Disturbance

7.1: Recreational activities

7.3: Work and other activities

Potential Conservation Actions

2. Land and Water Management

2.3: Habitat and natural process restoration

Restore native vegetation and habitats such as mesquite bosques at appropriate locations using adaptive management techniques to improve success.

3. Species Management

3.3: Species reintroduction

Continue to support Sonoran pronghorn reintroduction and recovery through capture-and-release operations and habitat improvement projects across their range.

4. Education and Awareness

4.2: Training

Conduct research to better understand impacts of utility-scale solar energy production facilities on wildlife populations and movement in order to better inform site selection, avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures for projects.

4.3: Awareness and communication

Increase awareness of effects of specific threats on wildlife species and habitats with an emphasis on how the threats can be reduced.

7. External Capacity Building

7.2: Alliance and partnership development

Build partnerships with energy developers to reduce impacts to wildlife and their habitats while striving to reach goals of renewable energy initiatives