Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

McDowell-Superstitions-Mazatzal Mountains Linkage COA

The McDowell, Superstition, and Mazatzal mountains are large ranges encompassing lower Sonoran desert habitats in lower elevations, up to Petran montane coniferous habitats at high elevations. These mountain ranges are variously managed by Tonto National Forest, Maricopa County Parks, and McDowell Mountain Preserve and includes several designated wilderness areas. While development within those ranges is minimal, there is extensive private development around the periphery due to the ranges’ proximity to the Phoenix metro area, which is increasing isolation of species and habitats especially adjacent to the urban environment. Multiple SGCN are present throughout those ranges and continued conservation actions could allow for future species management opportunities. Maintaining the protected/undeveloped status of these ranges and improving buffers to core habitats is a high priority to ensure wildlife connectivity and wildlife values in-perpetuity. Portions of this COA are divided by the Fort McDowell Indian Reservation.

Conservation Goals

  • Maintain and augment important habitat connectivity between the Tonto National Forest and McDowell Mountain Regional Park, and McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
  • Maintain healthy wildlife populations through monitoring, relevant conservation actions, and habitat improvements.
  • Reduce invasive species encroachment, particularly invasive grasses and forbs, such as buffelgrass and ice plant.

Map

Primary Threats

1. Agriculture

1.3: Livestock farming and ranching

2. Biological Resource Use

2.1: Unlawful take of terrestrial animals
2.2: Unlawful take of terrestrial plants

3. Climate Change and Severe Weather

3.1: Habitat shifting and alteration
3.2: Droughts
3.3: Temperature extremes
3.4: Storms and flooding

4. Residential and Commercial Development

4.1: Housing and urban areas
4.3: Tourism and recreation areas

6. Energy Production and Mining

6.2: Mining and quarrying

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
9.2: Dams and water management
9.3: Other ecosystem modifications

10. Pollution

10.5: Air-borne pollutants

11. Transportation and Service Corridors

11.1: Roads and railroads

Potential Conservation Actions

1. Land and Water Protection

1.1: Site/area protection
  • Develop conservation easements or other land acquisitions on public or private lands in order to maintain and protect wildlife corridors and buffer quality wildlife habitat.

2. Land and Water Management

2.1: Site/area management
  • Assess water distribution and augment where possible.
2.2: Invasive/problematic species control
  • Reduce common invasive forbs and grasses that thrive in the Sonoran Desert, such as buffelgrass and red brome.
2.3: Habitat and natural process restoration
  • Maintain connectivity between the Preserve, the McDowell Regional Park, and the Tonto National Forest to enhance wildlife movement corridors where safe and feasible.

3. Species Management

3.1: Management of specific species of concern
  • Implement long-term monitoring protocols for vulnerable species and habitats to inform adaptive management.
3.2: Species recovery
  • Create species-specific projects, such as mule deer, javelina, and bighorn sheep tagging efforts that will support management goals and native habitat that will also benefit SGCN.

4. Education and Awareness

4.3: Awareness and communication
  • Leverage the adjacent urban metro population to increase awareness of habitat and wildlife issues to effect change.

6. Livelihood, Economic and Other Incentives

6.1: Linked enterprises and livelihood alternatives (i.e. ecotourism)
  • Tie in with existing ecotourism efforts i.e. Wilderness Areas, Arizona Trail, and Arizona Birding Trail.

7. External Capacity Building

7.2: Alliance and partnership development
  • Facilitate existing partnerships and networks of organizations including: McDowell Sonoran Conservancy and Tonto Recreation Alliance.

Habitats Present

Strategy Species

Amphibians

Sonoran Desert Toad, Lowland Leopard Frog

Birds

Abert's Towhee, American Kestrel, American Peregrine Falcon, Bendire's Thrasher, Black-throated Sparrow, Bullock's Oriole, Cactus Wren, Canyon Towhee, Costa's Hummingbird, Elf Owl, Gilded Flicker, Golden Eagle, Harris's Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Scott's Oriole, Western Screech-Owl

Mammals

Bailey's Pocket Mouse, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Desert Pocket Mouse

Reptiles

Gila Monster, Regal Horned Lizard, Sonoran Coralsnake, Sonoran Desert Tortoise, Tiger Rattlesnake, Variable Sandsnake, Bezy’s Night Lizard

Fish

See Associated Aquatic COAs for fish species.

Protected Areas and Other Areas of Conservation Value

  • Four Peaks Wilderness
  • McDowell Sonoran Preserve
  • McDowell Mountain Regional Park
  • Superstition Wilderness
  • Mazatzal Wilderness

Potential Partners

  • Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
  • US Forest Service
  • Maricopa County
  • Pinal County Open Space and Trails
  • Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
  • City of Scottsdale
  • McDowell Sonoran Conservancy

Relevant Conservation Plans

Associated Aquatic COAs