Mule Mountains | Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

The Mule Mountains are an important part of the sky islands region of southeast Arizona. Though not as high in elevation as adjacent ranges, such as the Chiracahuas or Huachuca mountains, the Mule Mountains offer rich habitat diversity with relatively in-tact parcels throughout the range.

Conservation Goals

Conserve and protect a Madrean sky island that supports many SGCN within a unique mosaic of habitat types.
Identify and conserve areas known as stopover and breeding habitats for migratory birds and support their full life-cycle conservation through international collaborations that address threats to their migration and wintering habitats in Mexico, Central America, and beyond.

Map

Primary Threats

3. Climate Change and Severe Weather

3.2: Droughts

7. Human Intrusions and Disturbance

7.1: Recreational activities

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

Conserve or improve areas for migratory birds identified as important habitats during any part of their annual life cycle (breeding, stopover or wintering).

2.3: Habitat and natural process restoration

Implement prescribed burns to restore natural systems, fight invasive species, and create ecosystem resiliency.
Restore woodland habitats with more climate adaptable species to improve landscape resilience over time.

2.2: Invasive/problematic species control

Control the spread of invasive and problematic species, including crayfish and bullfrog that affect native aquatic species.

3. Species Management

3.1: Management of specific species of concern

Improve management and restoration of agave species to provide resources and migration corridors for lesser long-nosed bat and other pollinator species.