Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

North Sulphur Springs Valley COA

Between the Galiuros and Pinaleño mountains, the Sulphur Springs Valley is typical of the Basin and Range topography as the valley is an expansive grassland and desertscrub habitats that separates small mountain ranges of the sky islands. The area is home to a wintering population of sandhill cranes which relies on the surrounding agricultural lands for forage. The historic Sierra Bonita Ranch offers significant habitat for grassland birds as well as American pronghorn. Like other grasslands in southern Arizona, encroachment from woody plants like mesquite have potential to convert native grasslands. The Valley also acts as an important travel corridor for wildlife, linking areas south of I-10 with remote mountain ranges to the north such as the Galiuros and Winchesters.

Conservation Goals

  • Remove invasive plant species in order to maintain the native grassland habitats for SGCN.
  • Improve habitat connectivity in this vital north-south corridor.

Map

Primary Threats

1. Agriculture

1.3: Livestock farming and ranching

3. Climate Change and Severe Weather

3.2: Droughts

4. Residential and Commercial Development

4.1: Housing and urban areas

8. Invasive and Other Problematic Species

8.1: Invasive non-native species
8.2: Problematic native species

9. Natural System Modifications

9.2: Dams and water management

Potential Conservation Actions

1. Land and Water Protection

1.2: Resource and habitat protection
  • Develop conservation easements on private lands in order to maintain and protect wildlife habitat and connectivity areas.

2. Land and Water Management

2.2: Invasive/problematic species control
  • Remove non-native, undesirable, and/or invasive wildlife and plant species that may be encroaching on unique grassland habitats. Monitor the success of removal efforts.
2.3: Habitat and natural process restoration
  • Remove barriers to improve landscape connectivity of this important north-south corridor.
  • Develop alternatives that would improve connectivity across I-10, a major landscape barrier in the area.
  • Improve water retention and reduce groundwater pumping to maintain quality grassland habitats.

3. Species Management

3.3: Species reintroduction
  • Research potential of reintroducing black-tailed prairie dogs to the area.

5. Law and Policy

5.4: Compliance and enforcement
  • Improve regulation of groundwater management.

6. Livelihood, Economic and Other Incentives

6.4: Conservation payments and programs
  • Engage private landowners to partake in various conservation programs on agricultural lands to improve habitats for wildlife.

7. External Capacity Building

7.2: Alliance and partnership development
  • Collaborate with partners to develop and implement management plans, conservation agreements, recovery actions, and research.

Habitats Present

Strategy Species

Amphibians

Chiricahua Leopard Frog, Couch's Spadefoot

Birds

Sandhill Crane, Scaled Quail, Swainson's Hawk, Northern Harrier, Horned Lark, American Kestrel

Mammals

American Pronghorn, Lesser Long-nosed Bat

Reptiles

Mexican Hog-nosed Snake, Ornate Box Turtle, Arizona Striped Whiptail

Fish

See Associated Aquatic COAs for fish species.

Protected Areas and Other Areas of Conservation Value

  • No associated Protected Areas

Potential Partners

  • Arizona Land and Water Trust
  • Sonoran Joint Venture
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • Private Landowners
  • Arizona Department of Transportation

Relevant Conservation Plans

Associated Aquatic COAs

  • No associated Aquatic COAs