Most of this COA consists of the Peloncillo Mountains Wilderness and is under management of BLM-Safford Field Office. The landform is comprised of low mountains, cliffs, and numerous canyons, with gentle hills covered in desert grasses and shrubs. The wilderness, with its rugged mountains and canyons, offers outstanding opportunities for primitive recreation, including hiking, backpacking, rock scrambling, hunting and sightseeing. Desert bighorn sheep inhabit the Peloncillo Mountains as well as Gila monsters, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, and pincushion cacti. This is the northernmost portion of an important sky island mountain range that runs north-south, connecting parts of southern Arizona and New Mexico with Mexico to the south.
Conservation Goals
- Maintain integrity of wilderness areas by improving management of recreation and grazing areas.
- Reduce barriers to wildlife movements and increase connectivity to surrounding sky island habitats.
Map
Primary Threats
1. Agriculture
7. Human Intrusions and Disturbance
11. Transportation and Service Corridors
Potential Conservation Actions
1. Land and Water Protection
- Develop conservation easements on public or private lands in order to maintain and protect wildlife corridors.
2. Land and Water Management
- Improve livestock management within and surrounding the wilderness area.
- Improve habitat connectivity by installing wildlife structures across I-10; also improve connectivity between this COA and adjacent habitat blocks.
5. Law and Policy
- Ensure compliance with laws and regulations within the wilderness to ensure responsible recreation.
Habitats Present
Strategy Species
Birds
American Peregrine Falcon, Golden Eagle
Invertebrates
Mammals
Reptiles
Fish
See Associated Aquatic COAs for fish species.
Protected Areas and Other Areas of Conservation Value
- Peloncillo Mountains Wilderness
Potential Partners
- Bureau of Land Management
- New Mexico Game and Fish Department
Relevant Conservation Plans
Associated Aquatic COAs
- No associated Aquatic COAs