San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge | Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

This 2,300-acre wildlife refuge lies along the international border with Mexico. In recent years, groundwater pumping related to border activities has depleted wetlands such as the Arivaca Ciénega and other aquatic resources that are critical habitats for resident and migratory wildlife. Comprised mostly of Chiricahua desertscrub, the refuge is home to several tier 1 SGCN species including San Bernardino springsnail and Chiricahua leopard frog. Continued activities along the U.S.-Mexico border have the potential to severely restrict wildlife movements through the area.

Conservation Goals

Improve groundwater management to protect wetlands and other aquatic systems for wildlife.
Improve the protection and management of areas surrounding this small NWR to improve core habitats for vulnerable SGCN that occur here.
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.
Foster binational cooperation with individuals, organizations, and agencies to strengthen endangered species management and habitat connectivity.

Map

Primary Threats

3. Climate Change and Severe Weather

3.1: Habitat shifting and alteration

3.2: Droughts

7. Human Intrusions and Disturbance

7.3: Work and other activities

8. Invasive and Other Problematic Species

8.1: Invasive non-native species

9. Natural System Modifications

9.2: Dams and water management

Potential Conservation Actions

2. Land and Water Management

2.1: Site/area management

Conserve or improve areas identified as stopover habitats for migratory birds.
Design lighting and other security infrastructure along the borderlands that minimize disturbance to wildlife, but meet the needs of the Department of Homeland Security.

2.3: Habitat and natural process restoration

Reduce depletion of groundwater levels to improve aquatic resources. Improve habitats to retain existing water.
Increase connectivity by removing barriers and impediments to species movement. Modify pasture and boundary fences to meet wildlife-friendly criteria to allow safe wildlife movement or provide wildlife crossing structures to minimize wildlife/vehicle collisions.

3. Species Management

3.1: Management of specific species of concern

Implement conservation actions or construct refugia to protect aquatic SGCN under threat from groundwater depletion.
Actively remove invasive aquatic species such as American bullfrog.

1. Land and Water Protection

1.2: Resource and habitat protection

Develop conservation easements on public or private lands in order to protect and expand wildlife corridors and buffer quality wildlife habitat.

1.2: Resource and habitat protection

Acquire land or develop conservation easements on public or private lands in order to maintain and protect wildlife corridors and buffer quality wildlife habitat and expand area of the NWR.

7. External Capacity Building

7.2: Alliance and partnership development

Work with federal and state agencies to address the critical need for wildlife movement across the international border with Mexico, and help design any necessary border barriers to improve wildlife movement.
Work with Department of Homeland Security agencies to identify sensitive habitats, incorporate wildlife values, and mitigation actions for borderland management activities.