The Jemez Mountains COA (Figure 27) spans approximately 108,486 ha (268,072 ac) and is located west of Los Alamos and about 50 km (~31 mi) west of Santa Fe. It encompasses portions of the Jemez Mountains, including the headwaters of the Jemez River, and extends downstream to the Pueblo of Jemez.

Land ownership within this COA is diverse, with the USFS managing the majority (55%). The NPS manages 24.5% of the land, while the US Department of Energy and Tribal entities each manage 7%. Private ownership accounts for 6.5% and state-managed lands, including NMSP and the Department, make up less than 0.5% of the area. This COA also includes two Important Bird Areas: Bandelier National Monument and Valles Caldera/Jemez Mountains. Approximately 29% of the COA is currently protected.

The COA supports 18 native vegetation habitats, two ruderal or introduced vegetation types, and agricultural vegetation, barren areas, developed and urban spaces, and open water. The dominant habitats are Rocky Mountain Lower Montane Forest (50%), Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Meadow and Grassland (11%), and Rocky Mountain Piñon-Juniper Woodland (11%). Perennial aquatic habitats within the COA include 13 km (8 mi) of warm-water streams, 328 km (204 mi) of cold-water streams, and 13 ha (32 ac) of cold-water reservoirs.

A total of 73 SGCN are found (either observed or with potential habitat) within the COA, including 12 classified as Conservation Impact Species (I) and 13 as Current Focal Species (F) (Appendix G). Except for its southern- and easternmost edges, this COA may represent a climate refugia for the Grace’s warbler (Setophaga graciae) through 2075, and areas directly north of this COA may become suitable for this species over the next 50 years. Eastern portions of this COA may represent a climate refugia for the American pika (Ochotona princeps) through 2075 (NHNM 2024). This COA also has very high potential to contain microclimate refugia for birds and mammals in general, high potential to contain microclimate refugia for amphibians, and some potential to contain microclimate refugia for cold-water fish (Table 11).

Related Resources

• Conservation Opportunity Areas section in SWAP document