The Middle Pecos River COA spans approximately 55,127 ha (136,222 ac) and extends about 70 km (44 mi) north and 50 km (31 mi) south of Roswell. It also includes the confluence of the Rio Felix and the Pecos River.

The majority of the land (~58%) in this COA is privately owned, while ~21% is managed by the BLM and 13% by the USFWS. The remaining 8% are state-managed lands, including those managed by the SLO (7%) and NMSP (1%). This COA also includes the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge Important Bird Area. Approximately 10% of this COA is currently protected.

The COA supports 15 native vegetation habitats, three ruderal or introduced vegetation types, and agricultural vegetation, barren areas, developed and urban spaces, and open water. The dominant habitats include Chihuahuan Semi-Desert Grassland (26%), Desert Alkali-Saline Wetland (20%), and Chihuahuan Desert Scrub (13%). Agricultural vegetation (18%) is also common. Perennial aquatic habitats include 202 km (125 mi) of warm-water streams and 23 ha (58 ac) of warm-water reservoirs.

A total of 58 SGCN are found (either observed or with potential habitat) within the COA, including 14 classified as Conservation Impact Species (I) and 19 as Current Focal Species (F). This COA has very high potential to contain microclimate refugia for reptiles and high potential to contain microclimate refugia for amphibians.

Related Resources

• Conservation Opportunity Areas section in SWAP document