The San Francisco River COA spans approximately 185,608 ha (458,608 ac) in western New Mexico. It extends from Glenwood north to about 25 km (15 mi) north of Reserve and includes portions of the Brushy, Saliz, San Francisco, and Tularosa Mountains. The COA also encompasses a large portion of the San Francisco watershed and flows downstream to Glenwood.

The majority of this COA is managed by the USFS (92%), with the remaining 8% privately owned, except for a negligible portion managed by the SLO (<0.1%). Additionally, 26% of the COA is currently protected.

The COA consists of 20 native vegetation habitats, four 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 (32%), Madrean Lowland Evergreen Woodland (22%), and Colorado Plateau Piñon-Juniper Woodland (20%). Although they make up a small percentage of the COA overall, Southwest Lowland Riparian Forest (2%) and Montane-Subalpine Wet Shrubland and Wet Meadow (1%) are the most prevalent riparian vegetation types along the COA’s riparian corridors. Perennial aquatic habitats within the COA include 485 km (302 mi) of warm-water streams, 69 km (43 mi) of cold-water streams, and 1 ha (2 ac) of cold-water reservoirs.

A total of 77 SGCN are found (either observed or with potential habitat) within the COA, including 15 classified as Conservation Impact Species (I) and 17 as Current Focal Species (F). Most of this COA, except the southernmost edge, and areas north and east of this COA may represent a climate refugia for the pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) through 2075 (NHNM 2024). This COA has very high potential to contain macroclimate refugia for terrestrial species in general and high potential to contain microclimate refugia for birds in general and mammals and macroclimate refugia for aquatic species.

Related Resources

• Conservation Opportunity Areas section in SWAP document