The Santa Fe River COA spans approximately 9,060 ha (22,388 ac) and is located about 16 km (10 mi) southwest of Santa Fe. It includes portions of the Santa Fe River corridor and surrounding upland areas.

Approximately 55% of this COA is privately owned, 36% is managed by the BLM, 5.5% by the SLO, 2.5% by the USFS, and less than 1% is Tribal land. This COA also includes the Caja del Rio Important Bird Area and 40% of the COA is currently protected.

The COA supports 15 native vegetation habitats, two ruderal or introduced vegetation types, and agricultural vegetation, barren areas, developed and urban spaces, and open water. The dominant habitat is Intermountain Dry Shrubland and Grassland (52%), while Intermountain Tall Sagebrush Shrubland (14%) and Rocky Mountain Piñon-Juniper Woodland (10%) are also prevalent habitats in the COA. Additionally, 13% of the COA consists of developed and urban spaces. Perennial aquatic habitats within the COA include 27 km (17 mi) of warm-water streams.

A total of 26 SGCN are found (either observed or with potential habitat) within the COA, including seven classified as Conservation Impact Species (I) and six as Current Focal Species (F). This COA has high potential to contain microclimate refugia for birds and mammals and some potential to contain microclimate refugia for amphibians.

Related Resources

• Conservation Opportunity Areas section in SWAP document