Executive Summary of Accomplishment

The New Mexico Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program funded habitat restoration work on private lands in Mulberry Canyon (in the Gila River watershed), approximately 20 miles southwest of Silver City, Grant County, New Mexico.  Restoration activities for this riparian and in-stream project include construction of in-stream structures and planting of willow, cottonwood, and other native.  Project activities will promote a diverse, healthy riparian corridor and stable stream channel that in turn will provide improved migratory habitat for the southwestern willow flycatcher and numerous migratory birds, as well as a variety of other wildlife. 

The Partners Program also funded habitat restoration work on private lands along La Jencia Creek, northwest of Socorro, New Mexico, five miles from the western boundary of Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge .  La Jencia Creek runs through the property, flowing north to join the Rio Salado and then to the Rio Grande.  The creek is fed by perennial springs which maintain perennial stream flow.  The creek supports a well-developed riparian area and a small cienega wetland, which provide unique habitat for wetland- and riparian-dependent wildlife species in an otherwise semi-arid environment.  The area is also unique because of its mature Goodding’s willow trees.  The proposed work includes fencing the upland buffer, riparian corridor, and cienega; removing non-native trees and planting native tree species along the riparian corridor; and restoring the cienega.  The riparian corridor will be restored by planting native shrubs and trees (cottonwood and willow) over 15 acres both upstream and downstream of the cienega to help stabilize the channel and prevent further erosion.  Large rocks will be strategically placed between the cienega and the main stem of the channel to help stabilize and protect the warm waters within and around the cienega, and to provide additional habitat for amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, and fish.