The Gila Riparian Preserve:  Grant County

The Gila Riparian Preserve protects more than 1000 acres of the Southwest's fragile riparian habitat and the verdant gallery woodland along the Gila River, the last of the Southwest's major free-flowing rivers.

The Gila River supports an astonishing array of plant and animal life, including one of the highest concentrations of breeding birds in North America including such rare species as the gila woodpecker and the southwestern willow flycatcher. In the river are found several fish, including the loach minnow and spikedace, which are listed federally as threatened. A host of other rare animal species also use the preserve's habitats. A portion of the preserve is owned by the Conservancy in conjunction with the State of New Mexico pursuant to the Natural Lands Protection Act. Further down the river, the Conservancy was instrumental in protecting 560 acres in the Gila Lower Box which is now managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Through our work with landowners, federal and state agencies and local organizations, the Conservancy has protected more than 65,000 acres of the Gila. For more information about the Gila Riparian Preserve please call the New Mexico Chapter at (505) 988-3867.

Learn more about the Gila-Membres Rivers.

What's New
Once upon a time, a humble fish called the roundtail chub (Gila robusta) successfully occupied the warm, slow-flowing habitats adjacent to faster moving waters in New Mexico’s Gila River. Back from the Brink: A Fish Tale.

Directions
From Silver City drive west and north on U.S. Highway 180 about 28 miles to Cliff.  Then take a right on NM 211 and follow for about 1 1/2 miles.  Follow the left fork in the road which is NM 293 and continue up the valley about 7 miles until the road dead ends in a National Forest campground.  The preserve begins on the north side of the green fence. .

Accomodations: The Nature Conservancy's Bear Mountain Lodge in Silver City offers accomodations, an on-site naturalist and numerous opportunities for birding, hiking and other activities.

For information regading other activities, events and services in the Silver City area visit http://www.gilanet.com/silverweb/.