Size: 8,500 acres
Location: Torrance County
Eco-region: Arizona - New Mexico Mountains
Conservation Values: Wildlife habitat & scenic open space
Type of Project: Donated Conservation Easement
Date of Completion: Mid 2007
Property Description:The Deer Canyon Preserve is a 17,000 acre ranch located three miles south of Mountainair in Torrance County. Approximately 8,500 acres of the ranch will be placed under a conservation easement and will continue to be operated as a working cattle ranch. The other half of the property is being developed in phases as part of a planned, conservation development.
The property is characterized by rugged terrain, including a prominent canyon known as Goat Canyon in the northern part of the property, and portions of Chupadera Mesa in the southern part of the property. The predominant vegetative communities are Pinyon-Juniper woodlands and Pinyon-Juniper savannas, which are occasionally interspersed with Ponderosa pine and Gambel oak. The property also provides habitat for mule deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, mountain lions, black bears, turkeys, raptors, Gambel’s quail and mourning dove.
The property is contiguous to extensive State land holdings and surrounded by other private land. The property provides scenic open space along Highway 55 - “The Salt Mission Trail” - and Highway 60, and is visible from adjacent State lands. Highways 60 and 55 are well traveled by visitors to Mountainair, and the ruins at Abo, Quarai, and Gran Quivira. These roads provide visual access to the property, particularly the open, sweeping vistas of Chupadera Mesa.
The New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office indicates that several sites with archeological importance exist on the ranch, including a large pueblo site. While none of these sites are currently listed on the State Register of Cultural Properties and the National Register of Historic Places, some of these sites may be eligible for inclusion on these registers.
The proposed easement lands are currently used for cattle production, passive recreation and ecological research. Completion of this easement is planned for the end of 2006 or early 2007.
Property Photos:
