Las Cienegas National Conservation Area

The Las Cienegas National Conservation Area is a National Conservation Area of Arizona, located in the transitional zone between the Sonoran Desert and the Chihuahuan Desert.[1]

Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Cienega Creek
Location of Las Cienegas in the United States.
LocationPima and Santa Cruz counties, Arizona, United States
Nearest citySierra Vista, Arizona
Coordinates31°46′48″N 110°37′08″W
Area45,000 acres (180 km2)
Established2000
Governing bodyBureau of Land Management
WebsiteLas Cienegas National Conservation Area

Description

Once facing an uncertain future that almost certainly included housing and commercial development, today more than 45,000 acres (180 km2) of rolling grasslands and woodlands in Arizona’s Pima and Santa Cruz counties are protected as a National Conservation Area. The region’s rolling grasslands, oak-studded hills that connect several "sky island" mountain ranges, and lush riparian corridors are irresistible to both people and wildlife. Ciénega Creek, with its perennial flow and lush riparian corridor, forms the lifeblood of the NCA and supports a diverse plant and animal community.[2]

Thanks to the efforts of local governments, elected officials and the public, the Empire and Cienega ranches, along with portions of the adjacent Rose Tree and Vera Earl ranches, are now under public ownership and managed by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) under the principles of multiple-use and ecosystem management for future generations to use and enjoy. The BLM has formed a partnership with the nonprofit Empire Ranch Foundation, which is dedicated to preserving the historic buildings and surrounding landscapes.[2]

  • Cottonwood trees along Cienega Creek.
  • An old shack along Cienega Creek.
  • Bracket fungus in the NCA.

See also

References
  1. "Las Cienegas National Conservation Area: FY 2011 Annual Manager's Report" (PDF). 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2013-12-08.
  2. "Las Cienegas NCA - BLM Arizona". United States Department of the Interior. Archived from the original on 2014-06-23. Retrieved 2014-07-21. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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