Bureau of Land Management, Arizona.
The Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area (CMA) is 55,000 acres of rugged beauty, lush riparian areas, and an array of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. This area is jointly owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. These three groups are working together to conserve and enhance the unique ecosystems found here and to protect endangered species, as well as the areas they depend upon. The mosaic of public and private land, which includes the BLM's Redfield Canyon Wilderness, the U.S. Forest Service's Galiuro Wilderness, and The Nature Conservancy's Muleshoe Preserve, offers a diversity of remote recreational opportunities.
Within the Muleshoe is found most of the watershed area for seven permanently flowing streams, representing some of the best remaining aquatic habitat in Arizona. Some 80% of the region's wildlife species depend upon these streamside communities at some time in their lives. The importance of this area to early settlers is seen in the numerous ranches and homesteads that dotted the area in the last 150 years. They were also critically dependent upon the riparian communities for their survival in such a rigorous landscape.
The Muleshoe provides everyone with the opportunity to learn more about southeastern Arizona's rich natural and cultural history. This area boasts rugged mountains, canyon streams, saguaro cactus, and mesquite bosques that are home to desert dwellers such as Coatimundi, Javelina, and a wide variety of neo-tropical migratory birds and native fish.
From Willcox, take Interstate 10 to exit 340 south. Turn right on Bisbee Ave., then turn right on Airport Rd. After 15 miles, bear right at a fork in the road. Drive 14 more miles to The Nature Conservancy's Muleshoe Headquarters.