Las Cienegas National Conservation Area

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Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
284px
Cienega Creek
Map showing the location of Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
Map showing the location of Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
Location of Las Cienegas in the United States.
Location Pima and Santa Cruz counties, Arizona, USA
Nearest city Sierra Vista, Arizona
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Area 45,000 acres (180 km2)
Established 2000
Governing body Bureau of Land Management
Official website

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]

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]

Gallery

  • Empire Ranch Arizona Cienega Creek Cottonwoods September 2007.jpg

    Cottonwood trees along Cienega Creek.

  • Old Shack Las Cienegas National Conservation Area 2007.jpg

    An old shack along Cienega Creek.

  • Bracket Fungus Las Cienegas National Conservation Area September 2007.jpg

    Bracket fungus in the NCA.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

External links

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