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The Gila Riparian Preserve protects more than 1200 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. 
In 2009, the Conservancy added 24 acres of important riverside habitat to the Gila Riparian Preserve. The new stretch inserts an important piece to this project area, which includes the preserve and more than 250,000 acres collaboratively managed by the Conservancy, local landowners, federal and state agencies and local organizations.
The Conservancy's long-term vision for the preserve is simple: Let the river rediscover its natural floodplain. Let new cottonwoods and willows spring up, providing important habitat for neotropical migratory songbirds, especially southwest willow flycatcher, a species whose population is in trouble.
The Gila River supports one of the highest concentrations of breeding birds in North America and an astonishing array of plant and animal life. In the river are found several fish, including the loach minnow and spikedace, which are federally listed 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.
For more information about the Gila Riparian Preserve please call the New Mexico Chapter at (505) 988-3867. Learn more about the Gila-Mimbres Rivers.
How We Protect Watersheds. Explore a cool interactive feature to see how the Conservancy protects freshwater resources worldwide.
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.
Volunteer
Join our volunteer work weekends and lend a hand with much-needed projects while exploring the Gila Riparian Preserve.
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. .
For information regading other activities, events and services in the Silver City area visit http://www.gilanet.com/silverweb/.
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