Activity Report Explorer

Aldos Silver City • Entered by Marcia Stout on August 5, 2025

Riparian – Grazing Monitoring

June 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025

Key Issue: Livestock Grazing Management
Activity Type: Stewardship (monitoring, sampling, planting, etc.)
Key Partners: Gila National Forest
Landscape/area: Gila National Forest (2658321 acres)

Measurable Outcomes

Outcome 1: Trail/land monitored (3 surveys)
Outcome 2: Hiked (13.5 miles)

Short Description of Activity

On June 3, two members monitored the Gila River Bird Conservation exclosure starting at the end of the road trail head and heading downstream. We encountered one cow at a popular spot overlooking pools in the river. (Cow may have been injured or sick.) We heard back that the rancher had been notified and the staff would double check with him again. On June 12, three team members monitored the San Francisco River via the new NM Fish & Game access near Glenwood, heading upstream. We were pleased to observe no sign of cows within this lovely stretch of river. We were delighted to witness two desert bighorn sheep, one on either side of the canyon. They appeared to be “talking” to each other – seemingly like stereo to those enjoying the conservation below (baa!). We also observed a black hawk, a deer, and plenty of bear sign. On June 23, two team members monitored the Stone Creek area, hiking upstream to the AZ border. Although we did not see any cows, we did observe fresh cow sign so noted “cattle present” on the survey. Both exclosure fences need some work on the pvc piping and we noted this on the survey. There was a lot of elk sign, even inside the upstream exclosure. We did see two groups of cow elk nearby along the river. We noted some of the willows used in the restoration project were starting to leaf out, which was an encouraging sign. Our questions to District staff regarding what kind of vehicle traffic (if any) is allowed on the track in Stone Creek and whether the livestock gate at the AZ border should be open – remain unanswered. On June 16, six team members met with a GNF staff member to upload the most current Forest Survey monitoring survey 123 app on our phones.

Reflection/Evaluation

The San Francisco River via the NM Game & Fish access point seems to be less impacted than most of our other areas and a more intact riparian corridor that is a treat to monitor. We observed quite a lot of elk this summer and are wondering if the deep drought drove them closer to the streams or if there is another reason. It will be good to continue monitoring the Stone Creek area particularly given the restoration work during 2024. We hope to initiate photo point monitoring of that restoration work this fall, which would dovetail nicely with our livestock monitoring in that same area.

Photos/Uploads

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Photo Captions

1. Overlooking river pool where cow was observed in Gila River Bird Conservation area, June 3, 2025.
2. Looking up toward desert bighorn sheep on ridge while monitoring along the San Francisco River (Glenwood District,) June 12, 2025
3. Observing a herd of elk in the distance near the San Francisco River while monitoring close to Stone Creek, June 23, 1015.
4. Observing some of the 2024 stream restoration work while monitoring the Stone Creek area, June 23, 2025.