I am happy to waymark the elusive San Andres National Wildlife Rufuge sign, which is located on a highway pull-off on Hwy 70, under the category of “Flora and Fauna”, to bring attention to the refuge, which is closed to the public except for occasional special guided tours for education or research groups. The refuge is completely enclosed within the White Sands Missile Range and is therefore closed to public entry for security reasons.
The refuge is located about 9 miles north of this sign.
Created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt via his Executive Order 8646, the San Andres National Wildlife Refuge was created on January 22, 1941 for the conservation and development of natural wildlife resources, in particular the desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) in the state of New Mexico.
This special Refuge is located in the San Andres Mountain range, which is 80 miles long. The Refuge is in the southern portion of that range, and occupies an area about 21 miles long and 6 miles wide. The refuge covers 57,215 acres. The elevations of the refuge range from 8,239 (the San Andres Peak) to 4,200 (the valley floor), with rugged, steep canyon walls and deep canyons, all very enticing to the bighorn sheep.
Rainfall averages about 13 inches a year and supports pinyon-juniper woodlands on the higher elevations, while the Chihuahuan desert occurs in the lower elevations.
In addition to the population of endangered desert bighorn sheep, the refuge is home to mule deer, golden eagles, mountain lions, 38 species of mammals and 142 species of birds.
To learn about the refuge, please visit this website, which provides photos, history, even games for kids:
(
visit link)
Location:
5686 Santa Gertrudis Dr., Las Cruces, New Mexico
88012-Dona Ana County (575)382-5047, District 2,
New Mexico
********************************
Here is some of the text on the sign:
San Andres National Wildlife Refuge
Living on the Edge: The Desert Bighorn Sheep
Desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) adapted to the harsh climate of the Chihuahuan Desert. This climate shaped the landscape and the animals which live here. The hardy ones adapted by the thinnest margins between existence and extinction. Desert bighorn sheep, sure-footed herbivores (plant-eaters), can exist on very little food and almost no water. They thrive in seemingly inhospitable areas such as sheer cliffs and rock-strewn slopes. They literraly live on the edge. Yet, these survivors often have difficulty dealing with their biggest competitor-humans.
The range of the bighorn sheep shrinks with each new housing development or waterhole drained for thirsty communities. Domestic animals eat the food of the bidhorn sheep, drink their precious water, and bring diseases which decimate their populations. Protected areas like the San Andres National Wildlife Refuge are critical to helping these regal animals beat the odds.
Helping Habitat
Prescribed fire helps natural processes and native plant and animal communities. Other methods of creating favorable habitats may be used in these areas.