Local tourism spotlight on Southern Arizona | Environment

A couple of weeks ago, we invited you to be a contestant in our quiz show. And we’re pleased that a number of you did and received your free gift for answering the five questions correctly. For those who would like to know the answers, here’s the answer to the second question.<?xml:namespace prefix = o />

Q. What does the acronym SPRNCA stand for?
A. San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.

While, locally, most of us refer to the area just as the San Pedro River, the SPRNCA is 57,000 acres of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This national conservation area was designated in 1988 by Congress with the intent of protecting and preserving the natural eco-system of the desert riparian area. The SPRNCA is considered one of the most important and valuable riparian areas in the United States as it flows north through both the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts of Southeastern Arizona.

It provides habitat for migrating birds and wildlife—up to 250 species of migrating birds—and is home to 84 species of mammals, 14 species of fish, 41 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 100 species of breeding birds.

In addition to abundant bird and wildlife, the national conservation area is also home to historic sites, such as the Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate, Fairbank, Millville, and Charleston. The historic sites are a valuable insight into our history, both for the Southwest and for our nation. SPRNCA is also home to one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites: Murray Springs Clovis Site.