The 17,701-acre fernandez (upper) l-bar ranch property rests on the northeastern slopes of MT

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 2 awarded a $12,459,708.75 Formula Grant to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611). The funding will support projects to conserve and enhance over 17,701 acres of important year-round habitat for Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, pronghorn, black bear and wild turkey in northwestern New Mexico. Specifically, the grant will fund the acquisition of the Fernandez (Upper) L-Bar Ranch property, which connects the Marquez Wildlife Management Area to lands managed by the Cibola National Forest and Bureau of Land Management. Conserving this habitat corridor will protect migration routes for big game species while also increasing hunting opportunities in Game Management Unit 9. The period of performance is from April 14, 2022 to September 30, 2022.

Taylor in northwestern new mexico and supports important yearlong and summer habitat and movement corridors for rocky mountain ELK, mule deer, pronghorn, black bear, wild turkey, and many other species of wildlife. The acquisition of this property will conserve these wildlife habitat values, while increasing big game hunter opportunity in game management unit 9.importantly, this property connects the marquez wildlife management area to the south, with lands managed by the cibola national forest and bureau of land management to the north. To conserve big game habitat and protect migration corridors for rocky mountain ELK, mule deer, and other wildlife species, as well as provide substantial wildlife associated recreational opportunities.