The Gila River is New Mexico’s most ecologically vital waterway — the state’s last undammed river and a sanctuary for extraordinary biodiversity. Home to over 300 bird species and critical habitat for threatened and endangered species including the Gila trout, Chiricahua leopard frog, southwestern willow flycatcher, and Mexican spotted owl, the river corridor supports wildlife ranging from mountain lions to the endangered Mexican gray wolf. The Gila region also offers unmatched outdoor recreation — hiking, rafting, fishing, hunting, and more — while serving as a living record of New Mexico’s cultural and natural history, including the nation’s first designated Wilderness area, established in 1924.
Beyond its ecological richness, the Gila holds exceptional climate adaptation potential. Its topographical diversity, habitat connectivity, and free-flowing waters support groundwater recharge, drought resilience, and downstream water supplies for communities across the region. Protecting the river through Wild and Scenic designation would preserve these functions while safeguarding critical wildlife corridors connecting wilderness areas across New Mexico and Arizona.
A 2020 study found that water-related outdoor recreation in the Gila and San Francisco River watersheds already supports nearly 3,900 jobs and $92 million in income. Wild and Scenic designation could grow recreation spending to $386 million and generate nearly 3,600 additional jobs — a transformative opportunity for underserved rural communities in southwest New Mexico.
New Mexico Wild has led the Gila Wild and Scenic campaign for 13 years, building a broad coalition of over 120 businesses, tribal nations, local governments, faith communities, and conservation organizations. New Mexico’s entire federal delegation has co-sponsored the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act, which has passed through the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee twice with bipartisan support. Despite this momentum, the Gila faces ongoing threats from proposed dams, diversions, mining, and rollbacks of federal land protections. Continued investment in grassroots organizing, coalition-building, and congressional advocacy is essential to securing permanent protection for this irreplaceable river.
