The Gila River is one of the last free-flowing rivers in the southwestern U.S. and contains an abundance and diversity of fish and wildlife. The Gila Wilderness, where the Gila River originates, was the very first wilderness area designated in America in 1924. The greater Gila area is unmatched for outdoor recreational opportunities like hiking, backpacking, horse packing, rafting and kayaking, hunting, fishing and mountain biking/bike packing. Increased outdoor recreation would create more jobs for New Mexicans, connect them to their heritage, contribute to solving disparities in health and outdoor access, and diversify and strengthen local economies. The Gila’s canyons, cliffs and cottonwood groves are home to historic Native American and early pioneer sites.
The Gila faces chronic pressures from dams, river diversion, mining, and development projects. New Mexico Wild has been working with partners and community members for years to protect this landscape through Wild & Scenic designation to keep it healthy and thriving. Designating this river would preserve the free-flowing nature of the Gila, supporting groundwater recharge and increasing resilience to drought. New Mexico Wild and its partners will work to demonstrate overwhelming community support for protection of this important landscape.
