Increasing Habitat Connectivity and Permeability for Pronghorn in Southeastern Arizona

The Southeast Arizona Collaborative Grassland Workgroup was created in 2010 to develop a southeastern Arizona Regional Pronghorn Strategy to increase pronghorn population numbers, distribution, and connectedness. The project aimed to improve habitat connectivity and access to available water sources through strategic fence modifications, and improve habitat quality through grassland restoration and addition of water sources. Under the 10-year initiative, 350,000 acres of occupied habitat has been connected with over 100 miles of fence replacements or modification. Additionally, 5,300 acres of grasslands invaded by woody plants have been restored through prescribed burning, mesquite removal, and herbicide application. The initiative has contributed an estimated 30% increase in pronghorn habitat acreage.