Cibola National Forest

	Cibola National Forest IUCN Category VI - Protected Area with Sustainable use of Natural Resources
	Poplar forest in the reserve
location	New Mexico , USA
surface	6,612 km²
Geographical location	34 ° 18 ' N , 107 ° 25' W Coordinates: 34 ° 17 '49 " N , 107 ° 24' 47" W.
Setup date	December 3, 1931
administration	US Forest Service

The Cibola National Forest is a national forest located in New Mexico . The protected area of IUCN category VI covers an area of 6,612 km² and was named after the legendary golden city of Cibola , where the Zuñi probably used the term to refer to their settlements or their home area.

Within the protected area there are various leisure and recreational offers, such as climbing and fishing opportunities, as well as riding trails. In addition, areas of the National Forest are used intensively for forestry and agriculture.

Like all National Forests, the forest area is owned by the Federal Government and is used intensively for forestry .

Flora and fauna

The terrain of the Cibola National Forest reaches heights of 1,500 m to 3,445 m. Research suggests that the sanctuary is home to more mammal and bird species than any other ecosystem in the southwestern United States. Over 200 rare plants and animal species can be identified, of which over 30 have been classified as endangered or threatened.

The native animal species include the American black bear , prairie dogs , pronghorn , spotted owl and turkey . Since the Rio Grande flows through the reserve, many migratory birds settle here in spring and autumn.

The native flora is just as diverse as the fauna. The forests consist of pines , Engelmann spruce , poplar , fir , juniper , willow or maple .

Further protected areas within the forest

The National Forest includes four total reserves with a total area of 557 km², which are designated as Wilderness Area :

Another 1,065 km² of the National Forest are declared as United States National Grassland , which is divided into four individual areas:

history

It has been proven by excavation that the area was settled by Paleo-Indians over 14,000 years ago . In modern times , the area was mainly populated by Apaches . Cochise and Geronimo, for example, have their roots in the park's Magdalena Ranger District and the Apache Kid's grave is said to be in the Apache Kid Wilderness . At times also are Butch Cassidy and his gang refuge here have found. Impressions from this time were described by Aldo Leopold .

At the end of the 18th century, the area was classified as a Forest Reserve and finally declared a National Forest on December 3, 1931.