| Ownership |
Tommy Bolack, Farmington, NM |
| Habitats |
River, Artificial ponds, Cottonwood bosque, Grassland/shrubland |
| Land-use |
The ranch is primarily dedicated
to Nature and Wildlife Conservation with the secondary purpose of
Agriculture/Livestock. |
| Threats |
Invasive/non-native plants, Feral dogs/cats. |
| Site Criteria |
State conservation species (D1), State waterfowl (D4ii) |
| Site Description |
The B-square Ranch was established in 1957 by Tom Bolack to demonstrate
multiple land use. The 300 acre operation involved land reclamation, river
rechanneling and production of wildlife habitat. Over a thirty year period,
several large acquisitions would enlarge the ranch to it's present 12,000 acres.
Several river rechanneling projects would straighten five miles of the San Juan
River and produce eight new lakes and 1,000 acres of riparian wildlife habitat.
A land reclamation project would transform 7000 acres of wasteland into
productive farm land. Finally a watershed management program would construct 300
retention dams and re-seed nearly 5,000 acres of barren canyon lands. Today, the
operation boasts a 650 head cattle heard, 400 deer, winter refuge for 75,000
waterfowl, home to pheasant, turkey, quail and raptors. The showplace of
resource conservation at work clearly demonstrates that agriculture, livestock,
wildlife and oil an gas production can co-exist in mutual benefit.
Five miles of intact riparian habitat along
the San Juan River. 100 acres (42 hectares) are in agricultural production. Much
of the rest is wildlife habitat and grazing. Uplands include Piñon-juniper
woodlands. Nine ponds are used by winter waterfowl. |
| Birds |
This area and nearby Morgan Lake are the most important wintering
areas for geese and dabbling ducks in San Juan county. Almost 20000 of these
(primarily Canada Goose and Mallard) winter on the ranch. The observations from
the Farmington Christmas Bird Count capture the numbers of ducks and geese that
move between the various lakes in the area. A few other species of
conservation concern also winter in these habitats including Wood
Duck, Lesser Scaup, Redhead, and Canvasback. |
| Conservation Issues |
Invasive plants and non-native predators. They are trapping
wild dogs and cats. Bobcats are left alone. Management is aware of a number of
invasive exotics and actively seeks to reduce or eliminate plants except for
Russian Olive. |
| Conservation Plan |
|
| Monitor(s) |
None assigned. |
| Nominator |
Christopher Rustay, 1824 Stanford Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM,
87106 |
| Sources |
Christmas Bird Counts [NMFA] 1995-2004 (CBC) |
| Links |
B-Square
Ranch |
| Directions |
Comming from the West (Shiprock): Start out going on
US-64 East for 28.8 miles; US-64 East becomes Broadway into the city of
Farmington; Drive 1.1 miles and Turn LEFT onto US-64 East/Bloomfield Hwy; Drive
1 mile Turn RIGHT into gated entrance.
Comming from the East (Bloomfield): Start out going West on US-64 toward
Farmington for 10.1 miles; Turn LEFT into gated entrance.
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