Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian areas of the Southwest. After decades of work and partnerships with the Service and NRCS, Beth Bardwell and her husband John Holzman now get to enjoy the songs of the birds and watch them feed their young each spring during nesting season.
By Isabella Martinez, Intern Contributor
RADIUM SPRINGS, N.M. - When birds migrate, they need stopover habitat, areas along the flight route where they can rest and refuel. For threatened and endangered species like the southwestern willow flycatcher and the yellow-billed cuckoo, the steady decline of these stopovers due to development presents a challenge. Habitat restoration is especially crucial in aiding these two neo-tropical migratory birds during their yearly journey as fewer are detected each year. To one private landowner, this decline in bird populations became the start of a mission.
“Over 20 years ago, we bought a plot of land intending to restore the native habitat,” said Beth Bardwell, who is a water conservation policy attorney. “I had experience in this field, and I had some ideas on how to do this, but I knew that I’d need to get outside help to create habitat for endangered species.” She contacted the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program (PFW) for help.
“The mission of the PFW Program is to help private landowners and tribes create wildlife habitat that benefits federally protected species. Through our program, we can cover the cost of doing that work depending on the project. The landowner may need to match,” explains Angel Montoya, a biologist with PFW for over 14 years. To evaluate if restoration projects would be viable or if it could disturb any established habitat, former NRCS biologist and current head of New Mexico PFW, Santiago Misquez initiated an assessment of the land.
This property along with its surrounding landscape has been changed both intentionally and accidentally by the humans who’ve inhabited it through history. In the iteration inherited by Bardwell, salt cedar ran rampant. An invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species brought from central Asia that competes with native vegetation, this tree can present unique challenges for the species within the Rio Grande’s riparian Bosque. However, the flycatcher and other birds have been observed using these trees for nesting. In the case of this property, it was determined safe to remove.
With NRCS partnering on the restoration on one side of the property and PFW on the other side, a lush habitat for migratory birds was created. The restoration projects grew and have evolved into what's now suitable habitat for both species as well as other birds.
“Over time and with the help of partners we removed all the salt cedar, and we can enjoy this lush native desert wetland habitat and the wildlife and plants that show up. It’s where we spend most of our free time, staying on top of salt cedar growth,” said Bardwell’s husband John Holtzman, a retired astronomy professor and former department lead at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces.
“We've put in a lot of hours just this season. Last year the river ran very high and deposited a lot of seeds, so there’s been lots of seedlings,” said Holtzman. “I think I've turned the corner just this week, and I'm optimistic that we’ll be successful in removing it all. What we like to do on the property is get out there early to look for birds, listen to their calls, and appreciate the hours that we've put in.”
With steady work, a ten-year old habitat has been successfully established. Even after the officially funded project concluded, Bardwell and her husband continue to maintain their property’s restored habitat. During surveys for southwestern willow flycatchers and yellow-billed cuckoos, conducted from Isleta, New Mexico, down to El Paso, Texas, there is a chance of detecting these threatened and endangered species on the Bardwell’s property. It's an accomplishment worth celebrating since the habitats, while endemic to New Mexico, are far from simple to restore.
Historically, the river flooded a vast majority of the valley, in recent years the natural flooding that native habitats rely on has become less common, however, the monsoons of 2024 delivered, meaning more salt cedar seedlings to pull in the coming Spring.
Looking into the future, even in good years, drought is an ever-present consideration. Especially on properties south of Elephant Butte Dam near Truth or Consequences, as Bardwell and Holtzman maintain the restored habitat and continue to consider factors for improvement.
“It is our passion, church, and main hobby,” Bardwell explained.
“Although this may seem like a small property to some, it’s properties like this from Albuquerque to El Paso that can create a string of jewels for the birds,” said Montoya.
