Cochie Canyon

Cochie Canyon is a Habitat Protection Priority in the Tortolita Fan and contains Important Riparian, Multiple Use, and Special Species Management Areas. This property contains a Priority Conservation 1 area for the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl, and contains Special Elements such as palo verde/mixed cacti, ironwood, and Sonoran desert scrub. A major wash crosses the property and will retain its natural floodplain function. Seven priority vulnerable species have a moderate to high probability of using this property, including California leaf-nosed bat, lesser long-nosed bat, Abert’s towhee, Bell’s vireo, cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl, ground snake, and Tumamoc globeberry.

The 290-acre Cochie Canyon property lies within the Tortolita Mountains. This highly developable property was acquired for conservation in May 2008. The property is comprised of rocky mountain slopes, a canyon bottom, with various washes flowing through. Mixed cacti and ironwood trees, including some specimens that are likely to be over 1,000 years old, dot the property.  Cochie Canyon provides habitat for a number of the wildlife species protected under the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. While the NW metro area continues to pose challenges to achieving conservation, the Cochie Canyon acquisition provides a unique opportunity to protect this rugged and biologically diverse area.

Date Acquired: May 18, 2002

Cost: $2,901,044

Acres: 290

Price Per Acre: $10,003

Type: Fee

Bond Category: Habitat Protection Priority

Additional reports: Cochie Canyon Biological Assessment

Barbara Garrison, Senior Wildlife Biologist at EPG, Inc.

Barbara Garrison, Senior Wildlife Biologist at EPG, Inc

Barbara Garrison, Senior Wildlife Biologist at EPG, Inc