Animals and Plants
The Tonto National Forest contains important habitat for a variety of wildlife, fish and rare plants. The forest's location, from the Sonoran desert to the Mogollon Rim, provides for diverse vegetation and elevation zones. Two major river systems, the Salt and Verde rivers, add to the overall diversity of the forest communities, as well as, corridors for birds that migrate along these rivers and drainages. Management, protection or enhancement of this habitat and populations of plants and animals that rely on this habitat is required by various laws including the Endangered Species Act, National Forest Management Act and others.
For the forest visitor or those concerned about forest management, wildlife and fish checklists, sensitive species lists, management indicator species lists, wildlife viewing sites, habitat improvement projects and other information is available on this site. Current or ongoing wildlife and fish projects, biological evaluations and assessments, volunteer opportunities, important bird areas, featured wildlife programs, and other information will be made available based on availability of information or public requests.
The following checklists provide information on wildlife and fish species that may be found on the Tonto National Forest year-round, seasonally, occasionally or as accidental visitors. These checklists are designed for use in the field to record your wildlife observations. Information on unusual sightings can be reported to Ranger District or Forest Supervisor offices.
Amphibians and Reptiles of the Tonto National Forest
Birds of the Tonto National Forest
Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6
Fish of the Tonto National Forest
Mammals of the Tonto Forest
Threatened and endangered species are species officially designated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service because the viability or continuation of the species' population is at risk. Protection and enhancement of these listed species and their habitat is required under the Endangered Species Act. Habitat quality or quantity is often a major reason for a species decline and it is incumbent on the Forest to insure management actions on the forest do not contribute further to a listed species decline. It is also the Forest's responsibility to implement recovery actions identified in Recovery Plans within the Forest's jurisdictional responsibilities.
Sensitive species are those species whose populations are of some concern because of overall declines or risks from land management activities on the Forest. These species are designated by the Regional Forester and require that management activities do not contribute to declines in the species that might affect population viability. The current Southwest Region Sensitive Species list was approved in 2000. Work is currently in progress on a revised list.
Species of concern are species included in the Forest sensitive species list that may also be assessed for project activities because of concern for a species habitat or because species may be affected by certain activities that may occur on the Forest. These species have no official designation, but are considered where projects may affect important habitat for the species.
Bald Eagles
Help protect the state’s 55 breeding pair of bald eagles, by giving them space as they begin rebuilding nests in preparation for laying eggs. Several of the areas closed each December are on the Tonto National Forest.
The Tonto National Forest contains a significant portion of the core breeding areas for the bald eagle in Arizona along portions of the Salt and Verde rivers within the Forest. Through management and protection of these bald eagle nesting areas, the Tonto National Forest has contributed to the recovery of the bald eagle since the species was listed in 1967. The Forest has promoted protection and enhancement of the species and its habitat by restricting land management activities, maintaining "No Entry" areas around bald eagle nests, initiating and supporting the "Bald Eagle Nestwatch." In 1978, the Tonto National Forest and Maricopa Audubon Society began the Nestwatch Program by stationing observers at bald eagle nests on the Salt River to protect bald eagles from recreationists, aircraft overflights, and other activities that were affecting bald eagle reproduction. This program has since been directed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and later the Arizona Game and Fish Department and is considered critical to the recovery of the species.
​The Tonto National Forest serves on the Southwest Bald Eagle Management Committee (SWBEMC), a committee comprised of federal, state, private and tribal agencies dedicated to coordination and cooperation of funding and activities designed to protect and recover the bald eagle. Efforts by these land management agencies have been successful in increasing the number of eagles fledged from a low of 4 in 1974 to 43 in 2014.
The SWBEMC continues of coordinate activities, such as the Nestwatch Program, public education, and research needs, across multiple agencies. The committee's website is found at the following link and contains extensive information of Arizona bald eagles, protection and other activities.
For more information, visit the Southwest Bald Eagle Management Committee web site.
If you have questions or require additional information about the wildlife, fish and rare plant program, contact one of the following individuals.
Forest Supervisor's Office
Drew Ullberg, Forest Wildlife Biologist drew.ullberg@usda.gov
Cave Creek Ranger District
Vacant, Wildlife Biologist
Globe Ranger District
Bryce Cowan, Wildlife Biologist bryce.cowan@usda.gov
Mesa Ranger District
Vacant, Wildlife Biologist
Payson/Pleasant Valley Ranger Districts
Christina Akins, Zoned District Wildlife Biologist christina.akins@usda.gov
Tonto Basin Ranger District
Bryce Cowan, Wildlife Biologist bryce.cowan@usda.gov
Invasive Weeds
The National Invasive Species Council defines “invasive species” as a species that is 1) non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and 2) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health (Executive Order 13112).
Arizona Administrative Codes R3-4-244 & R3-4-245 (Arizona Dept of Agriculture 1999) regulate certain invasive species in the state: “A noxious weed is defined as any species of plant that is detrimental or destructive and difficult to control or eradicate and includes plant organisms found injurious to any domesticated, cultivated, native or wild plant.” The recent director of Arizona ’s noxious weed program uses five biological criteria to describe noxious weeds: 1) exotic, 2) invasive, 3) competitive, 4) persistent, and 5) aggressive. (Northam 2004)
Invasive weeds first came to the attention of the Tonto National Forest in the mid-to late 1980’s with the discovery of yellow starthistle on private land in the community of Young by Francis Cline. Mr. Cline, family members and others in the community formed the Tonto Weed Management Area. They have enlisted the help of various agencies and organizations as cooperators to provide resources for control of weed infestations that have appeared in Pleasant Valley and Gila County.
Invasive plant control projects on the Tonto National Forest have amounted to very limited manual grubbing projects and application of herbicides along state and federal highway rights-of-way by the Arizona Department of Transportation, until 2003. In the summer of 2003, a Noxious Weed Program Manager was hired. The first large-scale project was a prescribed burn of Malta starthistle along Highway 188. This infestation was possibly first introduced in the mid-1980’s and had already spread significantly beyond the right-of-way in 2003. Projects since that time have included one follow-up to this burn, other prescribed burns, and manual grubbing of weeds in many other locations. Funding levels have been very low and are not expected to increase in the near future, despite noxious weeds being one of the four major threats to National Grasslands and Forests recognized nationally by the Chief of the Forest Service. The Forest depends upon special funding sources and grants to accomplish weed control projects.
Projects of the scale and type we have conducted have not been adequate to prevent weed infestations from growing. The wet winter and spring of 2004-2005 resulted in a population explosion of Malta starthistle, Saharan mustard, and red brome at lower elevations; and yellow starthistle, bull thistle, and diffuse knapweed on the higher elevation districts.
The Tonto has not been intensively surveyed for noxious weeds. Populations of some noxious weeds have been known for nearly 20 years and have spread considerably since they were first identified. Others are still being found in small infestations. Opportunities such as post-wildfire long-term rehabilitation funding have been used to complete more extensive surveys and control new infestations. Both long-term and Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation funds have been used to conduct weed surveys and removal in the areas of the Rodeo-Chediski, Picture, Willow, Diamond, Webber, Edge, and Cave Creek Complex fires.
Much of the Tonto’s efforts in the weed management program have been directed toward education and awareness of our own employees, regional Incident Management Teams, special interest groups, and the public. The emphasis of these presentations has been prevention of weed spread, and identification of common weeds on the Tonto. The Forest is developing relationships with surrounding land managers and other agencies and organizations that operate within the boundaries of the National Forest, to work cooperatively on weed control strategies and projects.
Current projects include:
Arnett and Telegraph Creeks Invasive Species Management Project
- The Tonto National Forest in collaboration with Wild AZ is implementing a critical restoration initiative in Arnett and Telegraph Creeks, located within the Tonto National Forest near Superior, Arizona. This area, especially Arnett Creek, is a lesser-known but ecologically valuable riparian corridor that contains stretches of perennial water—an increasingly rare and vital resource in the Sonoran Desert. These waters support a range of sensitive and endangered species, including amphibians, birds, and native fish. The goal is to remove non-native invasive plant species—specifically tamarisk (salt cedar) and oleander—that are threatening riparian ecosystems. These species have shown aggressive growth patterns and pose long-term threats to native vegetation and habitat quality. Following the removal, the Forest Service plans to enhance the area by replanting with native cottonwood and willow species, reintroducing Gila topminnow, and monitoring long-term to assess ecological recovery.
Himalayan Blackberry Management Strategy
- The Tonto National Forest has launched a comprehensive, long-term project aimed at managing and restoring lands affected by Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), a highly invasive species that threatens native biodiversity, disrupts ecosystem balance, and hinders forest access and recreation. This project follows a phased, adaptive management approach designed to achieve early detection, containment, and eventual restoration of native plant communities. The strategy is spread across multiple years, with built-in flexibility to adjust treatments based on effectiveness and field conditions. Through this phased timeline, the Tonto National Forest is working toward a landscape that is both resilient and ecologically healthy. The project underscores the importance of persistent monitoring, public involvement, and ecological restoration to ensure that invasive Himalayan blackberry is not only removed but replaced with thriving native ecosystems that benefit wildlife, water quality, and forest users alike.
Lower Salt River Restoration Project
- The Lower Salt River Restoration Project (LSRRP) is a riparian restoration project located on the Lower Salt River within the Mesa Ranger District, Tonto National Forest. The project aims to protect one of the few remaining low elevation desert riparian vegetation communities in the state. The project has started by restoring areas affected by the Cactus Fire, with a long-term goal of restoring the entire 14 miles of the Lower Salt River Recreation Area. Ecologically, the project aims to reduce the presence of invasive plant species, increase native plant abundance, reduce the risk of wildfire, increase water quality and quantity and improve riparian habitat for wildlife species. In addition to these ecological benefits, the project aims to educate and involve the local community through partnership opportunities, environmental education events for K-12 students and sustained community involvement in monitoring and maintaining restoration activities.
Botany
“Spines to the Pines” means the Tonto National Forest contains many different ecosystems. Our districts encompass the Sonoran Desert, semi-desert grasslands, Arizona chaparral, juniper and oak woodlands, ponderosa pine forest and mixed-conifer forest.
Plants are foundational organisms that provide many essential benefits to the ecosystem including clean air, food, and wildlife habitat. Several plants such as Arizona walnut, jojoba and agave are also culturally significant to many local American Indian Tribes.
- Saguaro’s (Carnegia gigantea) can live to be 150-200 years old! Saguaro flowers are pollinated by bats during the night and by bees and birds during the day.
- Hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus sp.) fruit tastes likes strawberries and is a major food source for rodents and birds.
- Beardgrass (Bothriochloa barbinoides) isa perennial bunch grass that grows along road sides and is said to have a sharp smell of blueberries if you crush its seeds.
- Alligator Juniper (Juniperus deppeana), typically found above 4,500 ft elevation, has bark that looks like an alligator’s skin.
- The Tonto Basin agave (Agave delamateri)is a rare domesticate that was tended by pre-Columbian people. It was most likely used for food and fibers.
Our forest botany program participates in numerous activities to ensure the preservation of our lands for generations to come. A day in the life of a botanist can include:
Monitoring for rare and invasive plants to manage for multiple uses. The Tonto is one of the most floristically diverse forests in the Southwest region with:
4 botanical areas
7 research natural areas
- Collaborating with partners on research, plant conservation, and citizen science programs.
- Coordinating native seed and plant production. The Tonto has partnerships with local nurseries to provide viable seed options for large-scale restoration efforts. Two examples are: Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI) and Sonoran Desert rehabilitation post-wildfire
"Spines to the Pines" Brochure
If you have questions or require additional information about our forest botany program, contact one of the following individuals.
Forest Supervisor's Office
Robert Madera, Forest Botanist robert.madera@usda.gov
Rikki Gurule, Botany Technician Rikki.gurule@usda.gov
Payson/Pleasant Valley Ranger Districts
Kenda Svoboda, District Botanist Kenda.Svoboda@usda.gov
Tonto Basin/Globe Ranger District
Danika Setaro, District Botanist Danika.Setaro@usda.gov