Cibola National Forest

Cibola National Forest is a United States National Forest located in New Mexico, United States, and is managed by the United States Forest Service. The forest is situated near the cities of Albuquerque and Socorro, and is close to the Sandia Mountains and the Manzano Mountains. It is one of the five National Forests of New Mexico, along with the Apache National Forest, Gila National Forest, Lincoln National Forest, and Santa Fe National Forest. The forest is also near the Petrified Forest National Park and the Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

Geography

The Cibola National Forest is located in central New Mexico, and covers an area of 1,930,819 acres (3,009 sq mi; 7,809 km²) in Cibola County, Catron County, Socorro County, and Bernalillo County. The forest is situated near the Rio Grande and the San Juan River, and is close to the cities of Gallup and Grants. The forest's terrain is diverse, with elevations ranging from 5,000 to 11,000 feet (1,500 to 3,300 m) above sea level, and includes the Magdalena Mountains, the San Mateo Mountains, and the Zuni Mountains. The forest is also home to several wilderness areas, including the West Malpais Wilderness and the Cebolla Wilderness, which are managed by the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

History

The Cibola National Forest was established in 1891, and was originally known as the Black Range Forest Reserve. The forest was later renamed the Cibola National Forest in 1931, and has since been managed by the United States Forest Service. The forest has a rich cultural history, with evidence of human presence dating back to the Ancestral Puebloans and the Navajo Nation. The forest is also home to several historic sites, including the El Malpais National Monument and the Fort Selden State Monument, which are managed by the National Park Service and the New Mexico State Monuments. The forest has also been the site of several mining and logging operations, including the Santa Fe Mining Company and the New Mexico Lumber Company.

Ecology

The Cibola National Forest is home to a diverse range of plant species, including ponderosa pine, piñon pine, and juniper. The forest is also home to several wildlife species, including mule deer, elk, and mountain lion, which are managed by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The forest's ecosystem is also influenced by the climate of the region, which is characterized by hot summers and cold winters, and is similar to the Mogollon Rim and the Colorado Plateau. The forest is also susceptible to wildfires, which are managed by the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Recreation

The Cibola National Forest offers several recreational activities, including hiking, camping, and hunting. The forest is home to several trails, including the Continental Divide Trail and the New Mexico Trail, which are managed by the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The forest is also popular for skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, and is close to the Sandia Peak Tramway and the Taos Ski Valley. The forest is also home to several lakes and rivers, including the Bluewater Lake and the San Juan River, which are managed by the New Mexico State Parks and the United States Bureau of Reclamation.

Management

The Cibola National Forest is managed by the United States Forest Service, which is responsible for maintaining the forest's ecosystem and providing recreational opportunities. The forest is also managed in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. The forest's management plan is guided by the National Forest Management Act and the Endangered Species Act, which are administered by the United States Congress and the United States Department of the Interior. The forest is also subject to several environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, which are administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Category:National Forests of the United States