Habitat Handbook

Guidelines for minimizing impacts of specific land use practices on wildlife and wildlife habitats.

Desert bighorn sheep in southwestern NM.

The New Mexico Game and Fish Habitat Handbook is provided in an effort to encourage incorporation of conservation practices in the earliest possible stages of project development. It contains conservation measures, with respect to specific land use practices, targeted toward minimizing impacts of projects on wildlife and wildlife habitats.

Entities requesting NMGF biological reviews are directed to send documents to both the Santa Fe and appropriate area office (see NMDGF Region Map below). The Department requests that inquiries include the following information.

• Project proponent contact information
• Location (be as specific as possible– county, address, legal location etc.) and maps
• Project description including timing of project implementation
• Site description, including information such as topography, vegetation types and drainages. Photographs of the project site are helpful.
• Any analysis of project effects that has been completed, or reference to effects of similar previous projects
• Proposed mitigation activities
• Environmental documentation (EA, EIS), if applicable
• Project comments are normally completed and comments returned within 30 days of receipt.

Project Guidelines

Assessing Methods for Reducing Deer Vehicle Accidents

Bridge and Culvert Construction Guidelines for Stream, Wetland, and Riparian Habitats (Updated 11-22-2019)

Burrowing Owl Surveys and Mitigation 2007

Communication Tower Project Guidelines USFWS

Effects of Roads on Wildlife and Habitats

Livestock Wildlife Fence Guidelines

Mining Guidelines

Mule Deer Habitat Guidelines for Colorado Plateau Shrubland And Forest Ecoregion

Mule Deer Habitat Guidelines for Southwest Deserts Ecoregion

New Mexico Quail Habitat Guidelines

Oil and Gas Guidelines

Powerline Project Guidelines 2007

Restoration and Management of Native and Non-native Trees in Southwestern Riparian Ecosystems (Updated 11-22-2019)

Riparian Grazing Guidelines

Sand Dune Lizard Recommendations

Trenching Project Guidelines (Updated 3-22-2022)

Wildlife Baseline Study Guidelines and Appendix (Updated 11-22-2019)

Wind Energy Guidelines

Habitat Specialist

Information and Locations

NMDGF Regions Map

Urraca Wildlife Area in northern NM.

Links

BISON-M: Species Account & Habitat Database

New Mexico State Forestry: Rare Plants

New Mexico Environmental Review Tool

New Mexico Natural Heritage Office

USFWS Endangered Species