Large Landscape Conservation
Experience Sustainable Stewardship at Vermejo
Explore Vermejo’s outdoor laboratory, where your visit fuels vital work by our scientists. Every step through this thriving wilderness supports our large landscape conservation efforts toward healthy ecosystems, flourishing native wildlife, and a self-sustaining legacy.
Native Habitat and Connectivity
Habitat loss is a critical concern for native species conservation. Vermejo provides roughly 560,000 acres—over 850 square miles—of continuous and connected ecosystems. The natural landscape at Vermejo adjoins other large properties in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.
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Combined, these landholdings create regional corridors for wildlife. The large mosaics of native plant communities provide interconnected habitats not only for large mammals and migrating birds, but also for pollinators and decomposers that are the base of the food web for native species.
Landscape Carrying Capacity
A two-year study quantified Vermejo’s forage production in a normal-dry year, guiding how many large grazers—bison, elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and others—the land can sustainably support. This balanced approach prevents overgrazing and habitat degradation, visibly improving grassland and riparian ecosystems.
Read MoreLandscape Carrying Capacity
A carrying capacity study helped Vermejo Natural Resources staff determine how many large ungulates or grazers Vermejo’s ecosystems could support. In a two-year project, the study quantified the amount of forage the property produces during a normal-dry year. The carrying capacity guides grazing and elk population management to help keep the number of bison, elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and other grazers balanced with the vegetation production in the ecosystems to prevent overgrazing and habitat degradation. Vegetation response to the balanced bison and wildlife populations can be seen in improved grassland and riparian ecosystems on the property.
Riparian and Wetland Ecosystems
Vermejo built exclosures along the Upper Vermejo River, Ricardo, and Leandro creeks to allow native vegetation—willows, alders, and cottonwoods—to recover. Shaded waters help Rio Grande cutthroat trout, create bird habitat, and leaf litter provides food for aquatic insects. Increased vegetation is reducing bank erosion and allowed beavers to return.
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In conjunction with the carrying capacity study, Vermejo built riparian exclosures to allow native vegetation to recover along the Upper Vermejo River and Ricardo and Leandro creeks. The recovering willows, alders, and narrowleaf cottonwood shade the reaches, keeping temperatures cooler for Rio Grande cutthroat trout, creating habitat for birds, and providing leaf litter that feeds aquatic insects. The increased vegetation is reducing bank erosion and has allowed for the return of the American beaver into the watershed. In Vermejo’s high country, Costilla and Casias Creeks, home to Rio Grande cutthroat trout, are fed from headwater sloped wetland systems that drive the hydrologic function of the watershed.
Grassland
Ecosystems
Vermejo’s Natural Resources and Bison teams work to restore and protect the property’s grasslands. Annual monitoring—including photo surveys, precipitation data, and production clipping—tracks how these ecosystems respond to grazing pressures. Healthy grasslands support bison, pronghorn, elk, birds, prairie dogs, and vital insects.
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Ecosystems
Vermejo’s Natural Resources and Bison departments work to restore and protect the grasslands of the property. Currently, the staff monitor 27 rangeland transects annually in addition to long-term soil and plant health monitoring conducted by Ranch Advisory Partners. The transects include photo monitoring and collecting precipitation data, as well as production clipping. The grassland ecosystems are vital not only to bison, pronghorn, and elk, but to native grassland birds, Gunnison and black-tailed prairie dogs, other small mammals, and insects. The annual monitoring provides a critical check on how different grassland ecosystems are responding to ungulate populations, grazing pressure, and management.
Pinyon–Juniper Woodland
Small-scale forest treatments in pinyon–juniper woodlands address meadow encroachment and replicate low-intensity fire. As pinyon pines age, they produce fewer pine nuts—crucial for wildlife like pinyon jays and turkeys. Controlled treatment encourages healthier forests and more reliable nut crops.
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Vermejo conducts small-scale forest treatments in the pinyon pine and juniper woodlands. Scientists in the Great Basin and the southwest United States are concerned with pinyon-juniper habitat loss and the aging of pinyon pine forests. The small-scale treatments help address meadow encroachment, replicate low-intensity wildland fire, and encourage new growth of young pinyon pine. As pinyon pine ages, it becomes less productive and produces fewer masts (pine nut crops) that are key food for wildlife like the pinyon jay, Clark’s nutcracker, Merriam’s turkey, and black bear. pinyon jays stash the nuts in the soil, and those not retrieved and eaten are left to germinate and grow new trees.
Oak Shrublands
Oak shrublands in the southern Rockies often flourish on steep, south-facing slopes and can be the first vegetation to return after stand-replacing wildfires. Vermejo hosts three oak species, most notably Gambel’s oak, a key food source for black bears building fat before hibernation.
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The oak shrublands of the southern Rocky Mountains occur on steep and dry south-facing slopes and are often the first seral stage or biotic community that returns after a wildland stand-replacing fire. There are three oak species on Vermejo, with Gambel’s oak being the most common. The American black bear relies on acorn mast production in the fall for building fat for hibernation. Mountain mahogany is less dominant on Vermejo but is still an important browsing food source for mule deer.
Subalpine Forest
Vermejo’s high-altitude spruce, fir, aspen, and bristlecone pine forests host species such as snowshoe hares, dusky grouse, and fungi. Small-scale thinning mimics natural fire, creating open areas. Experimental exclosures protect young aspen sprouts from elk, preserving this dynamic subalpine ecosystem.
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The subalpine forest of the southern Rocky Mountains contains spruce, fir, aspen, and bristlecone pine. This high-altitude ecosystem on Vermejo is home to unique and snow-dependent wildlife like the snowshoe hare, dusky grouse, and numerous fungi. Small-scale forest thinning in the spruce-fir helps mimic fire, creating mosaics of open areas in the denser forest. Trial exclosures have been built to encourage the regeneration of aspen clones, as young aspen sprouts are a favorite food for elk. Vermejo is also preserving the habitat of the Colorado bristlecone pine, which are typically the oldest trees in the Rocky Mountains.
Ponderosa Pine Woodland and Savanna
Historic logging and fire suppression left Vermejo’s ponderosa pine stands overly dense. Since 1998, thinning has restored these forests toward a savanna-like ecosystem with open canopies, mature trees, and healthy understory grasses. Adjacent woodlands offer more tree cover, both relying on low-intensity fires to thrive.
Read MorePonderosa Pine Woodland and Savanna
Historic logging and wildland fire suppression resulted in ponderosa pine forest on Vermejo regenerating with a high tree density. Vermejo began a program in 1998 to thin the ponderosa pine forests to more natural ponderosa pine savanna and woodland ecosystems. Ponderosa savanna is typified by large, mature trees, a very open forest canopy, and a parkland setting with a productive grass understory. Ponderosa woodlands, adjacent to the savannas, have a slightly higher tree density, providing shelter to wildlife. Both ponderosa forest types are naturally dependent on frequent low-intensity wildland fire. To date, more than 40,000 acres have been treated.
Alpine Tundra
Above 11,000 feet, Vermejo’s alpine tundra shelters bighorn sheep, ptarmigan, pika, marmots, and rare plants like the Vermejo phlox. Short growing seasons prevent tree growth, yet streams and snowmelt from these peaks feed the Costilla watershed, sustaining Rio Grande cutthroat trout habitats below.
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Vermejo’s high-altitude alpine tundra ecosystem provides habitat for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, white-tailed ptarmigan, pika and marmots, and unique plants like the Vermejo phlox. The elevation ranges from roughly 11,000 feet at timberline to Vermejo’s highest peak at 12,931 feet. The short growing season and harsh conditions preclude tree growth, but alpine willows, flowering plants, butterflies, birds, and even elk utilize the tundra in summer months. The slopes off the peaks are the uppermost reaches of the Costilla watershed, and springs and snowmelt feed the hydrologic system of wetlands and creeks below that are home to the Rio Grande cutthroat trout.
SPECIES RECOVERY
Castle Rock Bison
Vermejo’s Castle Rock bison herd holds unique genetics with genes from three foundation herds and testing has shown the Castle Rock bison are free of bovine mitochondrial DNA. Vermejo’s bison team uses low-stress livestock handling to encourage herd migration across the landscape.
RIO GRANDE CUTTHROAT TROUT – VERMEJO WATERSHED
A different species of aboriginal Rio Grande cutthroat trout (RGCT) lives in the upper Vermejo River. Currently, the watershed is also populated by non-native brook trout. Vermejo is working to protect the genetically unique RGCT population and to limit the migration of other non-native fish into the reaches. Research is ongoing to determine effective methods to reduce the reproduction of the brook trout in the system.
Rio Grande Sucker and Rio Grande Chub
Though historically part of the Costilla watershed, Rio Grande sucker and chub are currently absent, possibly due to predation by non-native trout. Vermejo and our research institute are exploring the restoration of these species here, alongside conservation efforts at the Ladder property in southern New Mexico.
Small Mammals
Vermejo’s grasslands harbor Gunnison’s and black-tailed prairie dogs, though black-footed ferrets are no longer found here. Restored riparian zones invite beavers, western jumping mice, and potentially the New Mexico jumping mouse. Bats, squirrels, and snowshoe hares also utilize various forest and wetland niches.
Large Ungulates
Along with the Castle Rock bison herd, Vermejo supports elk, mule deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and white-tailed deer. Each species navigates a range of habitats—from shortgrass prairies to high alpine peaks—creating a dynamic balance within the land’s ecosystems.
Predators
Integral to ecological balance, Vermejo’s predators include black bears, cougars, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, eagles, and owls. No known wolves currently reside here, and recent surveys did not detect swift foxes. Vermejo’s Natural Resources Division is involved with active black bear and cougar research projects.
Birds
Situated along the Central Flyway, Vermejo features a dramatic elevation range that supports numerous bird species—from burrowing owls on the prairie to ptarmigan high in the alpine tundra. Migratory cranes and waterfowl pass through, while various owls, raptors, and turkeys roam throughout.
Amphibians
Restoring wetlands and riparian zones benefits amphibians like northern leopard frogs, tiger salamanders, and chorus frogs. Early summer echoes with frog calls in the ponderosa forest. Returning beavers create wetland habitats that may help combat declines caused by fungi and other threats.
Reptiles
Mid- to lower-elevation areas host snakes and lizards, including prairie rattlesnakes, gopher snakes, and western fence lizards. The mountain short-horned lizard—adapted to cooler piñon–juniper woodlands—gives live birth. These reptile predators keep smaller animal populations in check.
Insects and Spiders
Vital pollinators—bees, butterflies, moths—and decomposers flourish in Vermejo’s varied ecosystems. Glover’s silk moth uses willow and alder, while the yucca moth uniquely pollinates yucca plants. Predatory insects like orb-weaver spiders and damselflies keep populations balanced, contributing to healthy food webs.
Wildland Fire
Natural lightning-caused wildfires are part of healthy Rocky Mountain forests. Fire suppression, however, left forests overgrown. Vermejo partners with Colfax County District 7 Volunteer Fire Department—mostly Vermejo employees—to respond. Long-term goals include “managed fire” under safe conditions to benefit forests and grasslands.
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Wildland fire from lightning ignition is a natural component of the forests of the southern Rocky Mountains. For decades, fire suppression has resulted in overly dense forests and the accumulation of downfall. For wildland fire response, Vermejo partners with the Colfax County District 7 Volunteer Fire Department, which is comprised almost entirely of Vermejo employees. The long-term goal of the Vermejo Natural Resources Division and District 7 is to be able to conduct ‘managed fire’ response, where fires under the right conditions can be allowed to benefit the forests and grasslands of the landscape.
Road Management
Well-designed roads help redirect water back to the landscape, reducing erosion and retaining moisture for vegetation. Structures like rolling water bars slow water flow, trapping sediment and enabling the soil and plants to utilize the moisture effectively.
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Water is one of the most valuable resources of the West. Roads, if not well designed, can capture and channel water, creating erosion issues while removing the water from adjacent habitats. Vermejo works to improve road design to ‘harvest’ water caught on roads and return the water to the landscape. Structures such as rolling water bars can quickly return the water to nearby vegetation, slowing the flow, allowing the vegetation to catch sediment, and keeping the sediment from entering nearby streams. The water, once slowed, can be absorbed into the soil and then utilized by plants.
Fencing
Traditional fencing in the West hinders wildlife migration. Vermejo has removed most interior fences, allowing bison and other large mammals free movement. Where fencing is necessary—boundary lines and public roads—it’s being converted to “wildlife-friendly” designs that facilitate safe crossings.
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Traditional fencing in the western United States creates barriers to wildlife migration and movements within a landscape. To allow bison, elk, deer, pronghorn, and other large mammals to move freely across the property, Vermejo has worked to remove most interior fences. There are no pastures on Vermejo other than on the shortgrass prairie in the winter bison grazing areas. In places where fencing must remain, along boundaries and public roads, Vermejo staff is working to transition the existing fencing to wildlife-friendly fences to allow wildlife to easily and safely cross.
Invasive Plant Species
Since 2005, Vermejo has run a coordinated program to control salt cedar, Chinese elm, Russian olive, and various invasive thistles. Non-native plants disrupt native biodiversity and reduce habitat quality. Removing or reducing these species protects the broader ecosystem’s integrity.
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Vermejo began a coordinated invasive species control program in 2005. Non-native plants can outcompete native plants, reducing biodiversity. The loss of native plants impacts an entire ecosystem, as native animals are not adapted to utilize the non-native plants. The primary objectives are to eliminate salt cedar, Chinese elm, and Russian olive from riparian areas; to control or eradicate (if possible) leafy spurge from the Ponil Creek riparian corridor; and to control invasive species such as Canada thistle, bull thistle, musk thistle, Scotch thistle, yellow toadflax, knapweeds, hoary cress, and other non-native plants.