Pitchfork Ranch , Silver City, NM 88061

The Pitchfork Ranch transports you to a simpler time, where solitude and unspoiled beauty define the landscape. Located 30 miles south of Silver City, New Mexico, rugged mountains give way to the dramatic Chihuahuan Desert, and nine miles of the Burro Ciénaga flow through the heart of the ranch, providing a rare and critical water source. Elevations range from 5150’ to 5650’. Spanning 11,393 acres, including 5,160 deeded acres, 3,597 BLM lease acres, and 2,626 NM State lease acres, the ranch is a hub for wildlife and habitat conservation, and is protected by a Conservation Easement.

The Pitchfork Ranch’s reach of the Burro Ciénaga is the only ciénaga being restored on private property in New Mexico. Ciénagas are shallow, slow-moving marsh-like water unique to the American Southwest. With 95 % of ciénaga habitat lost, Burro Ciénaga is an important refuge for wildlife, including at-risk species such as the Chiricahua leopard frog and Gila Topminnow. Recent scientific evidence indicates ciénagas have substantial carbon sequestration, 5 times more than forests and 500 times more than oceans. The Cole Family has invested over a million dollars in the restoration of Burro Ciénaga and surrounds using a combination of private and public funding. After two decades of habitat restoration, this land is now returning to its pre-settlement condition.

The ecotone created by the ciénaga and the Chihuahuan desert makes for an incredibly rich biodiversity. Mule deer, foxes, coyotes, mountain lions, javelina, and Gambel’s quail are common here. Elk have become frequent visitors in recent years. Bald and Golden eagles enjoy the solitude. A comical troop of Coatis sometimes gathers near the headquarters. Old West charm, beauty, wildlife, and conservation are central to this property.