Gila Valley NRCD

Conserving 2,373,993 acres of Arizona

The Gila Valley NRCD serves the counties of Graham and Greenlee, located in southeastern Arizona. The District’s most defining feature is the Gila River, which runs directly through the area creating a diversity of landscapes, including high mountain ranges and low desert plains. The diverse landscape and climate create the prime location for fish, plant, and wildlife habitats along with abundant outdoor recreational and tourism opportunities. Located in the Gila Valley NRCD are the Apache Sitgreaves and Coronado National Forests, Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, Dankworth Pond Outdoor Archeological Classroom, Roper Lake State Park, Natural Hot Springs, Mt. Graham International Observatory, Discovery Park, Cluff Ranch Wildlife Area, Aravaipa Can-yon Wilderness Area, Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area, and Eagle Creek Bat Caves. A portion of the US Fish & Wildlife Mexican Grey Wolf Recovery Area is also located within the district.

Resource Concerns: 

  • Water availability, Quantity, Quality 

  • Soil Erosion & Soil Quality 

  • Livestock Production Limitations 

  • Inefficient Energy Use 

  • Degraded Plant Condition 

  • Noxious and Invasive Plants 

Conservation Practices:

  • Improved Irrigation Management 

  • Fencing/Grazing Management 

  • Brush Control / Management 

  • Water Distribution 

  • Noxious & Invasive Plant Control 

  • Vegetative Filter Strip 

  • Solar Powered livestock watering system 

  • Coordinated Conservation Management Ranch Planning 

  • Coordinated Conservation Partnership Imitative (CCPI) 

  • CREIP-Solar Improvement Program 

Nominations for District Supervisor Are Now Open!

The open seat is for a new 6-year term. To be eligible, a candidate must be 18 years of age, a resident of the District, a registered voter in the State of Arizona, and have a Cooperator Agreement on file.

A regular candidate nomination petition requires the signatures of district cooperators, while a write-in nomination petition does not require signatures. 

Write-in nomination petitions must be filed by March 25, 2024
Regular nomination petitions must be filed by April 24, 2024

Election Day is May 4, 2024

Nomination Petitions must be sent to the NRCD Board of Supervisors by emailing or calling the District’s point of contact listed on this webpage. Once you provide your email address, additional candidate forms will be emailed to you to complete the nomination process.

If you have any questions regarding cooperator agreements, nomination petitions, or filing, please send an email or call the District point of contact listed on this webpage.

  • What: Regular Meeting

    When: February 5, 2024, 3:00 PM

    Where: Gila Valley 267 N 8th Ave, Safford, AZ 85546

    Agenda: click here

  • Draft March 2024

    Click Here

Board of Supervisors

Justin Layton, Chair

Scott Alder, Vice Chair

Dennis Lunt, Secretary/Treasurer

Larry Barney, Supervisor

Gil Bowman, Supervisor

Contact Info