Pitchfork Ranch

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 5,150’ to 5,650’. Spanning 11,393± acres, including 5,160± deeded acres, 3,597± Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lease acres, and 2,626± New Mexico 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, five times more than forests and 500 times more than oceans. The Cole Family has invested over a million dollars in restoring Burro Ciénaga and its surroundings using a combination of private and public funding. After two decades of habitat restoration, this land is 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.

For a detailed history of the ranch and the habitat conservation efforts, please see A.T. Cole’s Restoring the Pitchfork Ranch, How Healing a Southwest Oasis Holds Promise for Our Endangered Land (2024), published by The University of Arizona Press.