Bald Eagles
The Tonto National Forest contains a significant portion of the core breeding areas for the bald eagle in Arizona along portions of the Salt and Verde rivers within the Forest. Through management and protection of these bald eagle nesting areas, the Tonto National Forest has contributed to the recovery of the bald eagle since the species was listed in 1967. The Forest has promoted protection and enhancement of the species and its habitat by restricting land management activities, maintaining "No Entry" areas around bald eagle nests, initiating and supporting the "Bald Eagle Nestwatch". In 1978, the Tonto National Forest and Maricopa Audubon Society began the Nestwatch Program by stationing observers at bald eagle nests on the Salt River to protect bald eagles from recreationists, aircraft overflights, and other activities that were affecting bald eagle reproduction. This program has since been directed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and later the Arizona Game and Fish Department and is considered critical to the recovery of the species.
Cave Creek Ranger District
Mesa Ranger District
Tonto Basin Ranger District
The Tonto National Forest serves on the Southwest Bald Eagle Management Committee (SWBEMC), a committee comprised of federal, state, private and tribal agencies dedicated to coordination and cooperation of funding and activities designed to protect and recover the bald eagle. Efforts by these land management agencies have been successful in increasing the number of eagles fledged from a low of 4 in 1974 to 43 in 2014.
The SWBEMC continues of coordinate activities, such as the Nestwatch Program, public education, and research needs, across multiple agencies. The committee's website is found at the following link and contains extensive information of Arizona bald eagles, protection and other activities.
For more information, visit the Southwest Bald Eagle Management Committee web site.
Alerts & Warnings
- EVACUATIONS: 136th Street to 144th Street to Dove Valley Rd to Tonto Boundary
- NEVER Bring or Use Fireworks on Federal Lands. It is Illegal.
- 03-12-01-24-29 Riverside Fire Closure Order
- 03-12-03-24-26 Adams Fire Emergency Closure Revision
- 03-12-06-24-27 Tonto Creek Crossing Road Closures
- 03-12-00-24-24 Emergency Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Entire Forest
- 03-12-01-22-26 Rattlesnake Cove Recreation Fishing Dock Closure
- 03-12-01-24-28 Wildcat Safety Recovery Closure Order
- Amended - Apache Lake Closure - Lower Burnt Corral Campground remains closed
- Bald Eagle Seasonal Closures
- Occupancy and Use Restrictions
- Update on State Route 88 (Apache Trail) - August 18, 2021
- Redmond Fire Road Closure