Lincoln National Forest in southern New Mexico varies from craggy limestone cliffs and desert canyons to rolling pinyon hills, high mountain streams, and subalpine forests and meadows. This tremendous diversity of habitats is home to a rich assortment of native animals and plants. Coupled with local climate patterns, the area's unique geological history has allowed many species to evolve here that are found nowhere else in the world.

Over half of all the threatened or endangered plants in New Mexico and one-quarter of all the rare or endemic animals in New Mexico are found here. The Forest Service manages habitat for these species to insure their populations for all to enjoy.

Also, over 300 species of wildlife, including almost 200 types of birds, are found on the Lincoln. Hawks, nuthatches, vireos jays, and many different owls are commonly heard or seen during even the shortest of forest visits. The abundance of deer, elk, bear, and turkey make the Lincoln one of the most popular hunting spots for hunters from New Mexico and west Texas.

Together, the Sacramento, Capitan, and Guadalupe Mountains make up one of the most biologically rich places in New Mexico. Although many of the areas on the Forest are widely used, other places are more remote and unexplored. For example, an entirely new species of plant was discovered in the Forest as recently as 1985.