The Big Springs/Walnut Creek riparian corridor contains native speckled dace and is a site for native fish repatriation plans in the future. This is one of two places in the Show Low Creek Watershed that currently contains native fish.

Challenges that AZ Game and Fish see for the tract include

• providing appropriate habitat management to promote wildlife viewing opputunities (primarily birds and small mammals) while avoiding nuidance wildlife conflicts from large mammals such as elk, bear and javelina
• provide appropriate monitoring and proactive management to effectively address invasive species issues
• ongoing maintenance of water quality/quantity in Woodland Lake, especially during drought periods

"Given the Park's proximity to and placement within a developed community the Department feels the Park should be primarily devoted to recreation, which includes angling, bird watching, and perhaps 'nature trails'( as it specifically relates to wildlife benefits). Due to the location of the park withing an 'urban' area, the primacy of public safety effectively limits management focus to certain wildlife/habitat oppurtunities. Riparian and wetland habitats provide high-value features for both wildlife and recreation, and would ideally remain a focus for ongoig habitat preservation and enhancement." - Jon Cooley, 2007, exerpt from Woodland Lake Park Survey.

During conversations with AZ Game and Fish in the summer of 2006 it was learned that The Woodland Lake Park Tract is not a migratory route for large mammals indigenous to the area.