Audubon’s Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch

The San Ignacio del Babocomari land grant was established shortly after the Mexican war of independence in 1821 and large scale cattle ranching was introduced to the region. Drought decimated the herds in the late 1800’s. The combination of overgrazing and drought caused severe soil erosion, which led to changes in the soils, hydrology, and biotic communities in the region. The Appleton family purchased part of the original land grant and, in 1969, established the Research Ranch. The National Audubon Society assumed management in 1980.

The Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch (ARR) is a cooperative partnership among the National Audubon Society, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, The Nature Conservancy, and The Research Ranch Foundation. The Research Ranch lies three miles south of Elgin, and 65 miles southeast of Tucson Arizona. It is surrounded by 5 million acres of semi-desert grassland and forested mountains covering southeastern Arizona and adjacent portions of Mexico and New Mexico. For more than 30 years, the Research Ranch Sanctuary has protected grassland ecosystems through conservation, research, and education. The mission of ARR is to formulate, test, and demonstrate methods to restore and safeguard the bioregion, and provide assistance to citizens and policy-makers in the protection and stewardship of our native ecosystems, natural resources and quality of life.

The Research Ranch provides 3 key functions: ecosystem conservation, research, and regional education and outreach. Click on the links at left to learn more.

Conservation and Land Management: Cattle were removed from ARR more than 30 years ago, and efforts are being made to help natural processes rehabilitate an ecosystem that was not adapted to large grazing herbivores. Erosion control, eradication of exotic species, replanting of native grasses, and reestablishment of fire are all ongoing processes at ARR. See link at left to learn more about our conservation efforts.

Research: Birds and other animals, plants, soil, microorganisms, and even the air is studied on ARR. All projects have a common goal – how do we preserve and protect grassland ecosystems in the southwest? Click on the link at left to get more information about the sanctuary, what projects are underway, how to apply to conduct research at the Ranch, and view a bibliography of relevant publications.

Education: Workshops, seminars, field trips, and a website are all designed to help humans coexist with the rest of nature. Experts in geology, plant identification, zoology, hydrology, astronomy, landscape design, Firewise principles, and other topics share their expertise in various programs at ARR. ARR staff members also present programs to civic groups, clubs, and in classrooms, and participate in regional forums. Click on the Outreach and Education link to learn more.

To protect wildlife habitat and ongoing research projects at ARR, public access must be restricted. Some roads and trails are accessible with permission only. Email Researchranch@audubon.org or call 520-455-5522 for information. Please do not walk or drive off existing roads or trails, and do not collect any plants, animals, rocks, or artifacts.