The Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch of the National Audubon Society

Montezuma Quail. Photo: Isaac Sanchez/Audubon Photography Awards.

The Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch of the National Audubon Society is an 8,000-acre sanctuary and living laboratory in southeastern Arizona, nestled in the grasslands that fill the spaces between the region's famous Sky Islands. Here, we work to formulate, test, and demonstrate methods to rehabilitate and safeguard the bioregion and provide assistance to community members and policy-makers in the protection and stewardship of our native ecosystems, natural resources, and quality of life.


Visiting the Research Ranch:

With thousands of acres of Arizona's most valuable and rapidly-declining habitats, flocks of researchers, and ongoing studies in our care, we do not have the capacity to allow drop-in visitation. For the safety of visitors, the preservation of habitat, and the safeguarding of research, access is by permit only, requires advance notice, is limited to our open hours, is limited to low-impact activities (birding, photography, etc.), and is not guaranteed. Audubon staff is always on site. More information is available here.

Visiting the Research Ranch
Visit

Visiting the Research Ranch

Access to the Research Ranch is by permit only, requires advance notice, and is limited to low-impact activities (birding, photography, etc.). Learn more...

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Conducting Research
Research

Conducting Research

Come use our living laboratory!

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Research
Research

Research

Non-disruptive ecological research forms the backbone of the science program at the Research Ranch.

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Library

Library

Visit our library to access scientific publications, reports and general information about the American Southwest and the Research Ranch in particular.

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Priority Birds on the Research Ranch

Montezuma Quail

Latin:  Cyrtonyx montezumae

Illustration for Montezuma Quail

Scaled Quail

Latin:  Callipepla squamata

Illustration for Scaled Quail

Botteri's Sparrow

Latin:  Peucaea botterii

Illustration for Botteri's Sparrow

Cassin's Sparrow

Latin:  Peucaea cassinii

Illustration for Cassin's Sparrow

Grasshopper Sparrow

Latin:  Ammodramus savannarum

Illustration for Grasshopper Sparrow

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Latin:  Coccyzus americanus

Illustration for Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Latin:  Calcarius ornatus

Illustration for Chestnut-collared Longspur

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