For several years Sky Island Alliance has been working with the US Forest Service to enhance wildlife habitat at the historic Brown Canyon Ranch. Following the successful installation of an aquatic liner at the pond as well as the installation of over 100 native plants last year, we are going back to plant more milkweeds. This project will provide excellent habitat for the threatened Chiricahua leopard frog, local pollinator species and a myriad of other native plants and animals.

Brown Canyon Ranch was first settled around 1800 and has passed through the hands of numerous homesteaders and ranchers since then.  In 1998, the property was acquired by the US Forest Service which currently manages the site in collaboration with the Friends of Brown Canyon Ranch, a volunteer organization out of Sierra Vista.  Wild Duck Pond, located on the ranch, is a popular bird watching site in the Huachuca Mountains.

This is rated as a moderate event due to uneven terrain and will include installing and watering new native plants, removing weeds and other associated tasks. No hiking is necessary, but participants will be working together to lift heavy items and/or conducting work with shovels and other hand tools.

§  Take I-10 east toward El Paso.  Look for exit 302 for AZ-90 S (approx. 37 miles east of Tucson)

§  Continue south on AZ-90 toward Fort Huachuca/Sierra Vista

§  Stay on AZ-90 to Sierra Vista and stay straight onto N. Garden Ave., which turns into S. Buffalo Soldier Trail.  Follow for 5 miles then turn right onto AZ-92.

§  Follow for 3 miles and turn right on to Ramsey Canyon Road. Keep going on Ramsey Canyon Road until you pass Calle Metate. Turn right just after that onto a gravel road and follow all the way to the end, bypassing the trailhead parking areas.

§  http://www.browncanyonranch.org/directions.html

Water, snacks and lunch, sturdy shoes or sandals, long pants, sun screen, hat and sunglasses.

 PROVIDED BY SIA

Tools, extra water, and work gloves. Volunteer waiver: to be filled out once per year