Friends of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

FRIENDS OF BUENOS AIRES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Reta Rutledge, President of the Friends of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, talks with Big Blend Radio about the group’s volunteer work to help the Refuge restore and protect native Sonoran habitats and wildlife, and also provide wildlife-oriented education and recreation.

Located an hour south of Tucson, Arizona, the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1985 to reintroduce the endangered Masked Bobwhite Quail back into the wild. The Refuge spans over 117,500 acres of diverse habitats that include semi-desert grasslands, wetlands, creeks and mountain canyons, as well as cottonwood, sycamore and live oak trees. This unique combination of landscape provides habitat to over 340 bird species and a range of southwestern wildlife including pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, javalina, badgers and coatis.

Founded in 1996, The Friends is a group of citizens dedicated to supporting the mission of preserving and perpetuating the wildlife and wild lands that are part of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. As volunteers, they work to enhance public awareness and understanding of the Refuge’s natural history and ecology, and work in harmony with the Refuge to provide the greatest benefit for the present and help assure the legacy of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in perpetuity. They seek out and acquire funding for both environmental conservation activities and wildlife conservation activities that are identified by the Refuge management as part of their mission. They also have plenty of volunteer opportunities that range from putting up fences and removing barbed wire fencing, to caring for endangered species and conducting educational programs.

For more information and to get involved, visit https://friendsofbanwr.com/

JIGSAW PUZZLE: Take a listen to our Big Blend Radio interview with Reta Rutledge while piecing together this online jigsaw puzzle of the grasslands and Baboquivari Peak as seen from Pronghorn Drive, accessed near the Visitor Center at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in Sasabe, Arizona. Use the full screen icon to make it easier. Use your mouse roller or arrow keys to rotate the puzzle pieces and click and drag to put the pieces in place. Use the Image Icon to see the picture and the Ghost Icon to set your workspace.

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