Santa Rita Experimental Range
Santa Rita is the longest continuously active rangeland research facility and among the five oldest biological field stations in the United States. It attracts researchers from across the country, who want to explore its unique geology, landforms, soils, and vegetation.
This rangeland field station, on 52,000 acres, is uniquely positioned to support research, education, and outreach in the Southwest. Additionally, the Santa Rita serves as critical open space that supports threatened and endangered species in a region with a rapidly growing human population. Lessons learned from research on the Santa Rita help to improve the management of rangelands across the region and in arid and semi-arid regions across the globe.