40 replies to this topic

[fkee]

Do you love nature, birding, and a peaceful work/play environment? Would you like to live under the rainbow on a 312 acre privately owned nature preserve that has a year round creek, open skies, and not a neighbor in sight? If you can commit to a minimum of 3 months or more and can work 25 hours/week you can be eligible for a fantastic opportunity to help a non-profit conservation organization, live in nature, and live in a small friendly community. In appreciation for your services you are provided with a RV site with full hookups, DSL wifi, and free nationwide phone privileges. Location SE Arizona. The preserve needs applicants for all months of the year.

Hi my name is Frank Kee. My wife Josee and I volunteered at this preserve for several seasons. We were sad to leave but we have important personal and business affairs that require us to hit the road. We want to help pass the word out to the RV community about this unique wonderful volunteer opportunity. While many of you may have heard about volunteering for the National, State & County parks and preserves, little is known about this private preserve opportunity.

NOTE: Position is available year around.

Winter and Springs are popular months so advanced booking a year out is recommended but do know that each season has something to offer. We recommend volunteering for a year to really get an amazing appreciation of all the seasons.

Happy trails … Frank & Josee Kee

Click on our link below to get extended information about the experience here.
Detailed info

Also see blog Too Many Cats that chronicles experiences on the preserve written by Escapee members Dan and Sandy Weaver (AC7880) who came in after us to volunteer.

Attached Files

•  Rainbow Patagonia ©Frank Kee 8.2010 (Small).jpg   57.16K   81 downloads

Edited by fkee, 28 March 2012 - 08:55 PM.

[Kirk]

Welcome to the Escapee forums! I hope that you will become a frequent contributor.

I believe that the place is Patagonia-Sonita Creek Preserve. If so it is land that is owned by the Arizona Dept. of Transportation and is managed by the Nature Conservancy.

Be EXTREMELY CAREFUL when visiting this site as it is Arizona Department of Transportation property and traffic can be heavy at times. Visibility is limited so be very cautious. Do not cross any fences.

[Liberty]

That is a teriffic area, we have spent a fair bit of time in the Sierra Vista area and have day tripped Patagonia to several times. Enjoy the stores and eateries. Mild weather when one thinks of AZ weather.

[nana25k]

Here is the info I found.

Southeastern Arizona Birding

Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve is the centerpiece of Santa Cruz County's birding hot spots. This sanctuary, owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, is one of the best birding spots in the Southwest.

this sounds like a very interesting place to volunteer

[fkee]

Welcome to the Escapee forums! I hope that you will become a frequent contributor.

I believe that the place is Patagonia-Sonita Creek Preserve. If so it is land that is owned by the Arizona Dept. of Transportation and is managed by the Nature Conservancy.

Hi nothing to do with AZ Dept of Transportation. On a dirt road no traffic, owned privately by TNC. -Frank

[Dugggg]

Correct. It is the Patagonia Roadside Rest, four miles south of Patagonia on AZ highway 82, that has the heavy traffic and is owned by AZDOT.

In contrast, the Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve is both operated and owned by TNC. It is located on a dirt road with little traffic, 1.5 miles west of Patagonia.

[Kirk]

Either way, it sounds like a nice place. Is there a link to their website?

[AC7880]

Link within OPs post goes to their blog on the place, and the blog contains multiple links to information on the reserve.

Either way, it sounds like a nice place. Is there a link to their website?

[2gypsies]

Visited there many times. It's probably the prettiest area in Arizona - absolutely gorgeous. Wish we were available at the present.

[luvglass]

Been there many times. That whole area is among the finest birding areas in the country. It is on a seldom traveled dirt road about a mile or so from town.

[AC7880]

We are the current on site hosts for Patagonia-Sonita Creek Preserve.

Our last few blogs are primarily about our experience here.


Dan and Sandy
http://2toomanycats.blogspot.com/

[Jack Mayer]

Nice place. We will get there one day.....

[AC7880]

We are still (the only) on site hosts for Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, Nature Conservancy, Patagonia AZ, 20 miles north of Nogales AZ. Our yard is now 312 acres.

New travel blog posted: http://2toomanycats.blogspot.com/

[Dobie Lover]

We are still (the only) on site hosts for Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, Nature Conservancy, Patagonia AZ, 20 miles north of Nogales AZ. Our yard is now 312 acres.

New travel blog posted: http://2toomanycats.blogspot.com/

Great pictures on your blog!

Dobie Lover

[Trusty_2010]

I second Dobie's comment - your nature photos are really great and I loved the story of the mama deer and her rambunctious youngster!

[AC7880]

Thanks for the comments. I just uploaded a few short video clips onto youtube that I shot here on the Preserve. We are thinking of occasionaly incorporating some video into our blog.

This should link to the video clips:
http://www.youtube.com/user/AC7880

[bobsea43]

We are in AZ now and would like to stay longer. Is there still a need for volunteers after 21 Feb? Please advise, we are interested.

[AC7880]

Private message sent with contact info.

We are in AZ now and would like to stay longer. Is there still a need for volunteers after 21 Feb? Please advise, we are interested.

[AC7880]

Western Screech Owl:


Stretching:


Goes in his "house":


Other videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/AC7880

Edited by AC7880, 30 January 2012 - 05:43 PM.

[AC7880]

Sandy and I have firmed up our departure date from Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve - 11 March 2012. We will spend a week or two at Saguro SKP park in Benson AZ, check out Yuma AZ SKP park, head to Pahrump NV SKP park, then Sutherlin OR SKP park. After that family visits in Spokane WA, Wenatchee WA, then to the WA coast line. We will do Thousand Tails campgrounds down the WA and OR coast line thru summer and fall. Next winter is TBD.

Fellow SKPs and some fine folks Sandy and I met in Key West FL at Sigsbee NAS then again at Patrick AFB FL famcamps will flow in to replace us here at the wildlife preserve. We will overlap a short time for training and to catch up with events.