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You Make a
Difference! |
Each
spring we launch our annual membership campaign. Thanks so much for
your support! We urge you to continue your membership in 2009/2010
by returning the renewal form enclosed in the May newsletter, or click here to DONATE NOW.
You can make a secure online donation by credit card, or print a mail-in
contribution form.
Because of your support and that of our
partner, the BLM, we've accomplished much to save the Empire Ranch
historic structures. We
have much more to do, and need your help! A 2008 structural and seismic
assessment report has provided a blueprint for preservation work to come,
including preservation work by specialists and by our growing corps of
volunteers. (Click here to see a cumulative list
of preservation projects completed or scheduled since 2000.) |

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The reputation of our education programs is outstanding. Our well attended
annual Roundup & Open House public event, our Legacy Day onsite
program in cooperation with local area schools, and our outdoor summer
camp Wild About the Grasslands! interpret the ranch and our
historical ranching legacy for visitors, youth, and the community.
And with your help we can continue and do more.
Your membership is more important than ever! Please contribute as
generously as you can. Thank you so much!
Click
here to make your contribution now. |
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WATG! 2009 Summer Camp,
June 8-12 |
The Wild about the Grasslands! (WATG!) Summer
Camp is the
Empire Ranch Foundation's widely applauded ranching heritage and ecology
day camp for youngsters, Grades 6 - 8. It brings middle school
students outdoors for one fun-filled week of authentic, meaningful
educational experiences that foster real connections to our ranching
history, nature, and stewardship.
Click here for more information! |
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WATG! 2009 Summer
Youth Program To Benefit from Key Foundation Grants |
| The Foundation's 2009 "Wild about
the Grasslands!" (WATG!) summer camp activities will be
enhanced this year thanks to three generous education grants from
the following local charitable foundations: |
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Fred W. Stang Foundation -- $5,000
grant to support stipends for WATG! educators and
assistants who engage middle-school students in WATG! hands-on
outdoor experiences and learning activities.
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Patagonia Regional Community Foundation
-- $2,800 grant to publish outdoor discovery field journals and
companion guides encouraging youngsters to record and remember their
outdoor experiences.
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 | Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC)
Foundation -- $3,900 grant to support WATG! student projects
to create interpretive wayside signs and to expand GPS and
geocaching activities and involve local teenagers as camp coaches. |
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We are enormously grateful for and honored
by this important financial support. |
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Landmark NLCS
Legislation Signed |
| On March 30, President Obama signed the
Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009. The act includes
provisions that establish under law the 26-million-acre National Landscape
Conservation System (NLCS) within the BLM, thus providing permanent
protections to Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, home of the Empire
Ranch Headquarters. |
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ERF's
"Western Shindig" Honors Northern Trust and Marion Hyland
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It was an event to remember as more than 120 guests
"saddled up" to attend ERF's Western Shindig on March 7 at the
Mountain Oyster Club in Tucson. It didn't take long before guests
crowded the dance floor, two-steppin' to lively western serenades, while
other enjoyed quickdraw artists demonstrations.
ERF president Alison Bunting presented the
Foundation's "Top Hand" awards to Northern Trust for their
longtime support of the Empire 100 Western Art Show & Sale and to
Marion Hyland, for her vision in founding the art show nine years ago.
Following delectable grub, spirited live auctions
and a hot 50/50 raffle, guests left with personal memories in hand
-- complimentary western portrait photographs.
Sincere thanks to our honorees and to event
planners and volunteers. |

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Donaldson
Legacy |
The Foundation bids a fond farewell to the
Donaldson family members as ranchers on the Empire. They discontinued
their 34-year ranching operations at the Empire Ranch in March 2009.
In 1975, when Anamax Mining Corporation purchased
the Empire Ranch, the entered into a ranching lease agreement with John
Donaldson. In 1978 John's son Mac and his wife Billie partnered with
John; the partnership later expanded to include their son Sam. In addition
to their ranching stewardship of Empire Ranch lands, all family members
have contributed countless hours as ERF volunteers. |
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SAVE THE
DATE!
Empire Ranch 2009 Roundup & Open House Scheduled for Saturday, October
24, 2009 -- 10am to 4 pm |
| Public welcome! Click
here for more information |
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Latest Newsletter
The latest issue of the Empire
Ranch Foundation News contains more information and detail on our activities. Click below to download a
copy (requires Acrobat Reader; 4 page document in .pdf
file format). Second link provides access to articles in current and past
newsletters.
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Current
Working Calendar
MAY
6
"Legacy Day at the Empire Ranch" -- Day long educational
event for area middle school students. Empire Ranch
Headquarters
16 ERF Board Meeting, 9am-Noon, Empire Ranch Headquarters
16
ERF Advisory Committee Annual Meeting, 12:30-3:30pm, Empire Ranch
Headquarters
JUNE
8-12
"Wild About the Grasslands!" -- Summer camp for middle
school students, Empire Ranch Headquarters. More
information
20 Volunteer Work Day, 8am-Noon, Empire Ranch Headquarters (to volunteer,
please call (888) 364-2829)
JULY
18
ERF Board Meeting, 9am-Noon, Empire Ranch Headquarters
AUGUST
15
Volunteer Work Day, 8am-Noon, Empire Ranch Headquarters (to volunteer,
please call (888) 364-2829)
SEPTEMBER
19
ERF Board Meeting, 9am-Noon, Empire Ranch Headquarters
OCTOBER
17
Volunteer Work Day, 8am-Noon, Empire Ranch Headquarters (to volunteer,
please call (888) 364-2829)
24
"2009 Empire Ranch Roundup & Open House, 10am-4pm, Empire Ranch
Headquarters. Public invited. More
information
ONGOING
* Volunteers needed for special events, preservation projects, other
Foundation activities
(Please contact admin@empireranchfoundation.org
or call (888) 364-2829)
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