The RIESTER Foundation continues to support the Audubon Society’s Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch in Southern Arizona. The ranch works to protect the semi-arid grasslands through restoring native habitat needed for local wildlife.

We received the following from Linda Kennedy, the director of the ranch:

“I wish to thank you again for your continued and generous support of the mission of the Research Ranch. The financial assistance you have provided has greatly enhanced our effort to reclaim a floodplain dominated by non-native grass by transplanting native Sacaton. The Bermudagrass that is growing on this floodplain is shallow rooted, so the floodplain is subject to undercutting by flood events. The deeper rooted Sacaton (15-20’) will provide much more stability to the floodplain and reduce erosion significantly. In addition, the Sacaton is much better habitat for native animals including Montezuma Quail, javelina, and Arizona Cotton Rat (considered a species of special concern by Arizona Game and Fish Department).”

Learn more from this detailed annual report from Appleton-Whittell.