NATURE SANCTUARY

A UNIQUE  ECOLOGICAL & CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE!

Vincent Pinto has been a passionate and dedicated Conservationist since the mid 1980’s – committed to Environmental Education and Earth Stewardship in the ecologically rich Sky Islands region of southeast Arizona.  Via his Ravens-Way Wild Journeys LLC Vincent’s hands-on and action-oriented Mission to help preserve the area’s unique biodiversity began in 1987 at Raven’s Mountain Nature Sanctuary .

Since March 18, 2008 Vincent and his wife, Claudia, have focused on preserving the unique biodiversity at their 42-acre Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary.  In homage to the land’s strategic location their unwavering goal has been its Ecological Restoration.  Their efforts have greatly benefitted the preserve’s varied habitats, while helping to conserve water in one of the world’s most vital biodiversity hotspots.  Vincent’s knowledge – born from decades of hands-on field experience as a wildlife biologist and naturalist – is reflected in every direct action taken at Raven’s Nest.  While anyone can put a sign up and proclaim a “nature sanctuary”, over the years the transformation of the land at Raven’s Nest from consistent earth stewardship has been profound, giving true meaning to the term. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO  SKY ISLANDS BIODIVERSITY

 

Given the continued diminishment of biodiversity across the planet, Raven’s Nest serves several purposes:

     I. The ecological restoration at the preserve has allowed it to serve as an important puzzle piece in the larger continuum of protected natural areas in the central Sky Islands region of southeast Arizona.  Tucked into scenic rolling hills, Raven’s Nest is a stepping stone between the Patagonia Mountains to the south and the Santa Rita Mountains to the north.  Further, the nearly 10,000 acres of protected land in Sonoita Creek State Natural Area are a short walk from Raven’s Nest.  The juxtaposition of these key wild area’s to the preserve allow a myriad of species to travel through this extensive wildlife corridor.  The proof of this at Raven’s Nest has been the preserve’s highly varied species list over the years.  A diverse lineup of wildlife has utilized the sanctuary, including: Mountain Lion, Elegant Trogon, Gray Hawk, Sonoran Desert Toad, Gopher Snake, Ornate Box Turtle, Golden Eagle, Elf (a locally rare butterfly), Gila Monster, Common Gray Fox, Ringtail, Varied Bunting, and many more.

    II. Equally as important, Raven’s Nest serves as a template for other local landowners, demonstrating to them the many conservation opportunities and tools they have at their disposal.  The preserve’s rainwater harvesting features highlight the need to safeguard our water supplies for both species and future generations.  The native landscaping sheds light upon the need for ecological restoration of various habitats in the Sky Islands region.  Our 6 miles Nature Trails call forth people to explore the land, getting to know its ecology and specific needs.  The preserve’s small Organic Orchard and Organic Gardens entreat visitors to sustainably grow some of their own food in harmony with the land.  The preserve’s Sky Islands Safari Camp beckons them to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the land, casting aside the ongoing demands of life while putting Nature first.  Finally, the Sky Islands Discovery Center is a reminder to all of the need to continue to educate ourselves about the crucial role that biodiversity plays in a healthy planet.

Thus, anyone who visits Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary bears witness to the countless ecological restoration efforts that have gone into transforming the land back to its natural state.  Vincent has traveled extensively throughout the Sky Islands in a broad range of habitats, searching for comparables to Raven’s Nest.  Using the ecological lens that he always applies, he has noted the health or often the lack of it in various private and public lands.  Using this litmus test, he discovered that the “ecological report card” for Raven’s Nest is indeed a stellar one!  Far too often Vincent has witnessed both public and private lands that proclaim to be preserves actually abusing the land through overgrazing, nonnative plantings, Over-development with infrastructure, failure to remove nonnative plants, overly feeding birds and spreading disease, decimating the vegetation for hobby horses, unregulated use of off-road vehicles, unnaturally altering arroyos and other waterways, etc…  Thus, Raven’s Nest stands as a key conservation template, where the words “sanctuary” and “preserve” have real meaning. 

 

   

RAIN WATER HARVESTING SYSTEM

From day one, the ecological strategy at Raven’s Nest had multiple critical facets. A key priority upon arrival on March 18, 2008 was to install a large-capacity Rainwater Harvesting System on the lower part of the preserve.   Determined to collect the first rain, and knowing that there were only 3 months before the start of the Monsoon season, the hard work began in earnest. The main objective was to collect water from the 2,000-square-foot metal roof atop the Sky Islands Discovery Center, piping it underground all the way to “Dragon Pond” which was created for the system.  From the pond rainwater is then pumped into the cisterns to be stored and used.  

The hard work and substantial investment has paid great dividends.  The water stored in the two 10,000-gallon metal cisterns is cycled back to native landscaping and various Wildlife Ponds, helping to support biodiversity.  Countless species have benefitted from this water conservation initiative over the years.  Warblers, tanagers, orioles, and many other migrating birds use the native landscaping as a waystation en route to their breeding or wintering grounds.  Breeding birds at the preserve gain crucial calories and build nests in restored habitats.  Wintering birds flock to Raven’s Nest, filling its woodlands, fields, arroyos, and canyons with life each year as they bide their time until spring migration.  All of these bird species both drink and bath at our wildlife ponds, which also host native riparian plants such as sedges, willows, and duckweed.  

Various native aquatic species, such as damselflies and dragonflies, thrive in the Wildlife Ponds – part of a thriving underwater ecosystem in miniature.  Sonoran Desert Toads and Mexican Spadefoots breed in the ponds, adding their amorous choruses during monsoon season.  A plethora of other native wildlife species visit both the ponds and the native landscaping for their survival needs – all courtesy of the Rainwater Harvesting System.

 

GREEN BUILDING PRINCIPLES AT RAVEN’S NEST

Since their arrival in March 2008, Claudia and Vincent committed to only Green Building Projects in select areas of the Nature Sanctuary .  Claudia designed every new porject to be both environmentally responsible and resource-efficient.  She ensured that each project’s siting, design, construction, and maintenance were all in accordance with the land.  Meanwhile, Vincent served as an Environmental & Conservation Consultant, ensuring the protection of native habitat.  Together, they were determined to preserve every single tree and shrub in each project area.  This led to Claudia’s designs contouring around native species, while building in open areas largely dominated by nonnative plants.  As a result, the various structures have not only had the least impact on the land but have actually benefitted it.  Velvet Mesquite, Catclaw Acacia, Alligator Juniper, Scrub Oak and other native trees have thrived in part owing to the shade, wind protection, and water shed from the roofs of different buildings.  In turn, the native landscaping has drawn in a wide range of wildlife, captivating many human visitors.

Highlights of our Green Building Projects include:

• Sky Islands Safari Camp

• Rainwater Harvesting Systems

• Sky Islands Discovery Center

• While designing all the new infrastructure, Claudia carefully chose only Eco-friendly and sustainable resilient materials – rock, flagstone, recycled metal, reclaimed wood, clay, straw, grasses – to build with local artisans who implemented her custom designs

• To further conserve water, every sink and shower at Safari Camp and Main Camp was built following Graywater System principles.  Used water benefits native plants, which in turn support biodiversity and even food production in our Organic Orchards & Organic Edible Gardens

• 6 State-of-the-art stainless steel Incinerator Toilets

• Energy-efficient Fans in lieu of energy consumptive air-conditioning

• Energy-efficient Portable Heaters 

• Energy-efficient lighting throughout Raven’s Nest

• Passive Rainwater Harvesting via earthen structures and swales in project areas

• Closed vehicular access to the Sky Islands Discovery Center, where roads are replaced with native habitat

ECO-BATHROOMS TO BENEFIT NATURE 

VIA GRAYWATER SYSTEMS

Passionate about water conservation, Claudia & Vincent committed to a Graywater System, reusing the water from all the indoor and outdoor showers and sinks.  The spent water benefits the surrounding trees, other plants, and landscape at large at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary

• Only Graywater Sinks and Showers at the Sky Islands Safari Camp
• 4 hot indoor Graywater showers at Nighthawk Nook 
• 6 Graywater Sinks at Main Camp
• 1 Graywater Sink in the Organci Orchard and Organic Gardens