Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary

Welcome to Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary – our second Sky Islands Nature Sanctuary!

BIODIVERSITY IN THE HEART OF THE SKY ISLANDS

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Situated in the heart of Arizona’s spectacular Sky Islands, Raven’s Nest is a private, 42-acre Nature Sanctuary where you can experience world-class biodiversity. It is a Naturalist’s paradise!  Located by 9,500 acres of pristine and remote wilderness, Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary is set in scenic rolling hills tucked between the soaring Santa Rita and lush Patagonia Mountains.  Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary is only 75 minutes south of Tucson International Airport and about 3 hours from Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. Reaching Raven’s Nest is not only easy, it also ends with a gorgeous scenic drive through spectacular wild areas as far as your eyes can see!

Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary enjoys a very strategic location surrounded by pristine wilderness.  A very short walk from us is Sonoita Creek State Natural Area with 9,500 wild acres to explore.  Adjoining the Natural Area, Patagonia Lake State Park presents great birding and lies a mere 4 minute drive.

The beautiful land at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary consists of 5 diverse and intriguing habitats:

  1. An extensive Mesquite and Acacia Woodland or Bosque  – in the lower secluded woodlands
  2.  Arroyos – dry creek beds –  winding throughout the Nature Preserve
  3. Grasslands  – above providing great habitat for wildlife
  4. Ocotillo Forest  – above providing sweeping vistas of the preserve and nearby Sky Island mountains
  5. Deep Canyons  – adding an air of mystery to Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary and afford maximum privacy as you explore ~ 6 miles of expansive and well-groomed Nature Trails.  Fortunately, the gorgeous topography at Raven’s Nest  lends itself to buffering our Nature Sanctuary from neighboring properties.

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Since their arrival in March 2008, Vincent and Claudia have been passionately committed to Earth Stewardship via a very hands-on land management strategy aimed at rebuilding both the various habitats throughout the 42-acres and the diverse ecosystem structure and function.  From day one, the clear and focused objective has been to create self-sustaining and resilient natural environments for generations to come.  As a professional Ethnobotanist, Wildlife Biologist, Naturalist and Sky Islands Conservationist since 1987,  Vincent designed – and implements to this day –  a very succesful Restoration & Conservation Strategy that includes:

The ongoing Earth Stewardship since 2008,  along with the active, hands-on and relentless Ecological Restoration & Conservation Strategies have led to a very rewarding proliferation of wildlife populations at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary that is fascinating to both identify and observe.   As a result, the beautiful land supports a very impressive level of biodiversity – a subset of the species present in the Sky Islands as a whole.  The Woodlands and Grasslands boast a diverse flora, including many edible and otherwise useful species, attracting a broad spectrum of wildlife.  Some of these are tropical plants that barely enter the U.S.  For example, nectar-feeding Bats are drawn to the sweet blooms of Palmer Agave, while Collared Peccaries dine upon Prickly Pear pads and fruit.  Meanwhile a variety of Hummingbirds investigate colorful wildflowers in search of a quick meal. Gorgeous seasonal wildflowers punctuate late Winter/early Spring as well as Summer/Autumn, adding color to an already stunning landscape.

Since March 2008 we have recorded 170 bird species at our Nature Sanctuary, exclusive of many other species found at Patagonia Lake and Sonoita Creek State Natural Area – both a mere 4 minute drive from Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary.  Those 2 areas have recorded 315 species of birds over the years – about 1/3 of all the birds ever documented in the U.S.! Many of these species are at or near the northern terminus of their range, thus providing a tropical air to your stay!  Some Bird highlights at Raven’s Nest include:

  • Golden Eagle
  • Osprey
  • Gray Hawk
  • Zone-tailed Hawk
  • Swainson’s Hawk
  • Black-bellied Whistling Duck
  • Montezuma Quail
  • Broad-billed Hummingbird
  • Violet-crowned Hummingbird
  • Costa’s Hummingbird & 4 other species of Hummingbirds
  • Elegant Trogon
  • Elf Owl
  • Lesser Nighthawk
  • Greater Roadrunner
  • Yellow-billed Cuckoo
  • Inca Dove
  • Gila Woodpecker
  • Red-naped Sapsucker
  • Ladder-backed Woodpecker
  • Northern Beardless Tyrannulet
  • Dusky-capped Flycatcher
  • Brown-crested Flycatcher
  • Vermillion Flycatcher
  • Bell’s Vireo
  • Verdin
  • Bridled Titmouse
  • Rock Wren
  • Crissal Thrasher
  • Phainopepla
  • Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
  • 11 species of Warblers, incl. nesting Lucy’s Warbler
  • Botteri’s Sparrow & 18 other species of Sparrows & Towhees
  • Pyrrhuloxia
  • Blue Grosbeak
  • Varied Bunting
  • Lazuli Bunting
  • Bronzed Cowbird
  • Pine Siskin
  • Lawrence’s Goldfinch
  • Cassin’s Finch

To download a detailed Raven’s Nest Bird List, please click: RAVEN’S NEST BIRD LIST

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Equally impressive are our Mammals, which include:

  • Mountain Lion
  • Bobcat
  • American Badger
  • Coyote
  • Gray Fox
  • 4 species of Skunks
  • White-nosed Coati
  • Ringtail
  • Northern Raccoon
  • Virginia Opossum
  • Coues Whitetail Deer
  • Mule Deer
  • Collared Peccary
  • Antelope Jackrabbit
  • Desert Cottontail
  • Rock Squirrel
  • Merriam’s Kangaroo Rat
  • Southern Grasshopper Mouse – a predatory species that eats other Mice!
  • Desert Shrew
  • Mexican Long-tongued Bat & Lesser-long-nosed Bat – nectar-feeding species
  • …..and a diversity of smaller species – many more typical of Mexico.

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Birds and Mammals are joined by some of the most exciting Reptile and Amphibian species found in North America. Huge Sonoran Toads – common residents – are the largest Toad species in the U.S. and lumber about with impunity at night given their highly toxic skin. Gila Monsters, though reclusive, are an exciting find in summer, as are several species of Rattlesnake (don’t worry, they don’t want to bite you!), Sonoran Coral Snakes, and many non-venomous species.  Here are some of the species resident at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary:

  • Sonoran Toad
  • Red-spotted Toad
  • Great Plains Narrow-mouthed Toad
  • Mexican Spadefoot
  • Ornate Box Turtle
  • Western Banded Gecko
  • Elegant Earless Lizard
  • Greater Earless Lizard
  • Clark’s Spiny Lizard
  • Ornate Tree lizard
  • Regal Horned Lizard
  • Great Plains Skink
  • Sonoran Spotted Whiptail
  • Madrean Alligator Lizard
  • Gila Monster
  • Coachwhip
  • Sonoran Whipsnake
  • Mountain Patch-nosed Snake
  • Gopher Snake
  • Long-nosed Snake
  • Common Kingsnake
  • Black-necked Garter Snake
  • Sonoran Coral Snake
  • Nightsnake
  • Western Lyre Snake
  • Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
  • Black-tailed Rattlesnake

Ornate Box Turtles wander amidst the lushness of monsoon season, while a diverse assemblage of Lizards will tempt you into closer viewing. One species of Whiptail Lizard here amazingly consists only of females!

Invertebrates at our Nature Sanctuary are legion, yet we’re almost entirely lacking in biting flies or mosquitos! We do have flies – Robber Flies – that eat Paper Wasps, Wasps that consume Tarantulas, and Tarantulas that can eat Lizards… you get the idea! We encourage a deep appreciation of all species great and small at our Nature Sanctuary. Each has a vital role to play in our ecosystem.  Invertebrates, for example, often help support the larger “flashier” species of wildlife – either directly as food or as plant pollinators.

   

On August 28, 2016  a Butterfly Survey conducted within Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary recorded 47 species.  Enjoy the Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary Butterfly List.   Many additional species may be found at our Nature Preserve given that our ongoing Ecological Restoration Strategy   includes planting very broad and diverse Native Species to build resilient plant communities and create sustainable habitats to attract and host wildlife.

Thus, since his arrival in March 2008, Vincent has planted hundreds of native plants that support our Butterfly diversity, as well as provide attractive habitat for – over 133 species – that are included on the Butterfly lists for nearby Sonoita Creek State Natural Area & Patagonia Lake State Park.

A UNIQUE ECO-LODGE EXPERIENCE

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Set amidst the resplendent beauty of Nature, all the beautiful Eco-Lodge facilities at our Nature Sanctuary are designed following Green Building Principles. Thus, every project and new structure that Claudia designed are both environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout, with two main objectives. First, to first benefit the land and all the amazing wildlife that inhabit Raven’s Nest.  Second, to maximize the opportunities for relaxation, learning, and exploration.  Whether you take a Sky Islands Nature Adventure with us or come along on a Birding & Biodiversity Tour,  we always want for you to be comfortable and enjoy the amazing luxuries afforded at our unique Sky Islands Safari Camp.

We strive to provide very unique wilderness experiences, exciting Sky Islands Nature Adventures and attention to detail Events with a very unexpected level of luxury at our remote Sky Islands Nature Sanctuary  during our very diverse seasons  – including our stunning  Monsoon season!

Guests from all over the world always praise the fact that we exceeded their expectations, as they find Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary to be a wonderfully wild, beautiful, luxurious, and a very unique place to immerse and learn about the renowned Sky Islands Biodiversity!

In addition, guests also delight to experience first-hand the breath-taking results from our relentless Green Living Practices and Conservation Strategies at our Nature Sanctuary.  We are passionate about striving daily balance in protecting the unique Sky Islands Biodiversity, protecting key natural resources, creating sustainable habitats and resilient ecosystems.

Water efficiency and reuse is one of our key Conservation Strategies at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary.  Thus, we designed an efficient Graywater System throughout to redirect Graywater from all the showers and sinks into an effective Irrigation System that benefits all the neighboring trees, plants, Wildlife Ponds and landscaping.  

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A powerful example of the awesome benefit of installing – a Graywater System working in tandem with an Irrigation System – is showcased at the Nighthawk Nook built to house 4 indoor showers which have transformed the landscape around the Sky Islands Discovery Center .

Another key Conservation pillar is our passionate commitment to only Green-Building Projects:

Since March 2008, the breathtaking rehabilitation of Native Habitats  and the remarkable Ecological Restoration at our Nature Sanctuary has been possible due to our multi-faceted Conservation Strategy that includes:

At Ravens-Way Wild Journeys LLC we strive to raise awareness via experiential education, always helping you to better understand and protect our amazing Sky Islands biodiversity and fragile natural resources. Therefore common themes woven into our Eco-Lodge are our Earth Stewardship and Green Living Practices.

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During your time at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary you will enjoy:

SKY ISLANDS DISCOVERY CENTER

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Welcome to our 2000 sq. ft. Sky Islands Discovery Center – full of educational and informative Natural History and Wilderness Survival displays.  Wildlife Biologist, Naturalist and Ethnobotanist Vincent Pinto has created a hands-on museum, highlighting the amazing biodiversity of the Sky Islands. Devoted to the detailed interpretation and conservation of our incomparable Sky Islands Ecoregion, it provides fascinating self-guiding Nature information showcasing the unique biodiversity of the Sky Islands. No matter how many times you wander the Discovery Center, you always learn new and fascinating facts about Sky Islands flora and fauna!

   

Over the years we have developed very solid and rewarding Education Partnerships with several American, Canadian, and international Universities, Colleges,  International Organizations, and Outdoor Schools – including NOLS, the National Outdoor Leadership School – among many others.

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Your time at Raven’s Nest will be enhanced by the songs of countless birds, the haunting call of a Gray Hawk, the raucous cacophony of cavorting Ravens, the iconic songs of the howling Coyotes at dawn and dusk, the hooting of our resident Great Horned Owls, and other amazing wild sights and sounds at our Nature Sanctuary.

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For Nature lovers, birders, and photographers alike our Bird Blind is strategically located by a wildlife pond fed by our Rain Water Harvesting system.  There you can relax and wait for the arrival of numerous bird species, Collared Peccaries (Javelina), lizards, and other wildlife. This charming site also has photos of our resident and migrant species as well as our Bird & Wildlife Lists, which can guide and inspire you in your quest to see and enjoy wildlife.

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Our marked and groomed Nature Trail System provides ~6 miles of walking trails with a diverse range of difficulty at our Nature Sanctuary.