Research

Landsward conducts a wide variety of scientific research and monitoring that relates to natural resources, their use and management.

This research includes investigations focused on:
 

•  Ecological processes within the context of climate change

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•  Invasive species and contaminants

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•  Forest vegetation and grassland health

 

•  Habitat loss and fragmentation

 

•  Wildlife ecology

 

•  Renewable energy generation and transmission

 

•  Mining

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•  Recreation

Landsward is particularly interested in the maintenance of wildlife and plant populations in the context of climate change and diverse land use. Species of interest to Landsward include the golden eagle, American pronghorn, endangered black-footed ferret, Gunnison's prairie dog, ferruginous hawk and endangered Fickeisen plains cactus. Landsward provides guidelines for managing and monitoring these species, as well as conservation objectives and strategies. Landsward also monitors the natural and cultural resource qualities of the Coconino Plateau region and Little Colorado River Valley, including the geology, soils, hydrology and archaeology.

These efforts are supported through many established field sites within Babbitt Ranches, including:

 

•  40,000-acre Cataract Conservation Easement.

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•  SP Crater Golden Eagle Conservation Complex.

 

•  Three Landsward-supported NAU biological research field stations: Blue Chute, Black Point and Little Colorado River Valley.

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•  Wild Bill Ranch Camp Ecological Site in the Coconino National Forest.

 

•  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Climate Research Network (CRN) data collection station on the Cataract Ranch.

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•  First live-tracking technology site for monitoring golden eagle activity in a conservation setting (pending).

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•  International Dark Sky Sanctuary status (pending).

Research partners include local, state and federal government agencies,
agricultural and conservation organizations, universities and institutes.