Thank you for your interest in the Brown Canyon Environmental Education Center at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. The following information will help you prepare for your stay. For questions or more information, please call Bonnie Swarbrick at 520/823-4251 ext. 106.

Accommodations
The Center has sleeping accommodations for 14, in rooms with one to three beds. There are four bathrooms.

Arrival
Please plan your travel so you arrive at the time prearranged with refuge staff. Please do not plan to arrive later than 3p.m.You will be greeted at the cattle guard between mile markers 20 and 21 just off Highway 286.

What to bring: Groups
-Food for your group for each meal and each day you are at the Center, including condiments.
-Plates and silverware are provided.
-Bring your own coolers since refrigerator space is limited.
-You are responsible for preparing your own meals and the cleanup afterward.

What to bring: Personal
-Sleeping bag or linens for twin beds.
-Washcloth, towel & soap.
-Flashlight.
-Water bottle, daypack & sunscreen.
-Binoculars, camera, film, field guides.
-Personal items or special foods. 

-Keep in mind that refrigerator space is limited.

What to wear
At 4,100 feet elevation, Brown Canyon days are generally warm with cool evenings. Dressing in layers will provide the most flexibility. Include a hat for outdoor sun protection and wear sturdy shoes.

While you are in the canyon
You are expected to use the Ed Center to enhance your educational objectives.

Please recycle and conserve
The Brown Canyon Environmental Education Center was formerly a classic western lodge constructed in the early to mid-twentieth century owned by ranchers and property owners. When the refuge acquired it in the late 1990s it was transformed into a learning facility. The facility now runs on solar power and uses a water holding tank filled slowly by a solar well. Please remember to be conservative with your energy and water use. Unlike city living, this historic facility is limited in its abundance of these resources. We ask that you refrain from high power use items such as blow driers and curling irons. We thank you for your cooperation and conservation efforts.

Practice quiet observation to minimize disturbance to birds, wildlife and others.

Cleaning
We are pleased to welcome you and your group overnight in the Education Center. This is a special place with rustic accommodations requiring consistent attention to maintenance.
To insure that the Center is ready for the next group, we appreciate you cleaning prior to your departure. Cleaning supplies and equipment are provided. 

Please Remember to:
-Take all trash with you when you leave. There is no trash pickup in Brown Canyon. There is a trash disposal site just South of mile marker 12 on highway 286. There is another just before you reach the town of Arivaca on the North side of the road.

-Vacuum and Sweep: Vacuum the upstairs carpet and sweep the wood floor. Sweep the lower level and damp-mop with a mixture of water and vinegar.
-Dust the furniture, including the dining room table and chairs.
-Arrange the downstairs furniture.
-Clean all bathroom sinks, fixtures, and mirrors.
-Clean the kitchen, including the stoves and sink. Wipe down the counters and cabinets. Wash and put away all dishes.
-Remove the ashes from the fireplace.

The following are prohibited: 

• Littering. Remember to pack in and pack out.
• Collecting rocks, plants, insects, bones, artifacts, etc.
• Smoking in buildings or on the trails.
• Alcohol or drugs.
• Firearms.