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Buenos Aires
National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 109
Sasabe, AZ   85633
E-mail:
Phone Number: (520) 823-4251
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://southwest.fws.gov/refuges/arizona/buenosaires/
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  Overview
Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge is a place where you can enjoy a landscape like few others - where sparrows flock in winter, antelope play, and the valley bottom is once again the sea of grass that greeted early settlers. Additions to the refuge since 1985 protect valuable wetland and riparian habitats at Arivaca Creek, Arivaca Cienega, and Brown Canyon. This combination of grasslands, wetlands, cottonwood-lined streambeds, and sycamore and live oak mountain canyons preserve some of the southwest's rarest habitats used by seven endangered species, ten species of concern, and many other native pants and wildlife.


Getting There . . .
To Refuge Headquarters: Take Highway 86 (Ajo Way) west from Tucson to Three Points. Turn south on Highway 286. Proceed south for 35 miles to mile post 7.5. Turn east and follow signs to Refuge Headquarters. To Trailheads near Arivaca: Take I-19 south from Tucson to the Amado/Arivaca exit. Exit west, turn right at the T, and then left at the Cow Palace onto Arivaca Road. Proceed west for 20 miles to Arivaca. Trails are located both east and west of town.

Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address:

Your full starting address AND town and state OR zip code


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These driving directions are provided as a general guide only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness. User assumes all risk of use.

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Wildlife and Habitat
Over 320 species of birds have been recorded at Buenos Aires NWR. Pronghorn, mule deer, coyote, and javelina are some of the mammals frequently seen along refuge roads. Mountain lion, coatimundi, ring-tailed cats, and badger are present, but more secretive. Desert tortoise and gila monsters thrive a short distance from water-dependant amphibians and a myriad of cactus grow within a stone's throw of watercress. In addition to the masked bobwhite quail, Buenos Aires NWR protects habitat for six other endandered species - ferruginous pygmy owl, Pima pineapple cactus, Kearney bluestar, peregrine falcon, southwest willow flycatcher, and razorback sucker.

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    Recreation and Education Opportunities
Environmental Education
Hunting
Interpretation
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Managment Activities

Re-establishing a U.S. breeding population of masked bobwhite quail is a priority at Buenos Aires NWR. Service employees work with ranchers in Mexico to restore the grasslands where the last wild birds are found.

One tool used to restore the native grassland is controlled burning. This helps slow the invasion of mesquite and revitalizes the soil. As the system recovers, the grasses, shrubs, flowers, insects, and animals of the Sonoran grassland will benefit.