Wildlife managers and researchers from across the country gathered in Flagstaff last month for the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) conference to discuss deer and elk movement and the latest technology being used to track the ungulates as projects are planned for land uses such as public recreation and renewable energy. The conference at Northern Arizona University included a field trip to the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center north of Flagstaff. “There were overwhelmingly … [Read more...] about Managing for Renewable Energy and Wildlife
Billy Cordasco
Construction Underway on Babbitt Ranch Energy Center North of Flagstaff
With a passion to move the state forward with renewable energy while protecting open space, creating jobs, boosting the Northern Arizona economy and planning for generations of Arizonans to come, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, SRP, Babbitt Ranches and the Arizona State Land Department have announced that construction is underway for the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center. The 161-megawatt (MW) wind project, featuring 50 wind turbines across 669 acres on the CO Bar Ranch about 25 miles north of … [Read more...] about Construction Underway on Babbitt Ranch Energy Center North of Flagstaff
Babbitt Ranches Supporting Artemis Missions, Promoting Land-Use Ethic on Other Worlds
On land commonly occupied by Hereford cattle, pronghorn antelope and mule deer, a moon rover prototype cruises at a top speed of eight miles per hour near Black Point Lava Flow. It is here on Babbitt Ranches that NASA, Japan’s space program, JAXA, U.S. Geological Survey scientists, along with engineers and technicians, set up a space camp of sorts. They have been preparing for a series of Artemis Missions to enable human exploration of the moon and Mars. The first, the uncrewed Artemis 1, … [Read more...] about Babbitt Ranches Supporting Artemis Missions, Promoting Land-Use Ethic on Other Worlds
Eaglet Success on Babbitt Ranches Provides Evidence that Conservation Measures Work
Following unprecedented action taken by Babbitt Ranches, the Arizona State Land Department and the Arizona Game and Fish Department to protect a two-mile radius around a golden eagle nest, wildlife biologists report double success. Twin eaglets have been observed by a helicopter crew in what has become known as the SP Crater Golden Eagle Conservation Complex north of Flagstaff. “This is very exciting,” said Kenneth “Tuk” Jacobson, AZGFD raptor management coordinator. “Seeing that the pair … [Read more...] about Eaglet Success on Babbitt Ranches Provides Evidence that Conservation Measures Work
Testing a Smarter Planetary Rover on Babbitt Ranches
Scientists like David Wettergreen and Eldar Noe Dobrea are making robots smarter. Zoë (a Greek word that means “life”) is a planetary rover prototype. As expected with next generations, she and future rover robots will be more intelligent than their predecessors who have journeyed to Mars. On Babbitt Ranches north of Flagstaff, scientists, engineers and geologists have been testing instruments on Zoë that are enabling her to make decisions, explore rocks that catch her attention and actually … [Read more...] about Testing a Smarter Planetary Rover on Babbitt Ranches
Babbitt Ranches Being Inducted into Hall of Fame
Marking 136 years in operation this spring, Babbitt Ranches is being celebrated by the Arizona agricultural community and inducted into the Arizona Farming and Ranching Hall of Fame. “Babbitt Ranches is legendary in Arizona ranching history,” said Historian Janice Bryson, who nominated the pioneering land company. “Their story follows our state’s history from Territorial days to the present. They have been leaders and innovators in conservation on their ranches.” “This acknowledgement of … [Read more...] about Babbitt Ranches Being Inducted into Hall of Fame
Babbitt Ranches Forges Ahead with Clēnera and SRP on Solar Project
CO Bar Solar is gaining energy with the recent purchase power agreement between renewable resources developer Clēnera, owned by Enlight Renewable Energy, and Arizona utility company Salt River Project (SRP). “Where we are today, as we embark on renewable energy endeavors, is truly inspirational for the Babbitt family,” said Babbitt Ranches President and General Manager Billy Cordasco. “We are talking about what matters most for future generations. And, what we have all worked toward is not … [Read more...] about Babbitt Ranches Forges Ahead with Clēnera and SRP on Solar Project
‘Homegrown’ Wind, Solar Energy Project Approved on Babbitt Ranches
Praising Babbitt Ranches for the way the family business manages its operations and citing the Babbitt family’s long-running reputation for land stewardship and conservation practices, the Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a wind and solar project on Babbitt Ranches about 30 miles north of Flagstaff. The action allows NextEra Energy Resources to move forward with the Babbitt Ranch Renewable Energy Center (BREC, pronounced B-REC) across 669 acres of a nearly … [Read more...] about ‘Homegrown’ Wind, Solar Energy Project Approved on Babbitt Ranches
A Return to Tradition
As Babbitt Ranches honors 135 years of operations in Northern Arizona, the Annual Hashknife Colt Sale is scheduled to be live and in-person again at Spider Web Camp, about 30 miles north of Flagstaff off Highway 89, on Saturday, July 10. Arizona’s largest privately owned working cattle ranch was unable to host the popular tradition last year because of the pandemic. Clay Rodgers, 40, who became ranch manager in March, says the Colt Sale is especially meaningful to him because he was born and … [Read more...] about A Return to Tradition
