Southwestern Research Station

Courtesy of L. Paulson

The Southwestern Research Station is a biological field station providing scientists, educators and students from around the world the opportunity to participate in research, workshops and classes in one of the most biologically rich environments in the United States.

Located in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona, the Southwestern Research Station (SWRS) is situated in the heart of the Madrean Sky Island Archipelago stretching from the tropical Sierra Madre Occidental up to the Rocky Mountains. Nearby habitats include an elevational gradient from low desert to alpine meadows, rich riparian areas, and a unique blend of Chihuahuan and Sonoran Desert species.

2024 Courses

2024 Birding and Nature Tours

Call for Proposals - SWRS Graduate Field Research Award

We will be awarding the Southwestern Research Station Graduate Field Research Award again in 2024!

This fund was endowed by an anonymous donor to support field research by graduate students at SWRS. The purpose of this competitive award is to make extensive station-based fieldwork possible for graduate students, recognizing that such fieldwork provides a uniquely immersive opportunity to explore their study system and develop a sense of place.

The recipient receives an award of up to US $5000 to be applied towards covering station fees, research equipment and supplies, and travel expenses. Supported fieldwork must be in the Chiricahuas or neighboring areas. Regional projects including those with components at neighboring field stations within Arizona will be considered, but supported research must be based in part at SWRS.

Graduate Field Research Award Announcement

SWRS Research Application

Environment and Weather

The Southwestern Research Station is located at around 5400 feet elevation in riparian habitat, surrounded by oak-juniper-pinyon pine woodlands. Within a short drive up or down the Chiricahua Mountains, which reach nearly 9800 feet elevation, five life-zones can be encountered: Lower Sonoran, Upper Sonoran, Transition, Canadian, and Hudsonian.

Biogeographically, the Chiricahua Mountains are located at a crossroads between distinct desert and mountain biotas. At lower elevations, species are influenced by both the Sonoran Desert to the west and the Chihuahuan Desert to the south and east. At higher elevations, there is a mixing of plants and animals from the Rocky Mountains, to the north and the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains of Mexico.

The uniqueness and diversity of the biota is well recognized by ornithologists, herpetologists, and entomologists. Cave Creek Canyon is also recognized as one of the top birding localities in the United States.

Visit the local transect network page to access data from our Chiricahua weather stations, including current conditions at SWRS, the top of the mountains (Bootlegger Saddle), the desert (Chiricahua Desert Museum), and Chiricahua National Monument.

Phone:
520-558-2396

Fax:
520-558-2018

Email:
[email protected]

USPS Mailing Address:
Southwestern Research Station
PO Box 16553
Portal, AZ 85632

Deliveries and GPS:
Southwestern Research Station
2003 West Cave Creek Road
Portal, AZ 85632

Director: Geoff Bender

Maintenance: Mark Cooper

Administrative Manager: Steve Paun

Reservations: Marilyn Palomino

Kitchen Supervisor: Juvy McEwan

Cook: Victoria Clancy

Housekeeper: Caitlin Clancy

Nature Store: Ron Kaczor

We operate on Mountain Standard Time. Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Directions

From Interstate 10, exit at Road Forks, New Mexico (Exit No. 5 onto Hwy 80. Note that coming from Tucson you may be routed to Portal via a mostly unpaved route out of San Simon rather than driving on to the Road Forks exit in New Mexico. During wet weather, this route may have low water crossings that could be impassable. The paved highway described below is about 20 miles longer and takes about 10 more minutes but is recommended in adverse conditions.)

Take Hwy 80 south approximately 30 miles to route 533 (if you reach Rodeo, New Mexico, you’ve gone too far and must backtrack 2 miles).
Turn right (west) on route 533 and go approximately 7 miles to Portal, Arizona. You’ll know you’re in Portal when you see Portal Peak Lodge on your left.
Continue up the mountain, staying on pavement, for another five miles (DO NOT take the right fork to Paradise) and then approximately one final mile of dirt road. You’ll see an in-ground reservoir on your left, followed by an expanse of grass and a cluster of buildings.
Immediately after those buildings, you will turn left and cross over a wash.
Just after crossing the wash, make another left through the gates and onto our grounds.
Park in the main parking lot and walk down the dirt road to the first two-story building on your right. The office is downstairs.
If you get lost, please call us at 520-558-2396. Remember, there is no cell phone service near the SWRS. You can also stop at the Portal Peak Lodge and Store and ask for directions. They will be happy to guide you in the right direction to the station.
Printable Directions

The Station serves scientists and advanced students who strive to conserve the world’s biodiversity and add to our knowledge of the natural world through research. Classes from colleges and universities are welcome to use the Station. Amateur naturalists, bird watchers and other visitors are also accommodated seasonally when space is available.

SWRS is a non-profit organization under the direction of the Science Department of the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York.