Southwestern Research Station

The Southwestern Research Station is a biological field station that provides scientists, educators, and students from across the country and 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 Station is situated in the heart of the Madrean Sky Island Archipelago, which stretches from the tropical Sierra Madre Occidental up to the Rocky Mountains. The habitats around SWRS include an elevational gradient from low desert to alpine meadows, rich riparian areas, and a unique blend of Chihuahuan and Sonoran Desert species.

The Southwestern Research Station serves scientists, students, and groups that strive to conserve the world’s biodiversity and add to our knowledge of the natural world. SWRS is a non-profit organization under the direction of the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) In New York. 

Announcements

We are delighted to announce the new Southwestern Research Station Graduate Field Research Award! his new 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. Due date is March 15, 2019. Download the award announcement and application instructions here:

A brand new Course on Coleoptera Taxonomy will be offered at SWRS for the first time in August 2019. With lead instructor Richard Leschen, as well as Steven Lingafelter, Christopher Carlton, Brittany Owens, Matthew Gimmel, Wendy Moore, Eugene Hall, and Margarethe Brummermann, students will learn field methods, morphology, classification, and identification of beetles. For more information, visit the course page. 

Our new Trees Course will return for a second year in October, 2019. The course welcomes arborists, ecologists, and other students of tree biology for an intensive five days studying the ecology, soil biology, and desert adaptations of the diverse tree communities of the Chiricahuas. 

All five of our Chiricahua weather stations are up and running! Visit the local transect network page to access data from SWRS, the top of the mountains (Bootlegger Saddle), the desert (Chiricahua Desert Museum), and Chiricahua National Monument.

The 2019 SWRS Newsletter is out! Download it here:

SWRS Location and Contact Information