News & Announcements

Movies Under the Stars

Plan to attend the first western 2024 Movie Under the Stars showing on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at sundown.  Burt Lancaster in Ulzana’s Raid. Free, open to all.  Bring your own seating, food and flashlight.  Water and snacks will be available for purchase.

Marti Conroy Honored

Congratulations to Marti Conroy who received the 2024 Richard (Rich) Fedele Award for Outstanding Excellence in the Support of the Southern Arizona Attractions Alliance (SAAA). An Empire Ranch Foundation board member since 2017, Marti has taken a leadership role in promoting the Empire Ranch via marketing and outreach activities. She greatly deserves this recognition from SAAA for her strong commitment and positive impact on the attractions industry of southern Arizona and the historic Empire Ranch.

Posted 4/5/2023

Alan Nyiri Photography

A selection of Alan Nyiri’s remarkable images of the historic Empire Ranch buildings and the LCNCA landscape are on display and available for purchase in the Empire Ranch Gift Shop. The Gift Shop is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm.

Alan Nyiri, Las Cienegas National Conservation Area site host and accomplished fine art photographer, is the first artist in residence appointed by the Bureau of Land Management—Tucson Field Office.

Updated 4/5/2024

Spring Trail Ride, April 6, 2024

Sixty-five riders participated in the Empire Ranch Spring Trail Ride on April 6, 2024.  It was a beautiful day and the event was a great success! Special thanks to Faith Boice who led the 3-hour ride and Rick Collins who led the 1.5 hour ride.  The BBQ lunch was deemed delicious by everyone.

Post updated 4/8/2024

National Public Lands Day Education Program

On October 26, 2023, 150 4th graders from Desert Willow Elementary School in Vail spent the day at Empire Ranch Headquarters learning about National Public Lands Day and Las Cienegas National Conservation Area.  Students rotated through five stations staffed by BLM and Foundation experts.  The Empire Ranch history station was located at the Tack Room where the students learned about branding and other ranching equipment.

Volunteer Days

Dedicated volunteers have been key to preserving the historic Empire Ranch House and Headquarters.  Please join us on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

To volunteer, please submit a Volunteer Opportunities Form, and we will contact you with more details!

New Ranch House Capital Campaign

Help us create our Western Heritage and Education Center!  The Empire Ranch Foundation has begun a capital campaign to renovate the New Ranch House to serve as conference space for education programs, a place for environmental researchers to come stay for a day or two while they study the beautiful area of the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, and as office space where our board members, or in the future, a new administrative director can work.

Click here to find out how you can help.

Christmas at the Empire Ranch

Over 400 visitors enjoyed the  Christmas at the Empire Ranch event on Saturday, December 9th from 10am to 2pm.

Click here to view the program for the day.

ERF Membership Rate is Reduced!

The Empire Ranch Foundation is reaching out. This important historic site is capturing more and more hearts in the communities in the region. Ironically, most people don’t realize that it takes their support to achieve the worthy goal of preserving these ranch buildings. Foundation membership demonstrates that the Empire Ranch is meaningful to more and more people. The more members we have, the more matching funds we can earn from our partners.

The Foundation has made a big decision. We’ve reduced our basic membership to only $35.00. Now, honestly, we’d love to receive more financial support from everyone for this important piece of Arizona history, but we are taking a chance on you. We are asking you to encourage your friends and acquaintances to take advantage of this reduced rate. Financial support is the one thing you can do that doesn’t require time or energy. We urge you to help in this campaign. Membership means caring and caring means future generations will enjoy the beauty and history that is the Empire Ranch.

If you are not a member, please consider joining by clicking here. If you are a member we hope your membership is current.  If you’re unsure of your membership status contact send an email to admin@empireranchfoundation.org.

2023 Cowboy Festival