In September 2021, the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies awarded Ian Tomlinson and the Vera Earl Ranch its Private Lands Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Award “…for their proactive conservation and environmental practices and for continuing to exhibit outstanding stewardship of fish and wildlife resources.” In January 2022 the Arizona Game and Fish Commission awarded its Wildlife Habitat Steward of the Year to the Vera Earl Ranch, Inc.
The 2021 Arizona National Livestock Show was dedicated to Grant Boice, the son of Bob and Miriam Boice. Click here to read a wonderful tribute to Grant’s accomplishments, written by Janice Bryson. Bob and Miriam Boice received the same honor when the 2005 AZ National Livestock Show was dedicated to them.
Are you interested in learning more about the Empire Ranch and sharing your knowledge with visitors to the Empire Ranch? Then join us for the next Empire Ranch Foundation Docent Training Class on Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 9 am to 2:30 pm.
Volunteer docents conduct monthly tours of the Empire Ranch House that provide a general introduction to the history of the Empire Ranch, its buildings and its people. Each docent provides an average of four monthly tours annually. Upon completion of the Docent Training Class each docent receives individual tour training.
If you’re interested in participating as a volunteer docent, click here to register for the February 19th class. For questions or additional information contact Alison Bunting, Docent Coordinator, alisbunting@gmail.com.
2021 was filled with challenges and accomplishments. We had to shift our thinking during 2020 to be able to bring the beauty of the Empire Ranch to our membership and our community! We were able to accomplish that due to our very dedicated group of volunteers and board members. We persevered and GREW!!!
We want to keep the momentum going but we can’t do that without the support of our membership! Our top priority is The New Ranch House fund and growing our membership.
Won’t you please consider a year-end gift to support this exciting project??
To make a contribution, click here. Or call 888-364-2829 to process your donation by phone.
In January 1975 the sale of the former Empire Ranch holdings owned by Gulf American Corporation since 1969 to Anamax Mining Corporation was announced.
Click here to read the full story in the December ERF newsletter.
Dedicated volunteers have been key to preserving the historic Empire Ranch House and Headquarters. Please join us on Saturday, February 5, 2022.
To volunteer, please submit a Volunteer Opportunities Form, and we will contact you with more details!
Early on a summer morning Cole (13), Natalie (9) and Celine (6) visited the Empire Ranch Headquarters to try out the Agents of Discovery Empire Ranch Mission. As soon as they saw the headquarters map on their mobile devices, they set off in search of the locations illustrated with question marks.
At each stop they read some background information about that location and had the opportunity to answer a few questions. After completing the questions, they received a congratulatory check mark and dashed off to the next
location.
Download the free Agents of Discovery app to your mobile device at the Apple App Store, Google Play or visit www.AgentsofDiscovery.com.
In June 2021 the ceiling of the Pantry, located between the Bookkeeper’s Room and the Family Kitchen, partially collapsed. Clean-up will be undertaken under Federal safety and preservation guidelines; for the time being, the Pantry and the Bookkeeper’s Room will remain closed.
Learn about Gulf American Corporation’s plans for a large housing development on the Empire Ranch land which GAC purchased in 1969 from the Boice family.
Click here to read the full story in the September 2021 ERF newsletter.