Southwest Research Station - SWRS

Our Earthwatch team’s first base camp was at the Southwest Research Station, SWRS. We arrived on Sunday and left on Wednesday. We learned how to lay plots and ‘zoo’ the first day. The next day we drove up to a higher altitude in the Chiracahuas, where our Earthwatch team split into 2 groups to set up 2 plots from which we would gather caterpillars. The next day half the group zoo’d and the other group worked in the field. As we prepare to depart for the 2^nd part of our research at lower elevations, I take one last opportunity to drink in this most unique space, SWRS.

Spring water flowing into a swimming pool

Tall stands of cottonwood and bushy willows along a seasonal stream

Open areas and hummingbird garden

Majestic escarpments of oak and stone

Monsoon evenings and starry nights

Classroom space is what speaks to the students first when they enter the room. The SWRS does the same for all who turn into its unpaved road.  There are cabins, nestled under shade trees. The porches, invite you take pause to view distant thunderstorms, to feel the cool release of a local rainfall, or to share ideas with others.

We depart soon … finally old routines slide off, now we are reminded of the natural rhythms of sunrise, moonrise, birds, sounds of rain. But as we load up our cars to embark for our 2^nd part of our research, I settle in the car with news friends with whom I have shared our Earthwatch experience at the Southwest Research Station. We are ready for the next chapter of our research!