Hassayampa River Preserve facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hassayampa River Preserve
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Palm Lake at Hassayampa River Preserve
Hassayampa River Preserve Location in Arizona
Location	Hassayampa, Arizona central Maricopa County
Nearest city	Wickenburg, Arizona
Area	770 acres (3.1 km2)
Established	1987
Governing body	The Nature Conservancy

The Hassayampa River Preserve is a special natural area in Arizona, near Wickenburg. It's a 770-acre nature reserve owned by The Nature Conservancy. This preserve protects a unique part of the Hassayampa River. Even though most of the river flows underground for 113 miles (182 km), the section inside the preserve always has water flowing above ground. This makes it a very important place for plants and animals.

A Look Back: History of the Preserve

The land where the preserve now sits has a long and interesting history.

Early Uses of the Land

In the 1860s, after European settlers arrived, this area was a busy stagecoach stop. Later in the 1800s, it became a farm and cattle ranch. Frederick Brill ran this ranch, called Brill's Ranch. He sold farm products, beef, fruit, and even fish from his pond. These foods went to local settlers and miners, including those working at the nearby Vulture mine.

The Garden of Allah Ranch

In 1913, the property became one of Arizona's first guest ranches. It was named "The Garden of Allah." This name came from a popular romantic novel of that time. Visitors could experience what a real Western ranch was like. During this period, large palm trees were brought in from nearby Castle Hot Springs by wagons. Over the years, the property was also used as a campground. The Peavine railway even had a stop called Allah here. You can still see parts of the old train depot at the preserve today.

Becoming a Nature Preserve

In 1986, The Nature Conservancy became interested in protecting this special place. They bought 660 acres of land in 1987 to create the preserve. Since then, the preserve has grown to 770 acres. In 2016, The Nature Conservancy and Maricopa County agreed to connect the preserve with the larger Vulture Mountains Recreation Area. This recreation area is huge, covering 71,000 acres west and south of the preserve.

Nature's Oasis: Plants and Animals

The Hassayampa River Preserve is located in the Sonoran Desert. This desert is usually very dry, but the preserve is like a green oasis. It has one of the rarest types of river environments: cottonwood-willow forests. Sadly, over 90% of these special forests have been lost or damaged in the last 100 years. These areas are super important for wildlife. It's thought that at least 80% of Arizona's wildlife depends on these river environments. Because of the year-round water and lush plants, the preserve is home to about 300 different kinds of birds, plus many other animals.

Amazing Plants (Flora)

The constant water supply makes the forest here very green and thick. This is unusual for the dry Sonoran Desert. It's one of the most unique forest types in North America. The main trees you'll see are Goodding's willows and Fremont cottonwoods. Other plants in the preserve include desert fan palms, saguaro cacti, barrel cactus, cholla cactus, mesquite trees, and paloverde trees.

You can also find many beautiful flowering plants like penstemon, verbena, lupine, poppies, and primroses. There are also elderberries, claret cup hedgehog cactus, and desert willow. Some non-native plants like figs and mulberries also grow here now.

Wonderful Animals (Fauna)

Many different animals live at the preserve. You might spot hooded skunks, coyotes, mule deer, javelina, raccoons, and Gila monsters. Other animals include ringtails, rock squirrels, and various lizards like spiny lizards and ornate tree lizards. Snakes like the ring-necked snake, western diamondback rattlesnake, and king snakes also call the preserve home. You might even see a desert tortoise, gray fox, bobcat, or a mountain lion!

Birds of the Preserve

The preserve is a birdwatcher's paradise! It's a rare breeding spot for gray and red-shouldered hawks. Many other birds live here all year, such as the Abert's towhee, American yellow warbler, Anna's hummingbird, and Gambel's quail. You can also find Gila woodpeckers, greater roadrunners, and the colorful vermilion flycatcher.

Many birds also visit the preserve during their migrations. These include the American robin, belted kingfisher, cedar waxwing, and different types of warblers like the black-throated gray warbler and orange-crowned warbler. Waterbirds like the great blue heron and green heron also stop by.

Some very rare birds have been seen here too. These include the black hawk, green kingfisher, and zone-tailed hawk. The preserve is truly a vital home for many amazing bird species.