Canelo Hills Cienega Reserve

Canelo Hills Cienega Reserve
Bullfrog Pond at Canelo Hills Cienega Preserve
Map of Arizona
Location	Canelo Hills
Nearest city	Sonoita, Arizona
Coordinates	31°33′44″N 110°31′33″W / 31.562246°N 110.525851°WCoordinates: 31°33′44″N 110°31′33″W / 31.562246°N 110.525851°W
Area	260 acres (110 ha)
Established	1969
U.S. National Natural Landmark
Designated	1974

The Canelo Hills Cienega Reserve, is a nature preserve southeast of Sonoita, Arizona on the east side of the Canelo Hills. The area's 260 acres (110 ha) are a mix of rare cienega wetland and black oak and Arizona fescue fields.^[1] The preserve is notable for the extremely rare Canelo ladies tresses orchid (Spiranthes delitescens) ^[2][3] and the Gila chub and Gila sucker that grow along its alkaline banks. The ranch was purchased by the Nature Conservancy in 1969 from the Knipes family.^[4] It was designated a National Natural Landmark in December 1974.^[5]

References

1. Society of Wetland Scientists report of visit by Terry Brock
2. Fish and Wildlife Service
3. Arizona Fish and Game Department
4. Nature Conservancy New Conservation Highlights
5. NNL Summary

External links

• Arizona chapter of the Nature Conservancy (site is now managed by Ramsey Ranch location)