the 2013 PDF

August 2013
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
The Constitution of Babbitt
Ranches
highlights
the characteristics and values by which the organization operates. Articles of
the Constitution can be found
correlating with the news stories
in the Babbitt Times Review.
C LEARNING—UNDERSTANDING w JOINING—SHARING w BECOMING A PART c
Character, Nature and Community have been bred into
Babbitt Ranches for more than a century. The values that
have made the people of Babbitt Ranches who they are and
the characteristics that have shaped the organization into
a lasting legacy are captured and articulated in The Constitution of Babbitt Ranches. It defines the organization’s Multiple Bottom Line, Conversation Council Creed,
Cowboy Essence, Cowboy Essence Character Qualities,
A Land Ethic, Sustainable Community Principles, Human
Dimension and Science, Equity Model Fundamentals,
Priceless Values and Constitution Commitment. These
guide Babbitt Ranches’ organizational, ecological, economic and community decisions.
C ow boy E ssen ce
Cowboy Essence is the self-satisfaction in knowing you did
your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.
The cowboy culture has long been admired for many
wonderful characteristics: hard work, integrity, ambition,
self-reliance, family values, confidence, honesty, loyalty,
having a relationship with the seasons of the year, and perseverance through hard times as well as gratitude during
the good times.
We are fortunate to have the cowboy culture to remind us
of Cowboy Essence. But no matter who we are or where
we are in our lives, we all have the opportunity to demonstrate these qualities.
Examples are everywhere as the spirit of the American
cowboy filters into all aspects of our communities, culture and society whether we’re a schoolteacher, physician,
firefighter, law enforcement officer, businessperson, civil
service worker, outdoor recreationist, student or family
member at home.
The character qualities that make up Cowboy Essence
are defined in The Constitution of Babbitt Ranches
and reflected in the Babbitt Ranches core values. They
have guided the lives of Babbitt Ranches owners and
employees for more than a century.
Cowboy Essence creates that peace of mind that comes
from knowing our heritage and that we are at our best.
The definition of Article III Cowboy Essence in The Constitution
of Babbitt Ranches was inspired by the leadership philosophy of
Hall of Fame Coach John Wooden.
Through our efforts of learning and understanding, Babbitt Ranches, a family business and
pioneering land company, raises livestock, manages natural resources, promotes science and
participates in the broader community in order to join, share and do the very best we know how.
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
page 2
Babbitt Ranches
Community Prayer
We thank you Lord, for this place in which we live;
for the love and friendships that unite us and for the
peace accorded to us this day: for the hope with
which we expect tomorrow—for the health, food and
the bright skies that make our lives happy—for our
friends everywhere.
Let peace abound in our families. Purge out of our
hearts the hidden grudge. Give us the grace and
strength to practice self-control. Give us the will to
accept and to forgive each other. Give us brave, joyous and peaceful minds. Bless us in all our honest and
sincere endeavors.
If it may be, give us the courage to face that which
is to come—that we may be brave in risk, constant in
difficulty—temperate in anger—and in all changes of
fortune; loyal, true and loving one another.
August 2013
A Yellow Rose
The presentation of a single yellow rose is a tradition of Babbitt Ranches. This tradition allows us
to reflect and to embrace our passed loved ones and to share this embrace with their families.
A Yellow Rose
Its gentle beauty reminds us of the love our family and friends have for us…
Its soft yellow hue symbolizes the hope and joy that comes with tomorrow’s sunrise…
Its loveliness lives on in our hearts and reminds us of those who have wonderfully graced our lives
and who will always remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Article III
Cowboy
Essence
Section 3.
Friendship
Mutual esteem, respect
and devotion are the
ingredients of an enduring friendship. Like
marriage, it must not be
taken for granted but
requires a joint effort.
James D. Babbitt
1924-2013
Legendary Flagstaff businessman and World War II hero
James “Jim” David Babbitt passed away peacefully, Aug. 29.
He grew up in northern Arizona and enlisted when World
War II broke out, serving as a fighter pilot for three years
flying the P-47 single engine plane across Europe. He was
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal
with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters. When he came home, he worked
for Babbitt Brothers Trading Company before joining the
first Ford dealership in Arizona owned by his uncle, E.D.
Babbitt. In 1965, he bought the dealership, which became
Jim Babbitt Ford. He has partnered in the business for 25
years with Alan Chan. Jim and his wife, Marge, were on site
to celebrate the dealership’s centennial anniversary on Dec.
12, 2012. Mr. Babbitt also spent many years serving on the
Babbitt Ranches Board of Directors.
The community of Babbitt Ranches
fondly remembers beloved friends:
Ron Johnson, Sr.  Ron Sieg  Dick Tillman
© 2012 Chris Couture
Cowboy Artist Honored at Colt Sale
The life of Bill Owen, the man known as
“The Cowboy’s Artist,” was celebrated
during the annual Colt Sale on Saturday,
July 13. In honor of his friendship with Babbitt
Ranches, Mr. Owen’s wife, Valerie, received a
large photograph of the ranch families.
During his longtime relationship with Babbitt Ranches, Mr. Owen captured the work of
the cowboys on canvas. In Arizona historian
Marshall Trimble’s book, CO Bar, Bill Owen
Depicts the Historic Babbitt Ranch, his representations of ranch life are displayed in vivid
detail and movement through colorful pictures and pencil drawings against dramatic
scenic backdrops. One of his signature pieces
became a billboard announcing the Colt Sale
on Highway 89.
The introduction of the book states: “Owen
recalls that, as a child his goal was to become
a cowboy for a big ranching outfit. As he grew
older, becoming an artist of the American
West became important to him, too. Through
his work with the CO Bar, he has been able
to achieve both these goals, although in a way
different than he had originally imagined.
The men, animals, and land of the CO Bar
have been Owen’s constant source of inspiration; he displays a great affection for the CO
Bar and its people. In particular, he considers cowboys to be unconventional, innovative
and highly gifted with common sense and
stamina.”
John G. Babbitt wrote about Mr. Owen in
the Foreword for the book: “Unlike many
artists who paint from photographs or occasional visits, Owen has periodically been a
working cowboy with the CO Bar. His willingness to work and his talents on horseback
have earned him the respect of the regular
hands. Our ranch is part of Bill Owen in a
most fundamental sense.”
Mr. Owen always felt compelled to record
what he believed to be the true endangered
species of our time: the contemporary working cowboy. He was extremely passionate
about the importance of portraying each
and every detail with complete accuracy. As
stated on his website, “His greatest accomplishments and proudest moments were realized when a true cowboy looked at one of his
pieces and said, ‘That’s exactly the way it is!’”
For all of Bill’s artistic achievements, he
was especially proud of The Arizona Cowpuncher’s Scholarship Organization, which
he founded in 1995 to help finance college
educations for young people from the Arizona
ranching community.
Mr. Owen was a member of the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America, and his Born in 1942, Mr. Owen passed away on
fervor for the American West can be wit- June 15, 2013. His work is represented exclunessed in his art, which can be explored at sively by the Great American West Gallery, in
Historic Downtown Grapevine, Texas.
www.billowenca.com
No Surprises Forecast
for the Coconino Plateau
With no El Nino or La Nina weather patterns in the
forecast, meteorologists predict a typical autumn for the
Coconino Plateau.
“Another beautiful fall is likely on the way,” said Brian
Klimowski, Ph. D., a National Weather Service meteorologist stationed in F. “As such we should see the normal variance of conditions typical of this time of year.”
The end of the monsoon in September usually brings
dry, clear and breezy days, with cool nights and the first
frost.
“The occasional storm is likely to bring some rain,
but in the fall these storms are typically few and far
between,” he said.
Although it’s too soon to be certain, Klimowski says
winter is shaping up to be within the normal range for
precipitation and temperatures.
“As we get closer, we’ll have a better idea on how this
season will behave!”
When David and Billy Babbitt stepped off the train at sunrise in their fine business suits to snow-covered mountains and
the burnt remains of a post-fire Flagstaff, Ariz., the destiny of the original five Babbitt brothers as cattle barons may not
have been as clear as the chilly mountain air. But on April 7, 1886, they made the transition from Cincinnati businessmen to
western pioneers with $17,000 for 1,200 head of cattle. At one time, the Babbitt ranching and mercantile empire stretched
from Dodge City, Kans., to southern California. With great respect, these men, their wives and families are remembered for
their character and values, their Cowboy Essence.
August 2013
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
page 3
Hashknife Legacy Lives
on at Babbitt Ranches
Babbitt Herefords
Trace to Herefordshire
Herefords from Hereford- ment with Sotham having part
shire, England first attracted ownership.
attention for their distinctive The local Albany Cultivator
color, impressive size, strong reported Sotham and Cornhealth, easy temperament ing’s shipment was “One of
and premium quality as beef the most important importaand milk producers. Today’s tions of cattle and sheep that
Hereford continues to be the has ever taken place in this
benchmark against which country… The cattle are of the
other breeds are measured. Herford breed from HerefordThere are now hundreds of shire, and are the very best
thousands of registered Her- animals that could be selected.
eford cattle in the United No one can help being struck
States, of which some 7,500 by the extraordinary size of
carry the legendary CO Bar the cows, their fine forms and
(Cincinnati, Ohio) brand of their substantial development,
Babbitt Ranches.
denoting strength and power,
Nearly 300 years ago, and showing the basis of the
farmers founded the breed reputation that the Herefords
in response to demand cre- formerly had for working catated by Britain’s Industrial tle and now for feeding. The
Revolution. Efficient produc- expense of the importation
tion, high yields and sound was nearly $8,000.”
reproduction were of utmost The Albany Cultivator also
importance. Benjamin Tom- noticed Corning and Sotham’s
kins is credited with the origi- Herefords at the 1844 New
nal design. He began in 1742 York State Fair and reported,
with a bull calf from the cow, “It is but justice to say that no
Silver, and two cows, Pid- animals on the ground excited
geon and Mottle. Many of the more praise than these.”
cattle purchased in America With the positive publicity,
were said to have originated the Hereford breed gained a
from Tomkins’ program.
strong foothold in New EngThe
first
authenticated land. At one point an area
importation of the Hereford around Augusta, Maine, was
breed into America was made known as the Herefordshire of
in 1817 by Kentucky states- America.
man Henry Clay. The ship- Another Hereford importament included one cow, one tion was that of sea captain
heifer and one bull. After Phineas Pendleton of Searsinbreeding created adverse port, Maine. He became
familiar with the
affects, the cattle
breed on his viswere crossed with
its to the green
other
breeds.
Article III pastures of CarThough
their
diff, Wales. He
purebred status
Cowboy
decided to buy
was diluted, benEssence
an
impressive
efits of their beefpair:
a
yearling
making characSection 1.
bull named Kimteristics carried
through the cattle Industriousness roe and a yearof Kentucky for There is no substitute ling heifer named
for work. Worthwhile
Kitty. The pair
some time.
results come from
The next docuwas quite suchard work and
mented import of
cessful and is said
careful planning.
Hereford breedto have estabing stock was a
lished the oldest
bull and heifer
family of Ameriaround 1825. The heifer can Herefords.
proved to be barren, but the The Hereford movement
bull was purchased by Isaac grew and the breed increased
Bates of Northampton, Mass., in numbers through the cenand lived some 20 years as tury. Later in the 1800s,
Sir Isaac.
Herefords were introduced to
The first large importation, the commercial herds of the
responsible for the founda- nation as the cattle industry
tion of a purebred breeding moved west.
herd, was that of William Throughout the 1870s the
Sotham and Erastus Corn- Hereford were a strong presing. Sotham, from Oxforshire, ence in Kansas, Nebraska,
England, was familiar with Colorado, Wyoming and
Hereford cattle. He was a Texas, then some of the largcattle buyer for New York beef est cattle states with the abunpacker, Ebenezer Wilson.
dance of free grass, transporIn 1840, Wilson, agreed to tation and central markets.
finance the purchase of 22 Cattlemen continue to seek
head of Herefords from Her- the optimum traits inherent
efordshire. Sotham sailed to in Herefords. Through the
England, selected the cattle Babbitt Ranches breeding
and returned to New York and nutrition programs, the
with them. Unfortunately, his organization strives to proemployer was having financial duce the finest Hereford cattle
difficulties and couldn’t go herd. Babbitt Ranches’ efforts
through with the deal. Wil- have been recognized by the
son convinced his friend, the Arizona Hereford Association
Honorable Erastus Corning of with the Cattleman of the Year
Albany, N.Y., to become the award.
primary owner of the ship-
Babbitt Ranches is a Family Business, as such, the work
of business and the complexity of relationships have had a
significant impact on each other. Through the years, Babbitt ventures have included cattle, sheep, trading posts,
grocery stores, department stores, lumber companies, a
livery stable, an automobile dealership, mining operations,
farms, an ice plant, a funeral parlor and many others. As
the 21st century organizational community carries on the
spirit of adventure, exploration and love for the land, the
CO Bar, Cataract and Espee Ranches remain bustling
with activities that bridge the business ventures from the
pioneer age to the space age with a commitment to quality
and long-term decision making. Cowboys ride, rope and
brand while researchers study climate, explore renewable
energy and simulate conditions of the moon.
ŠŠ 730,000 acres of grazing land
ŠŠ 275,000 acres deeded
ŠŠ 7,500 head; mostly Hereford cattle
ŠŠ 150 American Quarter Horses;
carrying the historic Hashknife brand
Hashknife Colts
Attract Crowd
Serious ranchers, looking for is adding four more Babbitt
lineage and spirit, sized up Ranches colts and foals to his
the latest generation of Hash- Dos Sierras Ranch. Last year
knife horses at the annual Colt he purchased four, as well.
Sale, Saturday, July 13. Rodeo “I saw the terrain and expecompetitors and casual riders rienced the high altitude,” said
Etienne. “I knew
did too. In all, 29
colts were offered
this was the place
and 29 were sold
Article III where I have to
as bidders comget my horses.
Cowboy
peted from the
They have good
lungs, a good
crowded bleachEssence
heart, good feet
ers at Spider Web
Section 15.
and stamina.”
Camp.
“The top volume
Babbitt Ranches
Competitive
horses and cowbuyer was also
Greatness
boys have been
the top bidder,”
winning state and
said Ranch ManBe at your best when
national competiager Victor Howyour best is needed.
Enjoy a difficult
ell. “A Double
tions for decades,
challenge.
making
their
Cowboy colt with
an Ike mare went
horses some of
the most soughtfor $6,300.”
After his second Colt Sale at after in the world of ranching,
Spider Web Camp, Pedro Eti- roping and riding.
enne of Tamaulipas, Mexico,
Jim Jennings
The Hashknife brand dates with western horses, pioneers
back to the 1800s and is con- found that the new crossbred
nected to many tall tales about had innate “cow sense,” a
its horses and cowboys. How- natural instinct for working
ever, Hashknife horses are with cattle, making it popular
American Quarter Horses, among cattlemen.
an entirely American breed In the late 1800s, horses
whose descendants came from carrying the Hashknife brand
England, Spain and the wild were known for being fast
areas of North America.
and able to maneuver expertly
Excelling at sprinting short through rocky, rugged terdistances, the American rain. Hashknife cowboys had a
Quarter Horse got its name reputation for being rogues, as
from its ability to outdistance well as riders.
other horse breeds in races of Members of the Hashknife
a quarter mile or less; some outfit worked for the Aztec
individuals have been clocked Land and Cattle Co., a New
at speeds up to 55 miles per York investment firm that
hour.
formed in 1884. They rode the
With its compact body it is high desert of northern Ariwell suited for intricate and zona when most of the region
speedy maneuvers and known was untamed.
both as a race horse and for its Babbitt Ranches acquired the
performance in rodeos, horse Hashknife brand when Aztec
shows and as a
sold it to a local
working
ranch
rancher named
horse.
Wyrick, who
Article IV Jim
In the 17th cenwas financed by
tury,
colonists
the Babbitt family.
Cowboy
on the eastern
Today,
the
Essence
seaboard of what
American Quarter
Character
today is the United
Horse is the most
Qualities
States began to
popular breed in
cross import Engthe United States,
Section 6.
lish
Thoroughand the American
Reliability
bred horses with
Quarter
Horse
The consistency and
assorted “native”
Association is the
trustworthiness that
horses such as
largest breed regcreate respect.
the
Chickasaw
istry in the world
horse, which was
with more than
a breed developed
five million regisby Native Ameritered.
cans from horses introduced Some of Babbitt Ranches’
by the Spanish Conquistadors. highly sought-after AmeriOne of the most famous of can Quarter Horses descend
these early imports was Janus, from Driftwood, Play Gun
a Thoroughbred who was the and Sun Frost. Driftwood,
grandson of the Godolphin the most famous of the BabArabian. He was foaled in bitt Ranches Hashknife heri1746 and imported to colo- tage, was foaled in 1932. This
nial Virginia in 1756. The rodeo champion, also known
influence of Thoroughbreds as “Speedy,” was famous for
like Janus contributed genes speed, conformation and intelcrucial to the development of ligence. The bay sired many
the colonial Quarter Horse. rodeo and ranch horses. He
The resulting horse was small, died in 1960. In 2006, Drifthardy and quick, and was used wood was inducted into the
as a work horse during the AQHA Hall of Fame.
week and a race horse on the In 2007, Western Horseman
weekends.
magazine chose Driftwood as
In the 19th century, pioneers number five on its list of top
needed a strong, willing horse. ten ranch horse bloodlines.
These horses of the West Recognized for its excepincluded herds of feral animals tional horse program, Babbitt
known as Mustangs, as well as Ranches and its 150 Amerihorses domesticated by Native can Quarter Horses have been
Americans. As the colonial honored with the 2005 AQHAQuarter Horse was crossed Bayer Best Remuda award.
Broadening Horizons with
Business Opportunities
Recycling and Refilling the Gravel Pit
In addition to operating the gravel mining operation, Babbitt Ranches
her been permitted to operate an inert landfill. A portion of the old
gravel mining operation has been converted for this new use as material removed from highway construction projects can be used for
reclamation to replace materials extracted from the mine.
Harnessing the Wind
One of the world’s largest clean energy leaders, NextEra, continues
to research and assess opportunities for a wind development project
on the CO Bar ranch north of Flagstaff.
Can You Hear Me Now?
With the newest installed this year, two cell towers are located on
Babbitt Ranches expanding cell phone and other communications
coverage in northern Arizona.
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
page 6
Ultra Run Retraces
Stagecoach Route
It may well have been
northern
Arizona’s
first ultimate wildland
journey for tourists.
Started in 1892, the
Stagecoach Line from
Flagstaff to the Grand
Canyon took the better
part of two days over
bumpy terrain and rewarded ing the spectacular sweeping
visitors with unimaginable views of the San Francisco
views. That trail will be trav- Peaks, especially from Tubs
eled by 200 runners this fall Ranch Camp,” said Weinas they experience
traub. “The whole
the journey that,
stagecoach route
again, will take
a step back
Article III isin liketime.
the better part
There
of two days and
hasn’t been much
Cowboy
likely will create
change
except
Essence
memories that last
more trees that
Section 10.
a lifetime.
have grown in.
The Flagstaff to
Conditioning Runners will get
Grand
Canyon
a feel for what it
Stagecoach Line All aspects of our lives was like to live
must be developed:
100 Mile Ultra &
here 125 years
mental; spiritual; and,
Relay is a 100ago.”
physical. Rest, exercise
mile extreme mar- and diet must be conThe ultra race,
athon that begins sidered and moderation is permitted by
at 2 p.m., SaturBabbitt Ranches
must be practiced.
day, Oct. 19 and
and the Kaibab
ends at 8 p.m.,
and
Coconino
Sunday, Oct. 20.
National Forests,
The trail follows
and is a fundthe historical route, much raising event for the Arizona
of it on the Arizona Trail, Trail Association. One of its
which goes through the Bab- projects is maintaining the Aribitt Ranches CO Bar Ranch. zona Trail. This premier long
Starting at the Flagstaff Hot- distance trail was the dream
Shot Ranch off Snowbowl of Dale Shewalter who enviRoad and ending at the IMAX
Theatre in Tusayan, the only
paved section of the race will
be the last 100 yards where
runners go under Highway 64
at the Grand Canyon.
Kaibab National Forest
South Zone Archaeologist Neil
Weintraub, an avid runner and
a volunteer Arizona Trail Steward, expects participants to be
widely dispersed. “If you’re out
in the forest, you won’t be able sioned a cross-state trail from
to tell there’s a race going on. Nogales to Utah in the 1970s.
Runners will be out all night by It was completed on Dec. 16,
the light of a nearly full moon, 2011.
if we don’t have cloud cover. The $20 stagecoach ride
They’ll be able to enjoy the for- ended in 1901 with the arrival
est, see wildlife and appreciate of the train, which cut the jourthe solitude.”
ney down from 20 hours to
“The Babbitts are very five or six. For more informaexcited about this race going tion about the race, visit www.
across the property and shar- aztrail.org/ultrarun/
Arizona Cowpuncher’s Reunion
Rodeo Celebrates 35 Years
More than a thousand mem- “To most people it is the
bers of Arizona’s ranch families reunion aspect of the rodeo
competed in the annual Ari- that’s most important,” said
zona Cowpuncher’s Reunion Runston. “A lot of people plan
Rodeo June 20-23 at Williams their yearly vacation around
Rodeo Grounds. The event the rodeo to get together with
raised more than $4,000 for friends and enjoy a lot of good
both the Cowpuncher’s Crisis visiting.”
Fund and the Arizona Cow- Proceeds benefit families who
are
struggling
puncher’s Scholbecause of injury
arship Organizaor illness through
tion.
Article III the CowpunchThe
reunion
er’s Crisis Fund
rodeo is designed
Cowboy
started by former
for the whole famEssence
ACRA president
ily, “from the little
Section 11.
Mike Oden. The
ones on up to the
reunion
rodeo
grandpas,” says
Skill
also funds college
Arizona
Cowpuncher’s Rodeo Be prepared with knowl- scholarships for
family
Association Sec- edge and the ability to ranching
properly and quickly
students.
The
Ariretary Trina Runexecute the
zona
Cowpunchston. It was crefundamentals. Cover
er’s Scholarship
ated to perpetuate
every little detail.
Organization was
the camaraderie
started in 1995
of the working
by former ACRA
cowboy, his family
president and artand close associates involved in the livestock ist Bill Owen.
The Babbitt Ranches comindustry.
The rodeo events are unique, munity has sponsored various
based on daily activities done events and participated with
on working cattle and horse the ACRA and the reunion
ranches. They include events rodeo since the beginning,
such as the Wild Horse Race, with members serving on the
Wild Cow Milking, Steer Rid- board of directors and in offiing, Daily Calf Roping, Team cer positions. Clay Rodgers is
Tying and Ribbon Roping. the 2014 ACRA president and
Bronc riders have to compete Vic Howell will be serving on
the 2014 Board.
in their everyday saddles.
Beef Helps Feed Flagstaff
Family Food Center
Babbitt Ranches is a Community within a Community
integrated with broadly diverse groups of individuals with
varying thoughts, interests, skills and history. With yourself, with family and friends, with the community and with
the environment, one way or another and in the end, relationships are all there is. Thus, it’s simply not just about
things and doing things, but about the meaning of things.
With a genuine consideration for others, LifeScapes provides a venue through which Babbitt Ranches participates
with the community.
Babbitt Foundation
Supports Communities
The Babbitt Foundation is a
non-profit charitable organization that provides the opportunity for Babbitt Ranches
to participate in the health,
education, science, arts and
historic preservation of northern Arizona communities as a
way of meeting needs, giving 1955 by Joseph Babbitt, who
back and enhancing the quality kept illustrated field journals
of life in communities where it when gathering historic and
does business.
contemporary Hopi, Navajo
Established in 1980 by the and Zuni relics.
Babbitt Brothers Trading As a member of the Heritage
Company, the Foundation was Square Trust, the Foundation
initially funded through the CO participates in the developBar Ranch and mineral royal- ment and oversight of Heritage
ties from ranch holdings in Square in Flagstaff’s historic
Johnson City, Kan.
downtown district. The Trust’s
Originally, Babbitt family goal is to make quality entercontributions supported local tainment and artistic talent
hospitals and clinics. The phil- accessible to all audiences by
anthropic mission expanded omitting admission fees and
to provide Northern Arizona utilizing Flagstaff’s only openUniversity scholarships to stu- air amphitheater. Heritage
dents from communities where Square provides an opporthe Babbitts operated trading tunity for all socio-economic
posts and stores.
backgrounds to experience
Today the Foundation is professional entertainment and
funded by income derived art, free of charge.
from rental units in the Bab- The Babbitt Foundation is
bitt Building. Through the
primarily responBabbitt Ranches’
sible for the
Cowboy Essence
renovation of the
philosophy
and
Article IX Babbitt Broththe
LifeScapes
ers Building on
Priceless
program, the BabAspen Ave. and
Values
bitt
Foundation
San
Francisco
participates with
St.,
which
serves
With yourself, with
local
organiza- family and friends, with as a unique histions to encourage the community and with torical part of the
healthy lifestyles, the environment, one community that
healthy families way or another and in represents
the
and healthy com- the end, relationships adventure of early
are all there is.
munities.
Flagstaff
and
—Bill
Cordasco
Together
with
remains a legacy
Flagstaff Cultural
for future generaPartners,
the
tions.
Babbitt FoundaFirst
contion promotes the arts as an structed as a building-supply
integral part of the commu- store in 1888, the Babbitt
nity through the Viola Awards. Brothers Building eventually
Now in its sixth year, the Viola grew to the size of half a city
Awards recognize outstanding block and became Babbitt’s,
arts and science achievements Arizona’s largest department
of individuals and organiza- store. Slated for demolition,
tions. An artist and leading the original 30-foot by 70-foot
patron of the arts, Viola Bab- sandstone building was purbitt, was the driving force chased by the Foundation in
behind the Flagstaff Art Barn 1991 and is being restored.
and the Coconino Center for Original stone arches on the
the Arts, and was the inspira- south side of the building were
tion for the annual celebration. numbered and replaced so that
Viola was born in the Arizona each window is situated the
Territory in 1894 and died a way it was more than a century
century later in 1994.
ago. The cornice and pressed
The Babbitt Foundation metal of the rooftop, lost in
also supports the Museum 1957, were re-manufactured
of Northern Arizona and its and re-installed by 1997.
mission to inspire a sense of Supporting efforts to prelove and responsibility for the serve Flagstaff’s pioneering
beauty and diversity of the Col- past and participating with
orado Plateau through collect- organizations to strengthen
ing, studying, interpreting, and communities remain imporpreserving the region’s natural tant functions of the Babbitt
and cultural heritage.
Foundation.
The Foundation funded a Future efforts include the
renovation project to display LifeScapes Open Hands
the Joseph Babbitt Ceramics Country Beef Initiative and
Collection featuring Native other opportunities to join
American artifacts. In the with
community-oriented
Babbitt Ethnographic Gallery organizations in their misthere are extensive collections sions of supporting the health
of jewelry and pots, collected and welfare of northern Ariin the Southwest from 1931 to zona communities.
Beefed up Colt Sale Supports Northland Hospice
More than 350 people came
out to see this season’s generation of legendary Hashknife horses. Some went
home with successful bids
on colts; many went home
with a few pounds of beef
and the opportunity to make
a donation to Northland
Hospice & Palliative Care.
During the Annual Colt
Sale at Spider Web Camp,
Saturday, July 13, Babbitt
Ranches had the opportunity
to participate with Northland
Hospice in the non-profit
organization’s goal of helping people live their final
months as fully and peacefully as possible.
Through
the
Babbitt
Ranches LifeScapes program and Open Hands
Country Beef initiative, more
than 300 pounds of the
grass-fed,
hormone-free
ground beef wrapped in
one-pound packages were
available for a donation.
“We call it ‘Your Price Not
Ours.’ Participants can pay
whatever they decide for the
beef as a donation to Hospice,” said Babbitt Ranches
President Bill Cordasco.
“The focus of our LifeScapes
August 2013
program is on healthy communities, healthy families
and healthy lifestyles.”
Northland Hospice & Palliative Care provides hospice
care for people of any age
with any terminal diagnosis.
“We’re so grateful to Babbitt
Ranches,” said Northland
Hospice CEO Diana Watt.
“It means everything to us
to have local support from a
family that has been such an
important part of the Flagstaff community.”
Northland Hospice & Palliative Care has been a community resource since 1983.
Article IV
Cowboy
Essence
Character
Qualities
Section 10.
Faith
The belief that things
will turn out as they
should.
The success far exceeded
expectations as Aspen Valley
Golf Club raised more than
$28,000 at its 2013 Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the Flagstaff Family Food
Center.
“We had many items donated
from the Flagstaff community
for our raffle,” said Aspen
Valley Past President Joyce
Bayles. “Babbitt Ranches was Family Food Center Executive
very generous. They donated Director Steve Saville. “Para cow that was butchered and ticipants really enjoyed bidwe divided the packages into ding on it. Part of the fun was
four different silent auction promoting it with a cardboard
groupings.”
cutout of John Wayne.”
Every other year Aspen Val- Aspen Valley was hoping to
ley invites the community sign up 120 golfers at $100
to support a local charity. It each for registration. “We
is tradition for the outgoing ended up with 132 players, so
Aspen Valley Golf Club Presi- we saw $13,200 from regisdent to choose the charity.
tration alone,” said Bayles.
“I chose Flagstaff Fam- “Dan Stoops, a Food Center
ily Food Center because it’s board member, got 37 tee
important to feed people. hole sponsors and brought
They do an extremely good in $9,300! The Food Center
job of feeding whoever shows has a very active board. We
up and treating them with couldn’t have been nearly as
dignity. I also think the read- successful without their time,
ing room for
energy and devochildren is an
tion. It was an
example of their
absolute pleasure
attempts to help
Article IV to serve alongside
all the members
them.”
Cowboy
of the families
The
Flagstaff
Essence
they
serve,”
Family Food CenCharacter
said
Bayles.
ter, started by
“They
served
George and Patsy
Qualities
over 85,000 hot
McCullough, first
Section 11.
meals last year,
opened its door
Gratitude
and have served
to the public on
more than a milDecember
25,
The art of being
lion since they grateful for all things. 1991 as an outwere
estabgrowth of Catholic
lished.
They
Social Services.
serve hot meals
George’s mother
365 days a year, and no one was Margaret Babbitt, daughis turned away.”
ter of George Babbitt, who
The Flagstaff Family Food was one of the original five
Center’s mission is to provide Babbitt brothers.
nutritional meals in a safe In September it merged with
pleasant environment and Northern Arizona Food Bank.
assist children with reading, They now operate under one
homework and social skills.
umbrella and one name. The
Through the Open Hands new agency, called Flagstaff
Country Beef initiative, Bab- Family Food Center: Food
bitt Ranches was able to sup- Bank and Kitchen, will conport the golf tournament on tinue to serve hot meals,
Friday, July 19, to benefit the facilitate the preparation of
food center.
bag lunches and maintain a
“The quartered beef was a children’s reading program.
unique touch,” said Flagstaff
Poore Medical Clinic
Serves Those Who
Can’t Afford Treatment
From ingrown toenails to setting broken bones to regulating diabetes, the staff at the
Poore Medical Clinic serves
the medical needs of northern
Arizona’s low income, uninsured population, and they do
it for free.
Operating since 2011, and
relying completely on unpaid with two generous Flagstaff
volunteer services and private surgeons who took out the
donations, the non-profit clinic tumor pro bono; it was not
serves patients twice a week. malignant, and the operation
Poore Medical Clinic Founder changed her life.”
Dr. Henry Poore, M.D., says The Poores say the need for
a free clinic has always been such a clinic is great, especially
needed for those truly in need. with the recession. “A lot of
“There’s no co-pay and there people have master’s degrees
is no charge for the medica- but have very low paying jobs,
tion,” he said.
or no job,” said
As has been the
Nina. “Were very
tradition since the
Article IV grateful for prilate 1800s, Babvate donations.
Cowboy
bitt Ranches has
Without them we
supported healthwouldn’t be in
Essence
care facilities in
business. EveryCharacter
northern Arizona
body here is an
Qualities
communities and
unpaid volunteer.
is proud to particiEverybody
is
Section 4.
pate with the misabsolutely, unbeHonesty
sion of the Poore
lievably generous
Doing
the things we
Medical
Clinic
with their time.”
know are right.
through the Open
Doctors are priHands Country
mary care providBeef initiative.
ers, medical doc“I’ve
never
tors, family nurse
worked so hard
practitioners and
or had so much fun,” said Dr. physician assistants. There is
Poore, who retired from his also a full-time psychiatrist.
private general practice after Specialty clinics include ortho50 years in Flagstaff and also pedics, gynecology, internal
started Flagstaff Urgent Care. medicine, pediatrics, and ear,
His wife, Nina Poore, volun- nose and throat.
teers as a nurse at the clinic. The clinic also receives supShe says the Flagstaff facility port from medical facilities
treats people who otherwise such as Troyer Urgent Care,
would not seek help.
Sonora Quest Laboratories of
“One lady we saw had a huge Northern Arizona and Northbelly. She was 62 years old ern Arizona Radiology.
and looked like she was preg- Patients are screened for elinant with multiple births. She gibility, which is under 200
had been walking around with percent of the federal poverty
a 38-pound tumor and was level.
afraid to seek medical care Dr. Poore has been recogbecause she thought it would nized as the 2012 Arizona
cost her her house,” she said. Daily Sun person of the year
“We were able to arrange for his work.
August 2013
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
Landsward Foundation
The Landsward Foundation decisions about their lands.
brings together researchers In 2002, the Babbitt sharewho share a common interest in holders gifted to Northern
understanding and sustaining Arizona University the Ecothe lands of Babbitt Ranches. logical Monitoring & AssessThis Foundation serves as a ment Program & Foundation,
liaison between Babbitt land- (EMA), research access to
owners, managers and the sci- Babbitt Ranches lands across
entific community to facilitate the Colorado Plateau, and a
the advancement of a land use 24-acre parcel of Wild Bill
ethic, research and steward- Ranch for an ecological center.
ship, and take into account the Since then, EMA’s name has
intricate relationships that exist been changed to the Landbetween people and the natu- sward Foundation and is now
ral world.
an independent, private nonThrough this Foundation, profit organization operating
efforts to develop science- for charitable, educational and
based information are made scientific purposes.
to advance the understanding The Landsward mission is
of ecological, social, and eco- to affect a land use ethic so
nomic factors contributing to that private landowners and
informed land use decisions managers have science-based
and stewardship. Research- knowledge to support the
ers and landowners work to thoughtful land use, stewardadvance understanding of how ship and conservation of their
to sustain healthy
lands and natuecosystems and
ral and cultural
minimize human
Article VII resources.
impacts.
Through the colHuman
The Landsward
lection, monitorDimension
Foundation grew
ing and assessout of the proand Science ment of scientific
gressive conserdata, Landsward
vation and land That land is a commu- provides baseline
management phi- nity is the basic concept and
continuing
of ecology, but that
losophy of Babbitt land is to be loved and information about
Ranches. The first respected is an exten- the biology, habibiological survey
tats, populations
sion of ethics.
of the San Franand other factors
— Aldo Leopold
cisco
mountain
impacting
the
region was congeneral environducted in 1889mental condition
’90 by Dr. C. Hart Merriam. and quality of the land.
Inspired by Merriam’s work, The Landward Foundation
Babbitt Ranches conducted believes the highest quality
a comprehensive biological ecological, social and conassessment of its holdings in servation science is needed
the early 1990s. The intent to guide stewardship of the
was to collect information as a natural resources on all lands,
benchmark for understanding and that comprehensive stewthe ecological processes and ardship is needed to ensure
human impacts on these lands. the integrity of ecological proThe owners of Babbitt cesses from threats such as
Ranches created the Founda- land use change, habitat loss
tion in order to integrate sci- and fragmentation, contamience and research in one place. nants, climate, and the invasion
They envisioned the Founda- of non-indigenous species.
tion benefiting other private The Foundation’s relationlandowners on the Coconino ship with Babbitt Ranches is
Plateau. Their intent is to through the Generations—
provide learning and teaching Sustainability Sciences Proopportunities, so that private gram and is summarized in a
landowners have the benefit of Statement of Awareness.
science-based data to inform
Gardens Help Scientists
and Land Managers
Plan for Future Conditions
With the warming of the we can quantify precisely how
Southwest and an upward well they do under varying clishift in plant vegetation zones, matic and soil conditions.”
scientists and land manag- Vegetation will include speers are concerned about what cies that grow in the area,
the landscape will look like if members of the same species
heated up a few more degrees. that have adapted to lower eleCan ponderosa pines continue vations and a warmer climate,
to exist in northern Arizona? along with invasive species,
Will native grasses such as but only if the invasive species
Arizona fescue succumb to already exists at the location.
Two of the gardens will be on
exotics like cheatgrass?
Regents’ Professor and Mer- Babbitt Ranches.
riam Powell Center for Envi- Whitham says grasses, pinronmental Research Execu- yons, junipers and other flower
tive Director Tom Whitham, plants are likely candidates
Ph.D., is studying how genetic for the Babbitt Ranches gardens with water
variation in plants
as the biggest
can help them
deration
adapt to a changArticle VII cforo n s idetermining
ing environment.
where these sites
He is at the foreHuman
will be. The garfront of climate
Dimension
dens will be highly
change research
and Science instrumented with
with the Southvideo,
weather
western ExperiSection 1.
stations and soil
mental Garden
Ensure that Babbitt
moisture probes,
Array (SEGA).
Ranch land and natural
In concert with resources are managed and will be availBabbitt Ranches, in accordance with Bab- able for study by
researchers and
the Landsward
bitt Ranch values.
students from all
Foundation and
over the world.
others, Whitham
“The
climate
says the knowledge gained using this facility models predict that northern
can be used to develop geneti- Arizona will be shifting toward
cally based adaptive land man- what’s typical a hundred miles
agement practices to mitigate or more to the southwest of us
the combined challenges of or 1,000 feet or more lower
climate change and invasive in elevation,” he said. “We’re
trying to simultaneously charspecies.
“Importantly, the ability to acterize the response of plants
conduct field trials in such to the multiple challenges of cligardens and then to turn mate changes and interactions
these findings into practice with exotic species.”For land
with landowners could greatly managers, the ability to underspeed the process of turning stand and prepare for changes
research into management and to the environment likely will
provide solutions to some of have a direct impact on future
the most important environ- business and conservation
mental problems of our time.” efforts. Along with Babbitt
About a dozen, five-acre Ranches and Northern Arizona
experimental gardens will be University, SEGA stakeholders
planted along the elevational include the National Park Serand soil gradients in northern vice, Forest Service, Bureau
Arizona. Because temperature of Land Management and The
decreases with elevation and Arboretum at Flagstaff.
moisture increases, elevation The National Science Founmimics climate change. “By dation and NAU are funding
planting the same species and the $4 million SEGA research
genotypes in multiple gardens, project.
Wide and Varied Science is promoted, supported and
acknowledged by Babbitt Ranches across the Coconino
Plateau. The goal remains to affect a land ethic so that private and public land managers have science-based knowledge and technologies to support the sound stewardship
and conservation of their lands and natural and cultural
resources. Focus areas include:
Community and Relationships ◆ Sustainability
Land Use Ethic ◆ Cross-Disciplinary Programs
A Blend of Natural and Social Sciences
Science and a Sense of Art ◆ Information Dissemination
Regional Planning.
Conservation Projects support efforts to reintroduce
the nearly extinct black-footed ferret: establish a golden
eagle conservation area; and develop habitat for pronghorn antelope and other wildlife species.
Conservation Easements preserve open spaces for the
enjoyment and participation of generations to come.
◆ Cataract Ranch, 34,000 acres to The Nature Conservancy
◆ Cataract Ranch 6,000 acres to Coconino County
◆ CO Bar, 640 acres to Coconino County
Espee and Cataract Ranches
Define Conservation
The word “conservation”
appears in the new Espee and
Cataract Ranches Regional
Conservation and Land Use
Plan and throughout its
pages. While the meaning of
the word may appear to be
self-evident, to the community
of Babbitt Ranches it signi- as good stewards, the more
fies something more complex they are aware of how they
than the simple act of “pre- fit into the grand scheme of
things and the better stewards
serving” or “protecting.”
“To us, the term ‘conserva- they become. That is what
tion’ encapsulates a way of Babbitt Ranches means by
relating to the land that has ‘conservation,’’ he said.
grown out of more than 125 The primary purposes of the
years of learning about and Espee and Cataract Ranches
understanding the natural Regional Conservation and
world,” said Babbitt Ranches Land Use Plan are to provide
a framework for developing
President Bill Cordasco.
To Babbitt Ranches, conser- a targeted conservation provation is described as a pro- gram that will benefit and suscess that takes place within tain the long-term ecological
each individual and must integrity of the region’s native
begin with awareness of the grassland/shrub-steppe landsurrounding environment and scape, and to aid Babbitt
Ranches stakean understanding
holders as they
and appreciation
make land use
of its fundamental
and management
values.
Article V
decisions.
With an aware“Preserving a
ness of these A Land Ethic
large,
unfragvalues comes a
Section 3.
mented expanse
sense of responsiThe land ethic then
of native grassbility and obligareflects the existence
land and shrubtion to care for
of an ecological consteppe habitats
the land. A sense
science, and this in turn
of responsibility reflects a conviction of and the species
and
obligation individual responsibil- that depend upon
them is of increastranslates into the
ity for the health of
ecological
need for individu- the land. Health is the ing
capacity
of
the
land
for
importance.
The
als to be accountof
able for their self-renewal. Conser- rangelands
vation is our effort to
northern Arizona
actions as those
understand and preserve
are
shrinking
actions affect the
this capacity.
and changing in
land.
response to evolv“When
each
ing land uses,
individual understands and accepts his or her invading non-native species
relationship to the land and its and a shifting climate,” said
ecological processes, its plant Cordasco.
communities, its wildlife, and While the future is yet
its productivity to meet human uncharted, Babbitt Ranches
needs—and individuals are intends to make decisions
willing to work together to within the context of a land
embrace those values—then use ethic based on an ecoconscience.
The
the result is good land stew- logical
Espee and Cataract Ranches
ardship,” said Cordasco.
Babbitt Ranches believes the Regional Conservation and
process is circular. “The more Land Use Plan is designed to
people interact with the land assist in that endeavor.
page 7
Conservation
Strategies Identified
for Biotic Community
What began as a golden
eagle conservation plan soon
expanded to include five other
species. It then evolved into
the comprehensive Espee and
Cataract Ranches Regional
Conservation and Land Use
Plan, which will lead to a
natural resource managers’
workshop regarding a rare
cactus this fall.
“There was a lot of interest in golden eagles in particular because of wind power
Chuck Szmurlo
development in the region,”
said Dorothy House, a senior plains cactus, a tiny globular
technical writer for SWCA cactus that is expected to be
Environmental Consultants. federally listed soon as an
“Some biologists believe the endangered species.
with
Babbitt
eagle population is declining, Working
and mortality due to wind Ranches and the Landsward
power development may exac- Foundation, SWCA will host a
erbate the problem. Raptors workshop for natural resource
seem to be more susceptible managers at Northern Arithan other birds to collisions zona University in October to
with wind turbines, perhaps identify protocols for the probecause once they key in on tection of the Fickeisen plains
cactus. The purtheir prey they
pose of the workdon’t detect the
shop is to identify
spinning blades.”
Article VI a set of recomAlong with Babfor
bitt Ranches, as
Sustainable mendations
the U.S. Fish and
SWCA began to
Community Wildlife Service,
develop the plan
Principles
which oversees
it became apparthe protection of
ent that other
Section 5.
endangered spespecies needed
Babbitt Ranches is a
cies.
to be included
in
accordance community that respects Participants will
with the Babbitt other forms of life and include researchsupports biodiversity.
ers and managRanches conserers from Babbitt
vation
philosoRanches, the U.S.
phy, which states,
“With awareness comes a Fish and Wildlife Service,
sense of responsibility and Bureau of Land Management,
obligation to care for the land. National Park Service, Forest
When each individual under- Service, The Navajo Nation,
stands and accepts his or her The Arboretum at Flagstaff
relationship to the land and its and The Nature Conservancy.
ecological processes, its plant “We are all following
communities, its wildlife, and the leadership of Babits productivity to meet human bitt Ranches,” said SWCA
needs—and individuals are Environmental Consultants
willing to work together to Founder and Senior Scientist
embrace those values—then Steve Carothers. “The Babbitt
the result is good land stew- operations are known for their
pioneering spirit and conserardship.”
The plan describes the vation preservation practices,
environmental qualities of demonstrating that ranching
Espee and Cataract Ranches, and cattle can be compatible
including the geology, soils with wildlife preservation.”
and hydrology, and provides The workshop will be spona framework for managing sored by Babbitt Ranches, the
and monitoring targeted spe- Landsward Foundation and
cies, along with conservation SWCA through funding from
objectives and strategies. the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Besides the golden eagle, Service.
species identified include The Babbitt Ranches conthe ferruginous hawk, Gun- servation plan will be a tool to
nison’s prairie dog, the secure funding for future land
black-footed ferret, Ameri- conservation projects.
can pronghorn and Fickeisen
Richard Bartz
Protecting the Prairie Against Plague
Prairie dogs on the Espee Ranch are receiving vaccine-laced Gunnison prairie dog colopeanut butter flavored treats to protect them against plague. nies on nearly 14,000 acres
Considered a keystone species, prairie dogs are important to of the Espee Ranch in 2007,
Mike Lockhart
many other animals such as eagles, hawks, owls and prong- with a population of more than
horn, and are absolutely necessary for the survival of the 53,000 individual prairie dogs. In the years that followed,
endangered black-footed ferret. Wildlife depends on prairie plague was suspected for the drastic reduction in the popudogs for prey or use their burrows for shelter. Prairie dogs lation to fewer than 6,000 prairie dogs. After dusting the
also aerate the soil, which promotes the growth
area with a pesticide to suppress the prevalence
of grasses.
of plague-carrying fleas, wildlife experts say the
Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey
population is rebounding with an estimated numNational Wildlife Center have found the vaccine to
Article VI ber of more than 21,000 prairie dogs.
be highly successful in laboratories in preventing
“Even though the pesticide appears to have
Sustainable been successful, the oral sylvatic plague vaccine
the sylvatic plague, which is generally transmitted
Community is less harmful to the ecosystem, as pesticides
by infected fleas and can have devastating effects
on prairie dog colonies. Other animals can concan impact other insects besides fleas,” said
Principles
tract the deadly disease by eating infected prairie
Cordova.
Section 11.
dogs.
Another threat to prairie dog populations is recThere are two study sites on the Espee Ranch
reational shooting by hunters. “Babbitt Ranches
Babbitt Ranches is a
community that does
where the oral vaccine is being distributed. Jenpaid for signs for us to put up saying that this
not compromise the
nifer Cordova, a wildlife specialist with the Ariwas part of a plague study area and requested
zona Game and Fish Department, says there’s sustainability of other that hunters do their part for conservation by not
communities.
evidence that the prairie dogs are taking the jellokilling prairie dogs in those areas,” she said.
like bait. Cordova, who leads northern Arizona’s
One of the Arizona Game and Fish goals is
black-footed ferret release program, says this is
to recover threatened and endangered species.
significant because the Espee Ranch is one of only two sites Since 2007, 71 black-footed ferrets have been released onto
in Arizona for re-introducing the ferret back into the wild. It is the Espee Ranch with another release scheduled this fall.
one of North America’s most endangered mammals.
“Babbitt Ranches welcomed the reintroduction efforts,” said
“There has been plague on the Espee with prairie dog die- SWCA Environmental Consultants Senior Technical Writer
offs in the past,” she says. “If you don’t have prairie dogs, you Dorothy House. “This is practically unheard of because of the
can’t have black-footed ferrets.”
requirements that are necessary once you have an established
The black-footed ferret depends almost entirely on prairie population of an endangered species on your property.”
dogs for survival. They prey on their young, hide from raptors During the three-year study, researchers will be monitoring
in their burrows, and live in the prairie dog dens.
the success of the vaccine on the Espee Ranch by catching,
An Arizona Game and Fish Department survey identified testing and releasing prairie dogs back to their burrows.
BABBITT TIMES REVIEW
page 8
Today is Today
Embrace It!
Babbitt Ranches
Flagstaff, Arizona
928.774.6199  P. O. Box 520, Flagstaff, AZ 86002  www.babbittranches.com
© 2012 Chris Couture
August 2013