For Immediate Release:  April 7, 2007

Contact: Lorraine Buck, (520) 258-7240

EMPIRE RANCH FOUNDATION RECOGNIZED

The Empire Ranch Foundation, a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) partner organization, was recently recognized by the Association of Partners for Public Lands (APPL) with the organization’s Public Lands Partnership Excellence Award for 2008. The award was presented to Empire Ranch Foundation board member Sara Miller, at the APPL’s convention in Denver, Colorado, in February 2008.

Since 1997, the Empire Ranch Foundation, based in Sonoita, has worked in cooperation with the BLM’s Tucson Field Office to stabilize and protect the historical buildings and landscape of the Empire Ranch Headquarter as an outstanding western heritage and education center. The Empire Ranch is part of BLM’s Las Cienegas National Conservation Area.

Among the foundation’s many accomplishments are its "fund and friend raisers" such as the very popular Empire Ranch Roundup each fall, and the annual "Empire 100" Western Art Show and Sale, which features a juried exhibition of nationally recognized western artists from throughout the United States.

"It is my pleasure to offer my sincere congratulations to the Empire Ranch Foundation on this highly deserved award," said Gila District Manager, Tom Dabbs, who oversees the Tucson Field Office. "The work of the foundation is indispensable; I look forward to another productive year of collaboration."