"Southeast Arizona is like no other place. A collection of high mountains surrounded by desert seas, the "Sky Islands" are islands of rock, islands of vegetation, and islands of wildlife. It is an area that hosts the most eclectic collection of natural and American history anywhere." - from "The Sky Islands of Southeast Arizona," by Kate Crowley and Mike Four major biotic zones converge in Southeastern Arizona: the Chihuahuan, Mohavian, Sierra Madrian and Sonoran. Within this region are numerous mountain ranges - referred to metaphorically as sky islands. The most well known to naturalists are, from east to west, the Chiricahuas, the Huachucas and the Santa Ritas. The region can be further divided into five life zones. From an Elevation of 2,389 feet in Tucson to the top of Mt. Wrightson at 9,434 the major plant communities are desert scrub, grassland, brushland, oak woodland, and pine forest. As the majestic rock formation of Mt. Wrightson gives way to grasslands and "desert seas" the Santa Ritas are eventually surrounded by the Sonora Desert to the north and the west and by the grasslands of Sonoita and Patagonia to the east and the south. The Arizona Desert is widely considered the most beautiful desert in the world. Visiting during one of its prime bloom periods promises the lucky visitor an unforgettable experience. Zoologists and botanists know it to be one of the richest areas in the world.

Positioned to the North and in the middle of the Santa Rita Range is Madera Canyon. Carved out by Madera Creek which flows northward to join the Santa Cruz River, this canyon is home to a vast number of insects, mammals and birds. The lush riparian habitat provides the perfect breeding grounds for such avian specialties as the Elegant Trogon, Painted Redstart, Broad-billed and Magnificent Hummingbirds, Elf and Whiskered Screech owls. In fact, over one hundred species of birds are known to breed in Madera Canyon. Tens of thousands of birders have made the trek here in search of fourteen species of hummingbirds, seven species of owls, and over 230 species of birds that frequent this beautiful canyon.