Subject: [Tweeters] Fwd: Ash Canyon Nature Sanctuary
Date: Thu Oct 31 23:55:23 PDT 2019
From: Dan Reiff - dan.owl.reiff at gmail.com

Hello Tweeters community,

Great news regarding Ash Canyon from my friend Tony Battiste in Arizona.
See letter below, which is also attached.

Dan Reiff
Mercer Island

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:


> From: Tony Battiste <tony.battiste at yahoo.com>

> Date: October 31, 2019 at 1:10:15 PM PDT

>

> Subject: Fw: Ash Canyon Nature Sanctuary

>

>

> ----- Forwarded Message -----

> From: Tony Battiste <tony.battiste at yahoo.com>

> To: Tony Battiste <tony.battiste at yahoo.com>

> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2019, 01:00:41 PM MST

> Subject: Fw: Ash Canyon Nature Sanctuary

>

>

> Subject: Ash Canyon Nature Sanctuary

>

> Hello Dear Friends

>

> Please read the attached letter. Since the death of our dear friend Mary Jo Ballator on May 25th, I've worked tirelessly to find a way to save the nature sanctuary she devoted her life to creating. Thanks to a generous donation by Dr Mario Molina and wife, Therese, as of tomorrow, Ash Canyon will now be in the hands of the Southeast AZ Bird Observatory.

>

> Please read in its entirety

>

> Tony

>

Hello Dear Family and Friends

Most of you are already aware of the untimely passing of our dearest friend, Mary Jo Ballator on May 25th. Mary Jo was the creator and steward of the Ash Canyon Nature Center, previously, Ash Canyon B&B. Since her passing, we, the birding community here is SE Arizona, have worked feverishly to acquire the capital to fund the purchase price of the property, so as to be able to continue the operation of the sanctuary that Mary Jo created over almost 20 years of passionate toil.

Well, I'm ecstatic to report that as of Nov 1, 2019, ASH CANYON NATURE SANCTUARY has been acquired by the SOUTHEASTERN BIRD OBSERVATORY, (SABO).
SABO is a local nonprofit, 501(c)3, dedicated to the conservation of birds, and their habitats, is known for its hummingbird research, environmental and educational outreach. Tom Wood and Sheri Williamson are the directors and I am one of the newest members to their board of directors.

After the death of Mary Jo, the garden was closed to day visitors. But after meeting with her daughter, Debra Lindes and her son, David, it became apparent that they wished to carry on their mother's desire that Ash Canyon would continued to be operated as a nature sanctuary in perpetuity. At that point, a Go Fund Me account was opened with two objectives. 1: In the short term, to re-open as soon as possible so as to have continuity for the birds and the visiting public. 2: To try to find a way to purchase the property for sterwadship through a nonpofit organization. Thanks to Robert Gallucci, GFM organizer, the short term goal was accommplished through donations sufficeint enough to pay for feeding the birds through the summer. The long term goal was reached when a philanthropist friend in Calif, agreed to fund the purchase of Ash Canyon with a MAJOR donation to SABO. Although, Dr. Joseph Mario Molina and wife, Therese Flynn-Molina, would prefer no special acknowledgement for their generoisty, I feel if is of utmost importance to do so here.

But now, the hard work really begins. After years of Mary Jo's struggles to just make ends meet, the home and property fell in need of much infrastructure repairs. The exterior of the straw-baled home has cracks and holes that need repair. The swamp cooler is beyond its usable life. Both bathrooms need tile work to complete. The 4 burner stove has only one functional burner. The raidiant floor heating system hook up has never been completed. Two sliding doors to the exterior need repair or replacement. The perimeter of the yard needs 6 Ft field fencing to deter intrusion by bear and javelina..

SABO has no operating capital to remedy these major issues, so I'm reaching out to you, some for the first time, and others that have previously responded to my appeal by donating to the GFM, to give deep consideration to making a major donation to SABO. A donation of $150, the Lucifer Hummingbird level, give free addmission for a year, Donations of $151-$499, $500-$999, 1000-$4999 and $5000 and up, all will have special designations and will be acknowledged through SABO's webpage, www.sabo.org, and at the sanctuary with appropriate plaques. Those of you that wish to send your check to me, please make them out to SABO then in the memo section, Ash Canyon Nature Sanctuary or ACNS. Those that want to charge their donations, go to www.sabo.org and click on SUPPORT SABO, then click on MAKE a DONATION. Scroll to bottom to DONATE TO ASH CANYON BIRD SANCTUARY, enter your generous amount.

Our mailing address for those sending checks is:4700 Robert Smith Ln
Hereford AZ 85615

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU

Tony and Julie Battiste

> Tony and Julie Battiste

> Battiste Bed, Breakfast and Birds

>

> 4700 Robert Smith Ln

> Hereford AZ 85615

> Phone: 520-335-1030

> www.battistebedandbirds.com

>

>

>

> To all day birders that may want to visit our feeder station, please phone ahead of your intended visit. Donations graciously accepted.

>



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