HawkWatch International to Spread its Wings in Tucson with Gift of 16 Acres to Support Conservation and Education
“The Roost” Will Be a Hub for Conservation of Raptors and Other Wildlife in Southern Arizona, the Sky Island Region, and Beyond
TUCSON, Ariz. (March 17, 2026) — HawkWatch International (HWI), a global leader in raptor research, conservation, and education, announced today that it received a transformational donation of 16 acres in Tucson, Arizona, allowing it to amplify its impact in one of North America’s most ecologically significant regions.
To be called “The Roost,” the site in North Central Tucson is being evaluated and rehabilitated as the organization plans how best to support conservation, education, and community engagement goals.
A LASTING LEGACY
Gifted to HWI by a Tucson donor who wishes to remain anonymous, the property has hosted several of the organization’s bird nesting boxes for the past five years.
“When we began thinking about the future of this property, it was important to us that it continue to serve as a place where wildlife could thrive,” said the donor. “HawkWatch International’s mission and long history of conservation and education made them a natural steward for the land, and we’re excited to see how it supports their work in southern Arizona for generations to come.”
HawkWatch International Executive Director Nikki Wayment said the organization is extremely grateful for the generous donation. “A gift of this size and scope—located in a place that is locally, regionally, and globally significant for raptors and other wildlife—is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and a great way to celebrate our 40th anniversary,” she said. HWI grew from a series of grassroots raptor migration studies in the 1970s and was established as a nonprofit organization in 1986.
Kevin Dahl, Tucson City Council Member for Ward 3, emphasized the gift’s community value. “This donation represents a meaningful investment in conservation and environmental education in Tucson, and as it turns out, in my ward,” he said. “I look forward to working with HawkWatch International, neighboring residents, and community partners like the Tucson Bird Alliance, as plans for the property take shape.”
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Specific plans for the site’s future uses are yet to be determined. “As we consider possibilities for the property, we will be guided by the donor’s desire to keep the property as accessible as possible to wildlife, many of which regularly visit its mature trees, ponds, and open fields,” said Wayment.
Over the coming months, HWI will evaluate the property, focusing on environmental stewardship, alignment with HWI’s mission, and community engagement with local organizations and residents. “Following a thorough visioning effort, we look forward to sharing details on how the property and its buildings will be used going forward,” Wayment said.
DEEPENING HWI’S WORK IN ARIZONA
The Roost adds to HawkWatch International’s 35-year presence in Arizona, where the organization conducts world-renowned monitoring, research, and educational programming, such as CARES (Cavity Adopting Raptor Ecology Studies) nest-box monitoring by volunteer community scientists. CARES kicked off its 2026 efforts in February at The Roost.
The donation reflects growing recognition of the importance of protecting habitat, supporting science-based conservation, and creating opportunities for people to connect with birds of prey and the landscapes they depend on.
“Southern Arizona plays a critical role in raptor migration, research, and public education,” said Wayment. “This substantial donation provides us an opportunity to think strategically about how land stewardship can further our mission while respecting the ecological and community context of the region.”
ABOUT HAWKWATCH INTERNATIONAL
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, HawkWatch International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey and their habitats through research, education, and stewardship. Based in Salt Lake City, with projects across the globe, HWI advances scientific understanding of raptors while inspiring people to care about and protect the natural world. More information is available here on our website, hawkwatch.org. Reporters can find our media kit here.
