Desert Biosphere Reserve

Desert Biosphere Reserve is a protected research area in Utah's arid landscape containing diverse habitats with sagebrush shrubland and pinyon-juniper woodlands across multiple elevation zones. The varied terrain and soil types allow scientists to study how dry ecosystems function under different conditions.

The site was established as an experimental research station in 1933 and received UNESCO recognition as a biosphere reserve in 1976. This designation ended in 2017, though scientific work at the location continued.

The reserve contributes to scientific understanding through extensive research programs focused on desert ecology, agricultural practices, and ecosystem management.

Visitors should prepare for the dry environment with adequate water and clothing for changing temperatures. Exploration outside marked trails is restricted to protect research activities and vegetation.

The property contains historic structures built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps that reflect the era's work programs. These buildings offer insight into construction methods and work practices during the Great Depression.