Originally the ranch was part of the leased grazing grounds for the Wilson Ranch (now known as Spring Mountain Ranch State Park). The Oliver Ranch was originally owned by William “Bill” Morgan, who created the Morgan Ranch when he homesteaded 160 acres around 1920. In 1937, the ranch was sold to Chauncey Oliver, and it became the Oliver Ranch. It had more than 300 acres. It stayed in the Oliver family until 1993, when it was sold to the Bureau of Land Management.
The BLM hopes to turn the Oliver Ranch into a learning center with housing, classrooms, labs, and wild horse and burro facilities. The center, named Red Rock Desert Learning Center, is envisioned as a residential fifth-grade science school.
The stated mission of the Red Rock Desert Learning Center is “to instill stewardship and respect by increasing knowledge and understanding of the Mojave Desert ecosystems and cultures through a unique experiential discovery program.”
Submissions from 2006
Learning about the Natural World through an Inquiry-based Residential Experience, Red Rock Desert Learning Center
Nature - The Ultimate Classroom, Red Rock Desert Learning Center
Red Rock Desert Learning Center Community Outreach Activities Plan, Red Rock Desert Learning Center
Red Rock Desert Learning Center & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Fact Sheet, Red Rock Desert Learning Center
Red Rock Desert Learning Center & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Frequently Asked Questions, Red Rock Desert Learning Center
Red Rock Desert Learning Center & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Historical Timeline, Red Rock Desert Learning Center
Red Rock Desert Learning Center & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Newsletter, Red Rock Desert Learning Center
Red Rock Desert Learning Center & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Public Meeting PSA for Radio/TV, Red Rock Desert Learning Center
Red Rock Desert Learning Center & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Sketches of Planned Facilities, Red Rock Desert Learning Center
Oliver Ranch Science School Complex & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Annual Progress Report, Year Ending June 30, 2006, Margaret N. Rees
Oliver Ranch Science School Complex & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Final Close-Out Report, Margaret N. Rees
Oliver Ranch Science School Complex & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending March 31, 2006, Margaret N. Rees
Oliver Ranch Science School Complex & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending September 30, 2006, Margaret N. Rees
Oliver Ranch Science School Complex & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending September 30, 2006, Margaret N. Rees
Submissions from 2005
Red Rock Desert Learning Center: The Vision, Red Rock Desert Learning Center
Red Rock Desert Learning Center: The Vision, Red Rock Desert Learning Center
Oliver Ranch Science School Complex & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Annual Progress Report, Year Ending June 30, 2005, Margaret N. Rees
Oliver Ranch Science School Complex & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending December 31, 2005, Margaret N. Rees
Oliver Ranch Science School Complex & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending March 31, 2005, Margaret N. Rees
Oliver Ranch Science School Complex & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending September 30, 2005, Margaret N. Rees
Submissions from 2004
Oliver Ranch Science School Complex & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending December 31, 2004, Margaret N. Rees
Oliver Ranch Science School Complex & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending June 30, 2004, Margaret N. Rees
Oliver Ranch Science School Complex & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending September 30, 2004, Margaret N. Rees
Submissions from 2002
Red Rock Desert Learning Center & Wild Horse and Burro Facility: Oliver Ranch Feasibility Study, Yosemite National Institutes