A $50 million deal announced June 4th. initiates a step toward homes, a small high-end resort, and commercial development of the 1658 acre area surrounding Biosphere 2. Biosphere 2 was purchased by CDO Ranching & Development. CDO Ranch takes its name from "Casa del Oro" a name given the property by owner Lady Margaret, Duchess of Suffolk shortly after she purchased it back in 1957.   The Biosphere 2 facility will apparently be retained as the property has been zoned for 1500 homes, a resort and commercial areas. It has also been approved for educational/research purposes and negotiations are under way with the University of Arizona according to Jerry Hawkins, vice president/investment services who represents CDO Ranching & Development.

Biosphere 2 is located 20 minutes north of Tucson and 90 minutes south of Phoenix, can be toured 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Visitors can explore inside the 3.15 acre structure on a fully guided tour. This tour utilizes a trail traversing most of Biosphere 2's wilderness ecosystems that allows easier access to the public. Entry fees range from $19.95 and down, with discounts for children, AAA, seniors and military. Biosphere was that self-contained multi-environment experiment. The Biosphere was built as an artificial environment that would serve as a model for a human colony on the moon or Mars. Biosphere Website.

  Inside the Biophere  from KJZZ 91.5 FM