The proposed project would establish a Walking Box Museum/Interpretive Center and Field Research and Training Center (FRTC) at the site of the historic Walking Box Ranch.

Located in the Piute Valley ACEC at the northern boundary of the Mojave Desert Preserve, the proposed museum/interpretive center would provide tours and interpretive displays on cultural and historical topics, as well as topics related to the Mojave Desert, to K-12 students, citizens of the state, and visitors. Educational and historical programs would inform the public about the history of the main house, outbuildings, and ranch lands, as well as educate the public about conservation and preservation efforts underway in Piute Valley.

The FRTC would provide a natural desert setting where students, researchers, educators, federal land management agency personnel, and the public can focus on issues that increase knowledge and understanding of the natural and cultural resources of the Mojave Desert. The mission of the FRTC will be to educate people on issues related to responsibility for conservation, sustainability, and stewardship of the natural and cultural resources in the Mojave Desert, and to provide research opportunities to enhance understanding and management of desert lands and environments.

A master planning and preservation planning process has been undertaken in support of this vision for the Walking Box Ranch. The master plan and preservation plan have been combined to form a single document, which is henceforth referred to as the Development Concept Plan (DCP).