The New Art Gallery at Cave Creek is supporting Desert Foothills Land Trust by donating 20 percent of all sales during the month of March!  Visit the Gallery at 6061 E. Cave Creek Road to see and purchase works by Gerald Ruggiero (artist of Centuries in the Desert, pictured here), Becky Joy and Jim Kropp.  The Gallery also hosted a reception for the Land Trust on March 4, giving us the opportunity to talk about our conservation work with local residents and visitors to the gallery.  We hope you'll support the Land Trust and New Art Gallery - stop by soon! 

At the Annual Meeting on January 27, Desert Foothills Land Trust presented State Land Commissioner Maria Baier with their highest honor, the Desert Tortoise Award, given for sustained commitment to land conservation.  Maria Baier was appointed Land Commissioner by Governor Jan Brewer in June 2009.  She is responsible for managing millions of acres of State Trust Land across the state and is working with a diverse group of stakeholders on State Trust Land reform initiatives. 
 
Baier has been a long-time friend of the Land Trust.  In her role on Governor Fife Symington's staff, Baier worked to help secure the Arizona Preserve Initiative (API) legislation and its funding source, the $220 million Growing Smarter Grants Program, which have made many subsequent State Trust Land conservation projects possible.  Baier also spoke at the dedication for one of the Land Trust's most significant preserves, P.A. Seitts at Go John Canyon.  That preserve was purchased from the State Land Department through the API, and was named in memory of Baier's friend, API advocate and former Land Trust executive director P.A. Seitts.  

Baier also spoke about the status of State Trust Land reform efforts at the meeting, and Land Trust Board and staff members reported on significant achievements in fiscal year 2009, including protection of the 80-acre Sierra Vista Sanctuary and our merger with the Black Mountain Conservancy.  Representatives also reported on major goals and objectives for 2010, particularly our ongoing work with the Town of Cave Creek to acquire and protect approximately 4,000 acres of State Trust lands. 

The Boulders celebrated their 25th Anniversary in January with a golf tournament and silent auction to raise funds for five area charities, including Desert Foothills Land Trust.  They blew their initial fundraising goal of $25,000 out of the water, instead raising more than $60,000!  The Land Trust was presented with a check for $12,379.07!  We are thrilled to have been included in this wonderful event, and are grateful to The Boulders staff and community for their generosity. Congratulations to The Boulders on 25 years as an important part of the Desert Foothills community!  

Wallace Desert Garden has invited Desert Foothills Land Trust supporters to attend an open house and art exhibition featuring the botanical paintings of Dan Perin on Sunday, March 21 from 1-4 pm.  50% of all art sales will be donated to the Gardens.  Admittance is by invitation and reservation only - contact the Gardens at 480-488-8003 or info@wallacedesertgardens.org.

   

The Wallace Desert Gardens were founded by H.B. and Jocelyn Wallace in 1987.  H.B. and Jocelyn are also the donors of the Wallace Lone Mountain Preserve, a 78-acre conservation easement held by the Land Trust and located adjacent to the Wallace Desert Garden. 

 

We want to thank the volunteer crew from VOAz (Volunteers for Outdoor Arizona) for their hard work on a number of stewardship projects at the Jewel of the Creek in early January.  Led by Mike Snodgrass and Julie Binter, the team maintained trails, added stone steps in key areas, repaired drainage issues, and closed several unauthorized trails.  We are pleased to again partner with VOAz for this important land management effort.  Even after the tremendous flooding later that month, the volunteers' hard work paid off.  While there was extensive trail damage on lower trails, the drainage repairs and stairs made by the volunteers held up well!

 

 

Hike at Jewel of the Creek Preserve, Saturday 3/27, 9:00 am

 

FORCE Trail Run - Kids' 2K Desert Awareness fun run/walk; 5K run/walk; 10K run.  Meet at Spur Cross Ranch parking area, Saturday 4/3, 7:00 am (Register at www.cavecreektrailrun.com by 4/1 - no day-of registration)

 

Hike at Black Mountain, Friday 4/9, 8:00 am

 

Sonoran Stars, Saturday 4/24, 5:30 pm 

 

Please help us receive this significant, renewed CHALLENGE GRANT supporting the critical work of Desert Foothills Land Trust.  Our goal is to raise $150,000 by September 30, 2010.  Please join as a member or renew your membership today! 

 

*Conservation only receives 2% of all charitable giving.  Most people believe it deserves more. (Source: Giving USA)