Greetings!
Happy Holidays!
It's certainly a busy time of year - parties, traveling, shopping, wrapping... 'Tis the season! As we enjoy this time with our families and friends, we hope that you are able to find time to enjoy our beautiful desert, as well. The surprise snow on the mountains last week, the gorgeous sunsets, the view from the trails at P.A. Seitts Preserve at Go John Canyon - all serve to remind us of the quiet beauty around us every day.
Desert Foothills Land Trust is continuing our efforts to protect this special place - working with private landowners on land conservation options, exploring land acquisition possibilities, managing sensitive natural areas, maintaining trails and connecting the community to this beautiful landscape. All of this work is supported by members and donors like you who generously support this work through financial contributions.
Wishing you a joyous holiday season, Sonia Perillo, Executive Director
Desert Foothills Land Trust |
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| Wonderful 20th Anniversary Celebration! | |
On December 1, more than 150 guests gathered to celebrate 20 years of land conservation successes in our Desert Foothills communities. The Tohono Center ballroom at el Pedregal provided a wonderful setting for the celebration. Guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, as well as brief presentations by president Pat O'Brien, executive director Sonia Perillo and founding board member and former president Chuck Bune. The speakers encouraged the gathered supporters to continue their efforts to protect special lands in this community. They also shared information about how we fit into the national conservation legacy, as well as the search for a conservation buyer for a very special property called the Blue Wash Site (see related conservation buyer story in this newsletter).
We are grateful to the hosts and volunteers who helped put this event together - it was a wonderful evening to reflect on our successes - including 16 nature preserves protecting 620 acres of remarkable lands - and to look toward our future land protection work!
Special thanks to the
generous hosts of the event!
The Boulders, Elizabeth & Richard Burns, Mike & Nancy Honkamp, Nancy S. La Pierre
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Anonymous, Jean & Chip Backlund, Barry & Jean Bingham, Alexandra O. Bjorklund, Gary G. Gerlach & Karen A. Conner, Mary Ellen & Gates Hawn, Lynne & Bob Hoss, Carol Rudolph, Betty Lou Summers & Jim Ioakem
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Susan & Ted Bosler, Phil & Sue Clement, Corky Cockburn, Christine Coleman, Patricia B. Dalton, Carolyn & Glen French, Mary & John Gosule, Mark & Marilyn Nadeau, Pat O'Brien & Andrea Markowitz, Sonia & Adam Perillo, Fred & Cathie Rosenbaum, John & Elaine Thomas, Bob & Ardie Wilkens |
Black Mountain Photo Contest
Winners and Awards Reception |
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People's Choice Award winner Phil Shultz, contest chair Joanne Rebollo, executive director Sonia Perillo and Sonoran News publisher and award presenter Don Sorchych view the cover of the 2012 calendar at the reception on December 7. (Photo by Shari Jo Sorchych) |
Desert Foothills Land Trust hosted a reception for the Black Mountain Photo Contest finalists on December 7. Professional photographers Don Asakawa, Alan Lowy and Jerry Sieve reviewed nearly 70 entries and chose 15 finalists. The professional photographer's selections were exhibited for voting at the Cave Creek Museum, Desert Foothills Library and the Cave Creek Bicycle Festival, as well as on the Land Trust's Facebook page. The votes were tabulated and the People's Choice Award Winner was Phil Shultz! The photographers also chose their top three selections, who were presented with prizes at the reception:
- First Place - Heinz Kagerer
- Second Place - Linda Sakane
- Third Place - Richard M. Coda
The remaining finalists were: Thomas M. Baker, Mike Burns, Mike Doyle, Robert Grebe, Gary Hockett, Margit Kagerer, Juan Loza, Steve Norris, Steven Patricola, Andreas Schmalz and Susan Trogan.
 Phil's beautiful photo is on the cover of the 2012 Black Mountain Photo Contest Calendar, and the remaining finalists' photos can be found inside. The calendar is available at the Land Trust's office for $12 each or two for $20. Call 480-488-6131 or e-mail info@dflt.org for more information.
We are grateful to all of the contest entrants for their work to capture the beauty and significance of the iconic Black Mountain! |
| Attention Holiday Shoppers! |
 You can finish your holiday shopping AND help Desert Foothills Land Trust accomplish its local land conservation mission! We have a variety of books, maps, wildflower seeds, mugs, apparel, hats and other items available for purchase at our office.
Additionally, please consider a gift membership for your friends and loved ones! They will receive information about the Land Trust and invititations to upcoming events and activities. For gift memberships of $50 or more, we  will mail the recipient a package of notecards featuring gorgeous photos of local conserved lands. Contact us at 480-488-6131 or info@dflt.org for more information.
Thank you for your support of this important work! |
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Annual Meeting January 25, 2012 | |
Please join us for the
Desert Foothills Land Trust
Annual Meeting
Wednesday,
January 25, 2012
5:30 pm-7:30 pm
Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center
7415 E. Elbow Bend
Carefree, AZ
Learn about the Land Trust's activities over the last year, as well as plans for the coming year. Refreshments will be provided.
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Staff Changes | |
We were saddened to say goodbye to conservation director Stacy Fischer in November. Stacy left the staff after more than four years of work in order to spend more time with her family and their family business. We are deeply grateful for Stacy's contributions to the Land Trust's conservation work, and we are also thrilled that she has joined the ranks of our volunteers!
In early December we welcomed a new conservation director, Vicki Domonkos. Vicki has been in Arizona for the last year, and prior to that move had worked with a land trust in Ohio for seven years. She has an extensive history with both land acquisition and stewardship efforts and has already hit the ground running for the Land Trust. We invite you to contact Vicki at vdomonkos@dflt.org or stop by the office to say 'hello!'
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Conservation Buyer Wanted | |
The Blue Wash Site is a 5.7-acre tract adjacent to Tonto National Forest. The property includes the ruins of a Hohokam village that has been excavated over the last 30 years. More work remains to be done!
The Land Trust would like to ensure the long-term protection of the site by working with a conservation-minded buyer who would acquire the property with the intention of working with the Land Trust to protect it, as well as working with the Desert Foothills Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society to allow continued research activities.
The property is currently listed for sale for $449,000 and includes a residence (of the modern variety!) and fantastic views of the Superstition Mountains. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Land Trust executive director Sonia Perillo at 480-488-6131 or sperillo@dflt.org. | |
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SONORAN STARS 2012!
Save the Date |  |
Save the date for our 17th annual Sonoran Stars fundraising event on Saturday, April 28, 2012! The evening will feature a fabulous dinner by Tonto Bar & Grill, a live and silent auction, a raptor release by Wild at Heart, and a classic Western music performance by the legendary Sons of the Pioneers. Mark the date - you don't want to miss this event! |
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Quick Links | |
Desert Foothills Land Trust (www.dflt.org)
Archived e-newsletters are available here!
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