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E-newsletter and community survey
March 2014
 We want to hear from you!   
DFLT launches community survey

Desert Foothills Land Trust has been working on a new and improved strategic plan! We know, we know - this is not usually the most exciting news for most readers. However, it is truly important to ensure that your land trust is stable, sustainable and impactful. And we believe it IS exciting to dream big dreams, and to develop the plans to reach them!

Part of our planning process involves reaching out to you, our community of supporters and partners, to help us refine the goals and strategies of our plan. We want to learn more about what "local land conservation" means to you, what conservation and community assets are valued, how you like to hear from the Land Trust and other details.

The survey can be found HERE, and we estimate that it will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Responses before March 17 will be most helpful, but the survey will remain live through the end of the month.  Please contact us at 480-488-6131 or email us at info@dflt.org if you want to participate but would like to take the survey in print or by telephone.

And even without the survey, we always want to hear from you. Please don't hesitate to call our office to share your own thoughts, ideas and big dreams about protecting the landscape you love!


 

 

 

The lure of the Sonoran Desert is strong; so is the desire to protect this beautiful place. DFLT is pleased to launch a newly designed program called "Focus on the Foothills" to share the natural history of this special place with our community.

The interactive four-week field course will be held on Saturdays in March and includes both classroom and trail time on DFLT preserves. Informative and entertaining experts include local authors, archeologists and geologists, and more.  

Sessions, held on consecutive Saturdays from 9 a.m.- noon, begin March 8th and end March 29th.  Upon completion of the course, those who wish to become a Volunteer Preserve Steward may elect to attend a free session on Saturday, April 5th.  

 

March 8, 2014

Jewel of the Creek Preserve

Plant adaptations, mining history, desert riparian habitats

 

March 15, 2014

P.A. Seitts Preserve

History of homesteading, wildflowers

 

March 22, 2014 

H.B. Wallace Preserve at Lone Mountain 

Geology, plants, wildflowers 

 

March 29, 2014

Preserve at the Cave

Archaeology, history

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Optional Class for those interested in becoming hike leaders and/or Preserve Stewards.

 

April 5, 2014

Carefree Galloway Wash Preserve

Techniques of leading hikes and collecting data in the field 

  

SPACE IS VERY LIMITED SO SIGN UP TODAY!

 

COST: $35 for all four classes and includes  

a t-shirt and refreshments

 

 Click here to register or call 480.488.6131 x 3

Saturday, April 26, 2014
Los Cedros USA in Scottsdale

 

Sonoran Stars will feature a wonderful dinner by Chef Tony Rea. Photo by Gene Devine. 

Guests to this year's 19th Annual Sonoran Stars will be treated to a fabulous evening on Saturday, April 26. The Land Trust will once again hold the annual event at the elegant and majestic Los Cedros USA equestrian facility at 8700 E. Black Mountain Road in north Scottsdale.

Los Cedros is a stunning venue with immaculate stables, a large courtyard and lush gardens. Our guests will be treated to an entertaining horse show, classic Western music by the Bill Ganz Western Band, and a gourmet dinner by Creations in Cuisine Chef Tony Rea.  We will have an exciting live and silent auction, and will, of course continue with our tradition of the release of a rehabilitated owl by our partners at Wild At Heart.   

The incredible Los Cedros stables feature Moroccan decor. Photo by Jon Klas. 

   

"We simply cannot accomplish our important mission without the generous support of Sonoran Stars sponsors, guests and other donors," said executive director Sonia Perillo.

 
Sonoran Stars will begin at 5 p.m.

with a cocktail hour and  silent auction, and will feature an open bar and appetizers. Guests will then enjoy the horse show and a lovely dinner.  As dinner winds down, auctioneer Letitia Fry will conduct a high-energy live auction that will include a number of unique items and experiences. Throughout the evening, guests can stroll among Los Cedros' tranquil landscaping and explore the horse stables, home to magnificent horses from a number of breeds. 

 

Horses are the stars of the evening! Photo by Jon Klas.
Tickets to Sonoran Stars are $250 per person. Sponsor tables for 10 guests and premium sponsor packages are available. Guests are encouraged to dress in casual or Western attire and to anticipate cool evening temperatures. Valet parking will be available onsite. Click here to reserve tickets or call (480) 488-6131. Reserve your tickets or table soon - the event sold out in 2013!

 

  
Upcoming events, opportunities, and preserve tours


Saturdays in March - Beginning on March 8th
Focus on the Foothills natural history classes
Click here for details and online registration

Sunday, March 9
10:00-11:30 am
Jewel of the Creek Preserve tour (an AZ SciTech Festival event)
Click here for details and online registration

Thursday, March 13
10:00-11:30
Story time tour at Caroline Bartol Preserve at Saguaro Hill (an AZ SciTech Festival event)

Saturday, March 22
(Rescheduled from March 1) 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Info booth at Spur Cross Expo (11:00 am tour of Jewel of the Creek Preserve)

Saturday March 29 and
Sunday March 30
Info booth at AZ Game & Fish Outdoor Expo,
Ben Avery Shooting Range
 ~and~
Info booth
at Anthem Days,
Anthem Community Park.
Volunteers needed for both of these events.

Saturday, April 19
9:00 am
Preserve at the Cave Tour
Click here for details and online registration.

Saturday, April 26
5:00 pm
Sonoran Stars
at Los Cedros USA in Scottsdale
Click here for details and online ticket purchases.

All Land Trust tours are free, but space is limited and reservations are required. Many hikes fill up, so register soon!
Kraig Nelson Recognized as
2013 Volunteer
of the Year
At the Annual Meeting in February, volunteer Kraig Nelson was recognized as the 2013 Volunteer of the Year.  Kraig volunteers for the Land Trust in nearly all possible capacities - he is the Desert Enclave and Galloway Wash Preserve Steward, staffs numerous information booths and events, researches and writes a variety of articles on local history and natural history, and helps out in the office every week. Kraig is well-known for his love of puns, so staff honored him with a very "punny" award at the annual meeting!  We are grateful to Kraig, and to the dozens of volunteers he represents, who share their time, talent and enthusiasm with the Land Trust and the community. This conservation work would not be possible without Kraig and volunteers like him! 
Kraig Nelson (left, pictured with staff members Mary Warren, Sonia Perillo and Vicki Preston) was recognized as the 2013 Volunteer of the Year at the DFLT Annual Meeting in February. 

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Desert Foothills Land Trust (www.dflt.org)
  
 Become a Land Trust VOLUNTEER!
  
Archived e-newsletters are  available here!