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  • 1991

    Incorporates

    Incorporates

    January 1, 1991
    The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy incorporates as a non-profit 501(c)3 and joins the Land Trust Alliance, a worldwide land conservation movement
  • 1993

    Newsletter Launched

    Newsletter Launched

    January 1, 1993
    The Conservancy begins a newsletter called Mountain Lines, offers free hikes into the areas identified for inclusion in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and launches a fourth-grade education program entitled Our McDowell Sonoran Heritage.
  • 1994

    Mcdowell Sonoran Preserve

    Mcdowell Sonoran Preserve

    January 1, 1994
    Scottsdale formally dedicates the initial McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which consists of three parcels of land totaling approximately five square miles.
  • 1995

    Public Outreach

    Public Outreach

    January 1, 1995
    Activities designed to gain public support for the envisioned Preserve continue, including the proclamation of the first McDowell Sonoran Week highlighting events to celebrate our unique environment. Voters approve a sales tax for preservation by 64%!
  • 1996

    Training Volunteers

    Training Volunteers

    January 1, 1996
    The Conservancy begins a trail building program that trains volunteers for work in the Preserve.
  • 1997

    First Staff Member

    First Staff Member

    January 1, 1997
    The Conservancy hires its first staff member, a full time Executive Director, Sandy Bahr.
  • 1998

    First Steward Program

    First Steward Program

    January 1, 1998
    In partnership with Scottsdale Community College, the Conservancy begins the ‘Preserve Steward’ program to train volunteers to be caretakers of the Preserve.
  • 1999

    New Executive Director

    New Executive Director

    January 1, 1999
    Carla becomes the Conservancy’s second Executive Director.
  • 2000

    Arizona Movement

    Arizona Movement

    January 1, 2000
    The Conservancy becomes a key part of the Arizona movement to change the laws in order to facilitate conservation of State Trust Lands.
  • 2004

    One of the Largest Urban Preserves

    One of the Largest Urban Preserves

    January 1, 2004
    Scottsdale voters approved an additional .15% increase in the sales tax for land acquisition and for access area amenities helping to ensure that the McDowell Sonoran Preserve will be one of the largest urban preserves in the country. The Preserve will be larger than Tempe and Paradise Valley combined.
  • 2007

    New Executive Director

    New Executive Director

    January 1, 2007
    Ruthie Carll becomes the Conservancy’s third Executive Director.
  • 2009

    Gateway Trailhead Opens

    Gateway Trailhead Opens

    January 1, 2009
    The LEED Platinum Gateway Trailhead opens. The Conservancy creates a barrier-free nature trail at the Gateway and donates the amenity to the Preserve. The Bajada Nature Trail provides access to those with mobility challenges.
  • 2010

    McDowell Sonoran Field Institute

    McDowell Sonoran Field Institute

    January 1, 2010
    The McDowell Sonoran Field Institute, a research program of the Conservancy, launches a baseline inventory of the flora and fauna of the Preserve.
  • 2011

    20th Anniversary

    20th Anniversary

    January 1, 2011
    The Conservancy celebrates our 20th anniversary with a Founders’ Day celebration and hike in the Preserve, special programming throughout the year, and a community breakfast to showcase our service to the community. Mike Nolan joins the organization as Executive Director.
  • 2012

    The Preserve Grows

    The Preserve Grows

    January 1, 2012
    The Conservancy had another high-growth year as it continued to assist its partners at the City in stewarding the Preserve. Early in 2012, Scottsdale added 4,410 acres to the Preserve and further added 6,393 by the end of 2012. The Preserve, already one of the largest urban preserve in America, now encompasses about 47 square […]
  • 2013

    40,000 Volunteer Hours

    40,000 Volunteer Hours

    January 1, 2013
    To serve the growing Preserve, the Conservancy trained 133 new Stewards (a 50% increase over the preceding year) which helped to surpass 500 active Stewards. Stewards devoted almost 40,000 hours to patrolling and maintaining trails, welcoming visitors and educating the community through hikes, outreach programs, school tours and other key activities.
  • 2013

    Brown’s Ranch Trailhead

    Brown’s Ranch Trailhead

    January 1, 2013
    The Brown’s Ranch Trailhead was dedicated and the trail system was expanded.
  • 2013

    Biological Inventory

    Biological Inventory

    January 1, 2013
    The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Field Institute completed the first-ever biological inventory of the plants and animals of the Preserve, a three-year effort funded by the Pulliam Trust.
  • 2014

    Jane Rau Interpretive Trail

    Jane Rau Interpretive Trail

    January 1, 2014
    The Preserve’s second barrier-free trail, the Jane Rau Interpretive Trail, opened at the Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.
  • 2015

    600 Active Stewards

    600 Active Stewards

    January 1, 2015
    To support the growing Preserve, the Conservancy expanded its volunteer base to nearly 600 active Stewards. They contributed a record 56,000 hours to the Preserve effort during the year.
  • 2015

    Ecological Resource Plan

    Ecological Resource Plan

    January 1, 2015
    The Field Institute completed an Ecological Resource Plan for the Preserve, articulating a long-term vision for protecting the Preserve’s natural resources.
  • 2015

    Center for Native and Urban Wildlife

    Center for Native and Urban Wildlife

    January 1, 2015
    In October, the Field Institute held its first research symposium at Scottsdale Community College, in partnership with that school’s Center for Native and Urban Wildlife. The symposium resulted in new partnerships and research ideas that will directly benefit the Preserve and the greater Phoenix area.
  • 2016

    Junior Citizen Science Festival

    Junior Citizen Science Festival

    January 1, 2016
    Conservancy creates a Junior Citizen Science Festival to provide STEM education opportunities for youth in the Preserve. More than 125 children participate in hands-on activities aimed at teaching them how scientists study nature in the field.
  • 2016

    New Office

    New Office

    January 1, 2016
    After ten years occupying donated office space in the Promenade shopping center, the Conservancy staff moves to a new office that provides much-needed room for meetings and work stations for stewards to use.
  • 2016

    25th Anniversary

    25th Anniversary

    January 21, 2016
    January 21, 2016 marks the 25th anniversary of the formation of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. The Conservancy celebrates the milestone at small events through the year, culminating in a dinner gala on November 4 at Monterra in Westworld attended by 265 guest. The inspirational keynote speaker at the gala was mountain climber Ed Viesturs.
To serve the growing Preserve, the Conservancy trained 133 new Stewards (a 50% increase over the preceding year) which helped to surpass 500 active Stewards. Stewards devoted almost 40,000 hours to patrolling and maintaining trails, welcoming visitors and educating the community through hikes, outreach programs, school tours and other key activities.