Focus on Black Mountain During March

The following article, written by Curtis Riggs, appeared in the Sonoran News in the February 28-March 8 edition. Black Mountain anchors the northern end of the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive.

CAVE CREEK/CAREFREE - A contest designed to bring awareness to the potential development of the landmark that both communities identify with begins this month. 

The Black Mountain Conservancy, a 501(c) 3 organization [Read More] formed last year to help preserve as much of Black Mountain as possible, will be hosting a photo contest of Black Mountain in the month of March. For information about the contest call John Brinkman of Foothills Photo at 480-488-2211 or BMC board member Matt Dingman at 480-595-0545. Brinkman and local photographers Steve Thompson and Jerry Steve will serve as contest judges. 

Dingman speaks of increasing awareness about the importance of preserving the Desert Foothills "most beautiful landmark" [Read More] when stressing the reason for holding such a contest. The wildflowers that typically start showing up on the face of Black Mountain in the spring are the reason for holding the contest in March.

"Black Mountain has probably never looked more beautiful than it has in recent history," he said due to this year promising to be a fine one for wild flowers.

Dingman uses the phrase "easiest sale in the world" when stressing the need to get serious about the preservation of Black Mountain. 

"It's so important for all of us. It's so close to home for everybody," he said of the BMC mission.

He alludes to the recent Spur Cross preservation victory when suggesting that Black Mountain could also be ripe for preservation. Due to much of Black Mountain already being owned privately, the focus is on working with private landowners to get conservation easements and donation of land. 

Only photos taken between March 1, and March 30, 2001 will be eligible for the contest. The top 10 photos will be announced on April 4. Contest winners will be announced in the Sonoran News on April 26.

Photos must be shot on 35-mm color film. Photos submitted must be 8X10 photos. This will make it easier to display the winning photos around the community. At the end of the contest the top 10 photos will be on display. The top five photos selected by a panel of judges will be awarded prizes. There will also be a people's choice award and an honorable mention award. Prizes for the contest range from gift certificates at the Spa at Rancho Manana to horseback rides at Spur Cross Ranch. Certificates at area restaurants and businesses will also be awarded. 

Entry forms were printed in the Sonoran News and are available at local retailers.