McDowell Sonoran Preserve Fast Facts
#1. The effort to create the preserve was formally initiated by residents under the leadership of the McDowell Sonoran Land Trust in 1990.
#2. The vision is to create an integrated Desert Open Space System to be called the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The Preserve will consist of mountains, Sonoran Desert and natural corridors linking open spaces in Scottsdale with open space in adjacent communities and with the Tonto National Forest and the Maricopa County Regional Park. This will create a sustainable natural desert habitat for wildlife, desert flora and for appropriate public use. The objective is that land in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve be preserved in as pristine a state as possible. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission also strongly recommends that the Preserve be available for all to enjoy and experience the Sonoran Desert in an appropriate manner. Strategically located access areas are identified adjacent to the mountains to provide opportunities for appropriate public use
#3. Plans call for the Preserve to include 36,400 acres, 1/3 of Scottsdale’s total land area
#4. 9,513 acres are currently owned and included in the Preserve with 2,762 acres "soon to be added". The original Recommended Study Boundary for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve consists of 16,460 acres of mountain and related desert land. As of October, 1999, the amount of land protected in the boundary includes 8,348 acres currently City owned, 1,766 acres of privately preserved land and 2,762 acres of State Trust Land that has been classified as suitable for conservation by the State Land Commissioner under the Arizona Preserve Initiative (API). In 1998, the City Council added an additional 19,940 acres to the Recommended Study Boundary desired for inclusion in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. 16,600 acres of this area is State Trust land for which the city has submitted a petition (API) to the State for reclassification as suitable for conservation (the 2/15/01 hearing is part of the reclassification process). When added to the original 16,460 acres, the total area proposed for natural desert open space is 36,400 acres or 56 square miles
#5. The importance of saving these lands is underscored by Arizona Game and Fish which considers the McDowell Mountains the most significant wildlife habitat in the Valley - outside the Tonto National Forest.
#6. The McDowell Sonoran Land Trust is a non-profit organization that promotes the Preserve and contributes private funding to land acquisition. Residents volunteers and donations are welcome.
#7. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission is appointed by the Mayor and Council, consists of preservation-minded residents, is an oversight body that assists staff in planning and implementation. The Scottsdale City Council makes the final decision on land acquisition. Current members are William Berkley, Carla, Dennis Carr, Les Conklin, Art DeCabooter (Chair), Laura Fisher, Howard Myer, Darren Smith, Jane Rau, Don Ruff, Darcy Thomas. Commission meetings are open to the public and are generally held on the first Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. in the One Civic Center Building at 7447 E. Indian School Road, 1st floor.
#8. Land desired for the Preserve was identified based on access potential, unique geological, historical, and archaeological features, ecosystem and wildlife habitat, scenic quality, potential for appropriate public use (i.e. hiking, biking, rock climbing, equestrian trails), corridors connecting open space areas
#9. The lands targeted for preservation includes valuable State Trust land along the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive from Happy Valley Road to just south of Jomax Road and includes the Monument and visitor exhibit area. The acquisition of this land will preserve wildlife habitat, protect tourism, and link Scottsdale Road and Phoenix open space to the largest part of the Preserve, which is located east of Pima Road.
#10. Scottsdale voters have consistently supported the Preserve. Proposition 400, passed by voters in 1995, stated that funds collected by a sales tax increase could be used to purchase lands within the then-established Preserve boundaries. The sales tax increase went into effect on July 1, 1995. In September 1996, voters approved the use of Revenue Bonds to acquire land using proceeds from the sales tax increase. In November 1998, voters approved expanding the boundary within which Preserve tax could be used for land acquisition to include 19,940 more acres. In September 1998 voters approved the use of up to $200 million in general obligation bonds. The intent is to use the proceeds from the Preserve tax to pay off any obligation bonds.
#11. This site contains information that describes the relationship between Scenic Corridors and the Preserve and includes a map of the proposed Preserve. [Read More]
##12. For the most current information, consult the Web sites of the City of Scottsdale and McDowell Sonoran Land Trust.[Read More]
#13. For direct information about the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission or the Preserve, call the City of Scottsdale at (480) 312-7013.
