By Scottsdale Mayor David D. Ortega
Photos courtesy of city of Scottsdale
Dear Scottsdale Families,
Scottsdale is home to the beautiful McDowell Sonoran Preserve, a 57-square -mile natural open space preserved by the city for residents and visitors to enjoy in perpetuity. The preserve is permanently protected and is comprised of sustainable desert habitat that includes an interconnected network of non-motorized, multi-use trails (hike, bike, horse) accessed from 12 trailhead locations. Creating the preserve was a multi-year preservation effort that gained traction in the 1990s. As a citizen-driven effort, residents successfully advocated for the creation of the preserve in 1994 and voters approved a dedicated sales tax for preserve expansion in 1995.
In partnership with our friends at the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, an independent nonprofit organization, the city of Scottsdale maintains the preserve to keep the area safe for wildlife, visitors, and to prevent brush fires. This is an ongoing effort that requires professional staffing, volunteers, special equipment, education, maintenance, fire prevention, and funding. It is estimated that 750,000 residents and visitors use the preserve each year. Fire prevention in this area is of great importance to protect the public, nearby homes, and wildlife. Scottsdale Fire, along with partners, continuously monitor the preserve and implement fire prevention measures wherever possible.
We are all stewards of this shared natural resource and have a responsibility to keep the preserve safe, clean, and natural. Many residents have chosen to volunteer for the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy to actively devote their time in maintaining this community jewel, while enjoying the outdoors.
Dr. Amanda Hofmann-Handy, CEO of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy explains, “At McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, we value our partnership with the city of Scottsdale. Together, we work to preserve and enhance the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, ensuring it remains a vital natural resource for future generations. With the help of our 600-plus steward volunteers, the collaboration allows us to implement effective conservation strategies, maintain trails, and promote environmental education.”
This November Scottsdale voters will have an opportunity to vote on replacing and reprogramming the dedicated sales tax that was approved for the preserve in 1995. If approved, the replacement sales tax will be at a lower rate than the 1995 tax and will be reprogrammed and broadened to allow for maintenance of the preserve and 48 parks throughout Scottsdale. In addition, approved funds would be utilized for additional park rangers and fire department resources at every site.
