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Scottsdale publishes new trail map -
The City of Scottsdale has published a new trail map that covers the entire area of the McDowell Mountains. Copies of this full color fold-out map are available at the Preserve parking areas, by calling the City's Preservation Division at (480) 312-7013, or by stopping by the office of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy during regular business hours - 16435 N. Scottsale Rd., Suite 110. A basic overview trail map of the McDowell Mountains is available here.

Scottsdale launches campaign against invasive weeds -
The City of Scottsdale has created a new brochure that outlines the top eight Invasive Weeds (pdf/973kb/2pp) identified to exist in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. For a printed copy, please call the Scottsdale Fire Department at (480) 312-FIRE or (480) 312-3111.  More Info.

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Have you spotted the rare crested saguaro cactus in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve? - This unique plant specimen is located near the small amphitheater at the Lost Dog Wash Access Area.

While the exact cause of this unusual form is unknown, Botanists theorize it may result from genetic mutation or damage from a lightning strike or freezing temperatures.

The majestic plant, prohibited by state law from commercial sale, was seized by the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Preserve staff worked with the Department to find a safe and permanent home in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve for this unusual giant. The crested saguaro is now standing watch along the Lost Dog Wash Trail.

State Land Reform

For a number of years a broad based, diverse consortium of interests from around the State have been meeting to achieve State Land reform. This effort is important to Scottsdale because 16,100 acres of State Trust Land in the planned Preserve Boundary has been reclassified as suitable for conservation by the State (State Trust Land Status). Numerous strategies have been attempted including working through the state Legislature and submitting a proposition to Arizona voters.

There is general consensus that the rules and regulations controling the use of the millions of acres of State Trust Land need updating. Existing State Land laws were put in place at the time of statehood in 1912. Most agree the Arizona of today is much different than the Arizona back then. Laws pertaining to State Land need to be modified to address the needs of the State today. This is particularly urgent and necessary in Arizona's urban areas.

Currently, the State is required by law to sell State Trust land at its highest and best use value. Proceeds go to aid State institutions, primarily the public schools. The State Constitution does not recognize conservation as a possible use of State Trust land. In 1996, then Governor Symington signed into law the Arizona Preserve Initiative (API). The API provided a tool for appropriate State Land in urban areas to be conserved. Strict criteria relating to biological, scenic, and intrinsic values were used to determine whether proposed State Land was eligible for conservation consideration. Eligible land would still need to be sold at the highest and best use price. Recently, issues with the legality of the API have surfaced. This is all the more reason many have been advocating State Land reform.

Gateway Access Area to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve

The Gateway Access Area was dedicated in May 2009. The Gateway is located east of Thompson Peak Parkway, one-half mile north of Bell Road (view map). This Access Area is the largest and most significant entry point to the Preserve. The facility has 200 parking spaces, restrooms, shade ramadas, a dog comfort station, water fountains, and an equestrian staging area with 16 trailer parking spaces, water troughs, hitching rails, and a shade ramada. The Gateway is also the site of the planned Desert Discovery Center.

The Gateway is designed to have a minimal impact on the fragile desert environment. Green building elements incorporated in the facility include solar power generation, rainwater harvesting, solar water heating, rammed earth walls constructed of native soil from on-site excavation, structural steel made of high recycled content, highly efficient mechanical equipment, native landscaping, and parking lot and path surfaces made of stabilized decomposed granite.

Proposed Desert Discovery Center at the Gateway to the Preserve

A joint committee of the Tourism Development Commission and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission has been appointed to manage Phase 2 planning to establish a Desert Discovery Center (DDC) at the Gateway to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The discovery center is envisioned to provide opportunities for residents and visitors to discover the story of the Upper Sonoran Desert. Through exhibits and environmental experiences presented in a natural setting, the center will inspire learning about the desert through its programs designed to encourage preservation and instill a sense of harmony with and respect for the desert environment in which we live.

Phase 1
Planning was completed by a team comprised of ConsultEcon, Inc. and Exhibit Design Associates, who were hired to develop concepts for the DDC through a public involvement process.

View the Report (PDF/16MB/205pp) The report is a big file and may take time to download.

Phase 2
Planning will focus on concept refinements, conducting a statistically significant target market survey to determine the character and content of the DDC preferred by residents, visitors and business interests and identifying preliminary building configuration and design opportunities. A preliminary business plan will be prepared based on the results of these tasks.

 

Contact

The Preservation Division coordinates all activities involving the McDowell Sonoran Preserve for City of Scottsdale.For more information on the City's preservation program you may call Scott Hamilton at (480) 312-7722. For questions on Preserve management, please call Claire Miller at (480) 312-2504. You may also reach us at Preservation@scottsdaleaz.gov.