Newsletter # 6  --- April 6, 2006

Dear Friends,

Your Sonoran Conservancy Board has elected to drop the term “member’ in that the organization does not have functioning programs for “members” but rather they depend on your contributions to support the many volunteer programs they do sponsor. Our annual request for funding appears each Fall, although we do appreciate contributions at any time.

Here is a summary of what volunteers have accomplished since last year:

• Since last October, 36 trail building volunteers have worked 720 hours to create the

Western Loop trail. This newest trail is 2.2 miles long and climbs over 600 feet in the McDowell mountains to top out at 3,085 ft.

Fantastic views in all directions. From this point you are able to recognize the taller buildings along Central Ave. in Phoenix as well as areas in Mesa, Scottsdale, and all the green agricultural fields along the Verde River as it passes through the Fort McDowell indian reservation.

• 13 persons served as Trail Guides during the winter and early Spring (62 volunteer hours)

Although guides are available three days per week (Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday) we only had 71 persons register to walk with them.

• Until the Preserve is open to the Public full time, we believe our only hikers are visitors or first time residents. There are several opportunities in the Spring and Fall to schedule specific hikes with specific emphasis. For example, Spring flowers, photo excursions, or a geology review. Watch for announcements and join in.

Thank You Volunteers

Art Ammon	Paul Appeldom	Carol Ayres
Aaron Chasse	George Chasse	Pam Cissik
Doug Downey	Bob Ellis	Jim Garvin
Chuck Gauthier	Dave Gillman	Scott Gourley
Jeremay Hall	Don Hammel	Frank Jakubs
Grace Jakubs	Steve Jelacic	Jan Jensen
Shelley Johnson	Bev Kinsey	Roy Kinsey
Gordana Djordjevic	Paul Krusa	Will LaFollette
Jay Lawrence	Estelle Mazzotta	David Petersen
Joe Polese	Annie Rollins-Protas	Tom Rosin
Bruce Hansen	Cassie Hansen	Darka Harniak
Bohdan Harniak	Donna Haustowich	Sandy Heunisch
Bill Jaeger	Justin Saltzman	Bob Sanders
Dillon Sanders	Wayne Tall	Bill Trask
Toni Vallee	Steve Verge	Pat Wainwright

Future Programs

Development of the Central trailhead and access to the Preserve is on hold until MCO Inc. initiates their development of Adero Canyon. Since timing is dependent on a real estate market, restricted access will likely remain for several years. Meanwhile, in conjunction with the Preserve Master Plan, the Sonoran Conservancy is selecting programs that will prepare the Preserve for an eventual flood of the Public.

The next major program for the Sonoran Conservancy is to establish the route and define the cost elements required to construct and equip an “Easy Access to the View” trail for persons with limited mobility. During the remainder of this year we will collect data and prepare a detailed project profile suitable for submission to grant applications.

One Eagle Scout candidate has chosen to locate his project in the Preserve. He will be clearing the ground and constructing a bench in an area part way up the Town Overlook trail.

Speaking of the Overlook, we want to sponsor the creation of a 180 degree railing holding a panoramic duplication of the horizon. This will help to identify points of interest such as mountain peaks and Verde valley areas.

All these projects will require volunteers and funding. Please, if any of the above attracts your interest enough to volunteer just phone Roy at (480) 837-3253.

Our Business Report

A comparison of the organization and function of two Fountain Hills preservation groups who work in harmony to achieve the goals of the Preserve Master Plan.

	McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission	Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills
	Town Government	Non-Profit
Mission	Preserve & Plan Land Use	Support Conservation
Manpower	Town Council Appointed	Volunteer Membership
Actions	Recommendations to Town Council	Training-Trail Building-Guiding Hikes

• Our Total Trust Fund Balance is $6,355. This balance represents an accumulative combination of contributions during the past 3 years.

If you have not joined with our Friends, consider it ...Today

Just click the application form link on our main web page under “Public Participation”.