Scottsdale Partnership

The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy works side-by-side with the City of Scottsdale to ensure completion, management and public appreciation of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  Land within the Preserve is owned by the City of Scottsdale, or is permanently protected by zoning. In 1995, Scottsdale voters approved a two-tenths of one percent sales tax increase to purchase land in the 16,460 acre original Recommended Study Boundary (RSB). In 1998, voters approved using the sales tax to purchase land in the 19,940 acre expanded RSB. A total of 16,600 acres of the expanded RSB is State Trust Land. In August 2001, the State Land Commissioner, reclassified 13,021 acres of the 16,600 acres as suitable for preservation. When completed, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve will be one of the largest urban preserves. The Preserve will be larger than Tempe and Paradise Valley combined.

The ballot language for the 1995 sales tax election (Proposition 400) stated funds collected by the sales tax increase are to be used for land acquisition only within Scottsdale's city boundaries. Funds for maintenance, management and for Preserve amenities such as trails, picnic areas and such need to come from other sources, including private fund-raising efforts. 

In May 2004 Scottsdale voters approved an additional .15% sales tax increase to continue land acquisitions within the RSB and provide funding for access areas and improvements.

Caring for Scottsdale’s 1.8 billion year old treasure is not easy.  The City has a small staff charged with acquiring and managing thousands of acres of land.   The partnership between the City and MSC fills this gap.  MSC’s Preserve Stewards volunteer over 5000+ hours annually to help the public safely and appropriately access the Preserve.  Stewards also conduct clean-ups, trail building and maintenance, fire watches, safety patrols, educational hikes and other essential services.  MSC receives NO FUNDING from the sales tax revenues for these programs.  MSC’s Board of Directors, staff and additional volunteers spend countless hours working as the Preserve’s advocates and educators, facilitating continuity of the Preserve vision in the ever-changing political environment.

The public/private partnership between the City of Scottsdale and the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy has received national recognition for its success.  MSC will always play a critical role in the completion of, the education of, and the caring of this precious land.

MSC Vision:  “The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy is committed to preserving the Sonoran Desert and its Mountains for the benefit of this and all future generations.”