Listening to the Land

ARIZONA

LANDAND WATER TRUST

Annual Report 2008 The Trust’s Mission Arizona Land and Water Trust protects southern Arizona’s vanishing western landscapes, working farms and ranches and wildlife habitat by acquiring and managing sensitive lands. We believe the preservation of southern Arizona’s landscapes and ecosystems to be vital to the well-being of all residents, present and future.

Arizona Land and Water Trust–Annual Report 2008 From the Director...... 3 The Connection Between Ranching and Conservation...... 4 Pima County’s Commitment to Conservation in the Empire-Cienega Watershed by Chuck Huckelberry...... 6 Ways of Giving...... 7 Desert Water, a poem by Richard Shelton...... 8 Cienega Creek Watershed...... 10 Newly Protected Lands...... 12 Financial Statement/Team Notes...... 14 Our Partners in Conservation...... 15 From the Director

I am delighted to report that 2008 was a year of The Trust’s Board Jeff Hampton, President Randy Massey milestone achievements: 9,460 acres protected, Britt Simmons, Treasurer Fred McGee including three miles of rare creek frontage; over Chuck Pettis, Secretary Dennis Moroney Karen Riggs 100 ranchers and farmers participated in workshops Susan Blair Bill Roe through our partnership with Arizona Cooperative Ben Brophy Bill Shaw Nick Buckelew Ian Tomlinson Extension; new records set in membership support Sheldon Clark Henry Wallace and, of course, the exciting merger of Southeast Richard Collins Christine Conte Directors’ Council Arizona Land Trust and Arizona Open Land Trust Les Corey Lynn Harris to form Arizona Land and Water Trust. Fred Frelinghuysen Julia Gordon Charlotte Hanson Priscilla Robinson Alex Hobson Patsy Waterfall The myriad contributions of individuals are the Julie Holding Reyn Voevodsky Pat Lopez, III bulwark of our work – donations from supporters, the leadership of our foundation partners, the work The Trust’s Staff Diana Freshwater, Executive Director of volunteers and collaborators, and donations of Liz Petterson, Land and Water Program Manager conservation easements, land and planned gifts. Aaron Citron, Project Manager Dan Moxley, Communications and Development Associate Katharine Hanna, Staff Assistant With the commitment of individuals working in Dustin Garrick, Special Projects 1 partnership, small successes grow into sweeping conservation advances, preserving land for future generations.

I want to thank you, our partners, our directors, and our staff whose work and dedication further the mission of the Trust—preserving this unique treasure that is southern Arizona.

Diana Freshwater, Executive Director Cover: San Pedro River Looking South to Mexico (Annie Griffiths Belt); Opposite: Sopori Ranch (Joseph Belfiore); Above: Sands Ranch (Arizona Land and Water Trust). The Connection between Ranching and Conservation

Arizona Land and Water Trust reflects on our legacy as we face the future—ancient native peoples who built canal systems that supported substantial farming communities; early ranchers who operated vast working ranches and sparked small rural towns; and a remarkable natural ecosystem linked by our desert rivers, valleys and sky islands.

Today, as our awareness of the landscape around us is renewed through the pressures of growth, drought and quickly changing lifestyles, this legacy helps us see into the future and plan for it. During the months leading up to the landmark 2004 Pima County bond election that secured $174 million for land conservation, citizens learned that large, intact areas of grassland habitat can contribute 2 up to 23% of the groundwater recharged to Tucson’s aquifers. Grassland ranches sustain our groundwater recharge, helping not only to protect the sources of our water supply but also to keep the water quality clean.

When working landscapes are protected, we see a future with a sense of place for us and our children— the chance to see the beaver and river otter in their natural habitats; to enjoy iconic riparian forests; mesquite bosques and marshes.

As a small agile organization strongly partnered with local stakeholders, the Trust is positioned to protect vast landscapes that support habitat and ecosystem resilience in the face of drought, growth, and climate change. Ways of Giving

Contributions are vital to Arizona Land and Water Trust’s success in preserving open space in southern Arizona, and can take many forms. Listed below are options you may wish to consider.

• Cash or Credit Card • Appreciated Securities • Appreciated Real Estate • Matching Gifts through your Employer • Gifts In-Kind

“A mud turtle (Kinosternon sp.) Planned Giving Opportunities was observed on October 23, 2008, swimming in a natural rock pond • Will or Bequest on the ranch. The presence of a • Charitable Remainder Trust mud turtle raises the possibility • Charitable Lead Trust that other aquatic species, such • Life Insurance as Chiricahua or lowland leopard • IRAs and Pension Benefits 3 frogs, may be present as well. Please consult your attorney, accountant, or tax This observation is important for several reasons. First, it indicates advisor for advice on your specific situation. the presence of true wetland obligate species on the ranch, If you are interested in exploring these gift secondly, it suggests other aquatic opportunities, please contact Diana Freshwater, species (some special status) may Executive Director, at (520) 577-8564 or be surviving in these small, but important ponds and springs, and [email protected]. thirdly, it represents one the goals of Arizona Land and Water Trust– Earth Friends Wildlife Foundation to preserve and protect these The Earth Friends Wildlife Foundation has offered inconspicuous sensitive wetland the Trust a renewed challenge grant for 2008. Our habitats.” (Barb Garrison, EPG) challenge is to raise $100,000 by November to support our Desert Rivers and Riparian Heritage Initiative.

Text box: An excerpt from a biological assessment of a ranch in the Cienega Creek Watershed, protected this year by Pima County, in partnership with the ranching family and Arizona Land and Water Trust. Photos: Sands Ranch (Arizona Land and Water Trust). Pima County’s Commitment to Conservation in the Empire-Cienega Watershed by Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry

Even before embarking on the development of the and include Saguaro National Park East, the Rincon Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, the County Mountain Wilderness Area, the Coronado National recognized the importance of conserving large Forest, and the Las Cienegas National Conservation landscape properties within the Empire-Cienega Area. The County has been able to conserve an Watershed. These actions date back to at least the additional 19,000 acres, and the associated 12,000 1980’s when the County actively supported protection acres of State grazing leases, by purchasing the land of the Empire Ranch from subdivision development from willing sellers who continue to ranch under impacts; the Ranch is now protected within the management agreements with Pima County. These 45,000-acre Las Cienegas National Conservation Area areas include the establishment of and continuous managed by the Bureau of Land Management. additions to Colossal Cave Mountain Park and the Cienega Creek Natural Preserve, acquisition of The Empire-Cienega Watershed provides properties along Agua Verde Creek, acquisition of tremendous opportunities for the community to a portion of the Empirita and Sands Ranches, and achieve conservation successes in all 5 elements of acquisition of the Bar V Ranch. Arizona Land and the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan: riparian Water Trust has been instrumental in at least half of 4 protection, mountain parks, cultural resources, ranch these purchases, and is currently assisting the County conservation, critical habitat and biological corridors. with two additional purchases that would conserve an Protecting the landscape from impacts associated with additional 3,500 acres in this Watershed. residential development through the purchase of land for conservation is an initial task that provides so many With all that has been accomplished in the Empire- benefits. These include the preservation of a key water Cienega Watershed, there are still many threats and source for the Tucson Basin, flood control benefits unknowns that could impact these successes. Some due to natural recharge, the conservation of important of these include mining, the future of the hundreds wildlife corridors between mountain ranges and high of thousands of acres of State Trust land, continued quality grassland habitats, preservation of historic and impacts to water resources, and invasive species. All of archaeological resources, expansion of recreational these could have a significant detrimental effect on the opportunities, and continuing ranching as a traditional conservation values of this Watershed, and the quality economic use of the land. of life for those residing in, and visiting, this incredible landscape. The County looks forward to working The federal government and the County have with Arizona Land and Water Trust and our other established numerous conservation areas within the community partners in continuing land conservation Empire-Cienega Watershed. Federal lands managed efforts and continuing to do all we can to address these by the Forest Service, National Park Service, and threats and uncertainties. Bureau of Land Management total over 150,000 acres 5

Photos: Ranching Scenes—Southern Arizona (Frank McChesney and Bob Sharp); Bottom: Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry (Arizona Land and Water Trust). 6

(Ruud de Man, istockPhoto) Desert Water once a year when infallible toads begin to sing all the spiders who left me return and I make room for them

I am too proud to mention their long absence then the owls send a message in code from saguaro to saguaro and the toads stop singing a sea of warm air 7 rolls over quickly and relaxes we wait for the promised rain for the second coming of water each time it arrives like the flood and I know I have not wasted my life spiders still come to my house for shelter

Richard Shelton from Selected Poems 1969 - 1981 University of Pittsburgh Press, 1982 Cienega Creek e simplest fact about West- Empirita Ranch ern ranches is the one most Coronado National Forest - folks tend to forget: raising Whetstone Mountains Wil dlif range-fed livestock is one of the e C Cienega Creek or few economic activities that rid Natural Preserve or produces food – and potentially I-10 ecosystem health and nancial Sands Ranch r wealth – by keeping landscapes do rri Co relatively wild, diverse, and e lif Cochise County d resilient. il W

Gary Nabhan,“In Praise, and in Las Cienegas National C Appraisal of, the Working Conservation Area ie ne Landscapes of the West,” in ga Elgin Quivira Coalition Journal 29. C re e High Haven Ranch k Diamond C Ranch

Sonoita Sonoita Creek

Coronado National Forest - Santa Rita Mountains

Pima County

Photos: (from top, clockwise): River Beaver (Je rey Hochstrasser, iStockPhoto), Black Bear I-19 (Worldwideimages, iStockPhoto), Tule Elk (Rich Phalin, iStockPhoto), Chiricahua Leopard Frog (Jim Rorabaugh/USFWS), e Roundup (Steven Allan, iStockPhoto). Santa Cruz County Aerial Map: ©2009 Dr. William Bowen California Geographical Society Cienega Creek e simplest fact about West- Empirita Ranch ern ranches is the one most Coronado National Forest - folks tend to forget: raising Whetstone Mountains Wil dlif range-fed livestock is one of the e C Cienega Creek or few economic activities that rid Natural Preserve or produces food – and potentially I-10 ecosystem health and nancial Sands Ranch r wealth – by keeping landscapes do rri Co relatively wild, diverse, and e lif Cochise County d resilient. il W

Sonoita Sonoita Creek

Coronado National Forest - Santa Rita Mountains

Pima County

Sonoita, Arizona. The Sands Ranch is the most Elgin, Arizona. The Trust recently protected 1,000 significant grasslands habitat protection project acres of pastureland that abuts the Coronado in Pima County’s history. In December 2008 the National Forest on the Diamond C Ranch via the Trust partnered with the Sands Family and Pima purchase of a conservation easement. The easement County to secure this essential link of protected land supports protection of the San Pedro River by between the Las Cienegas National Conservation securing two drainages that flow from the north side Area and the Coronado National Forest to the of the Huachuca Mountains into the Babocomari east. This 5,040-acre acquisition adds to already- River, a key tributary of the Upper San Pedro River. conserved lands along the critically important The pasture is one of southern Arizona’s few Class Cienega Creek and protects wildlife movement A native grasslands, provides habitat for a variety corridors between the Santa Rita Mountains and of protected species, and is part of a major north- the Whetstone Mountains. The ranching family south route for 350 species of migratory birds will stay on, managing the Ranch as they have between the San Pedro River and Cienega Creek. 10 since 1917.

Amado, Arizona. The historic Sopori Ranch is home to Sopori Creek, one of Pima County’s richest riparian areas. With lush groves of mesquite and cottonwood trees, the Ranch is habitat for an impressive array of wildlife species, including Swainson’s hawk, pronghorn sheep, and the lesser long-nosed bat. The Trust partnered with the landowner and Pima County to protect over 4,000 acres of Sopori Ranch in Pima County, completing the connection of preserved working landscapes between the Cerro Colorado Mountains to the west, and the Tumacacori Mountains. 11

Opposite: Sands Ranch (Robert Dawson); Above, clockwise from top left: Sands Ranch (Arizona Land and Water Trust); Sopori Ranch (Arizona Land and Water Trust); Black-crowned Night-Heron Feeding (Erik Bettini , iStockPhoto); Kerry Baldwin of Pima County Natural Resources Parks and Recreation at Sands Ranch (Arizona Land and Water Trust); Sopori Ranch (Arizona Land and Water Trust); Sopori Ranch (Joseph Belfiore); Financials Team Notes In FY2008 the Trust attracted new partners to Liz Petterson was promoted to Land and Water our mission and grew our foundation support. Program Manager in 2008. In addition to Increased revenues allowed us to grow our on-the- overseeing the Trust’s land protection projects and policy outreach, Liz manages the Desert Rivers ground conservation work, specifically our Land Initiative. Liz’s years of experience working with and Water Program’s Desert Rivers Initiative. rural landowners is particularly well-suited to furthering the focus of the Initiative: streamlining a Statements of Financial Condition framework for allocating water resources to sustain September 30, 2008 and 2007 riparian areas and support local agriculture. Liz, a 2008 2007 native Tucsonan, works with landowner partners Assets: whose farms and ranches supply locally produced Cash and cash equivalents $395,829 $123,282 food and sustain our rural riparian heritage. Investments 612,323 689,101 Land held for conservation 1,289,150 1,357,000 Property and equipment, net 8,987 8,912 Aaron Citron joined the Trust as Project Manager Other assets 213,377 3,909 for our Desert Rivers Initiative in 2008. Aaron $2,519,666 $2,182,204 received his B.A. in History from Emory University in 2003 and his J.D. cum laude in May 2007 from 12 Liabilities and Net Assets The University of Arizona. Aaron’s legal studies Liabilities: focused on land use, property law, and water law. Accounts payable $12,512 $5,014 Accrued expenses 11,866 9,594 He spent a year practicing criminal defense law Deferred revenue 23,925 27,406 before joining the Trust to return to issues much 48,303 42,014 closer to his heart. As a native Tucsonan, Aaron knows how special it is to find water in the desert. Net Assets: He feels privileged to be able to help protect Unrestricted 1,852,155 1,825,017 Temporarily restricted 505,122 201,087 Arizona’s dwindling but vital water resources for Permanently restricted 114,086 114,086 current and future generations. 2,471,363 2,140,190

$2,519,666 $2,182,204 Arizona Land and Water Trust’s accomplishments were made possible by the generous support of the individuals, businesses and organizations that made gifts to our conservation programs during our fiscal year 2008 (October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008). Every gift, regardless of size, plays a crucial role in helping us to accomplish our mission. Corporate and Foundation Donors William R. and Charlotte S. Johnson George Ivey John and Susanne Alcock AAA Landscape Will Murray Daniel Jelks John and Nora Ayres Brophy Clark Cellars Kate Piper Richard Keiler and Tommilee Phillips Mary Ellen Barnes Clark Family Foundation Lollie Benz Plank David and Barbara Kelly Belinda Barrington City of Tucson ECAP Jessica Richter, in memory of Max Siegel Barbara and Jay Kittle Vanessa Bechtol, in memory of Zoe and Donald Pitt Family Foundation Curtis S. Scaife Blair Klein Paul Bechtol Earth Friends Wildlife Foundation Charles and Betsy Zukoski Katherine Knez-Phillips Karen Bednorz Elkhorn Ranch Doug Koppinger Ruth Beeker Frontier Consulting Group LLC Gifts of $100 to $999 Jane Kroehl Michael and Lori Block Godat Design, Inc. Dabney and Kate Altaffer William and Justine Kusner Anne and Arthur Britt Gugino and Mortimer, PLC Peter and Deborah Backus Holly Lachowicz Chris and Laura Brophy Kautz Family Foundation, in honor of Frank Bangs, Jr. Andy Laurenzi and Valerie Hink Daniel and Carol Brunton Fred Frelinghuysen Sarah Barchas Jack and Phoebe Lewis Jean Calhoun Land Trust Alliance Richard and Deborah Baxter Larry and Beatrice Lunt Sam Campana Long Realty Cares Foundation Dr. Jean-Paul Bierny and Chris Tanz Martie Maierhauser Donald and Karen Chatfield Ludwig Klewer and Co. PLLC Duncan and Susan Blair Rob Marshall Barbara Clark Maricopa County Combined Federal Carl and Jane Bock Deena Martin Stephen Joel Coons Campaign Rich and Nancy Bohman Randy and Lauri Massey Douglas and Natalie Danforth MET Foundation, Inc. Patti and David Bradley Linda Mayro and William Doelle Mary Peace Douglas Network for Giving Francis Brophy Fred and Betsy McGee Neale and Chris Duncan Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust Fiona Brophy Bill and Dede McKnight Paul and Faye Finley Norcross Wildlife Foundation Matthew Brophy Linda and Michael McNulty Michael Freshwater Patagonia, Inc. Nick and Laurie Buckelew Sharon and Luther Meeker Robert Furman Pima County ECAP Lorene Calder Joe and Bev Moxley Ralf and Frances Garcia Rose Tree Ranch Kent and Liz Campbell Nancy Munroe Bruce and Wilhelmina Gold Southern Arizona Combined Federal Don and Terry Casson Mark Myers and Tamra Jo Whiteley-Myers Robert Herdliska Campaign Harris Choate Gary Nabhan Robin Hiller and Tim Fuller Steven Leuthold Family Foundation Tom and Debbie Collazo Kathy Olmstead Miles Histand Suffolk Hills Pet Clinic Richard and Diane Collins Carol and Michael Parker Martha Hyman Tohono O’odham Nation Patrick and Ashley Connor Diana Phillips and Doug Richardson Jan Johnson Walter D. Armer and Associates Christine Conte, in celebration of Kate Piper, in memory of Betty Nash Wayne Lackner Wespac Construction Austen Conte Arnould Robert and Audrey Ray David Langebartel Western Land Group, Inc. Les and Bonnie Corey Jerry Rodman and Ann Gosline Kirk Lawton Jack and Joyce Cox Jon and Peggy Rowley Martin Levowitz and Kathryn Schrag Gifts of $5,000 or more Penny and Cliff Crutchfield Jean Russell Karen Lowery 13 Arch and Laura Brown Wayne and Dorothy Delvin Leonard Scheff Jonathan and Cynthia Lunine Larry and Marcia Greene John and Patty Doerr Alice Schlegel George and Nina Masek Carol and Clarke Lambert Rob and Amy Draper Maury and Amy Schlossberg Warren and Felicia May Mary Pat McChesney Richard and Mary Rose Duffield Alan and Kathie Schroeder Jack and Caroline McConnell George Meyer and Maria Semple Joan Ellinwood Susan Scott Peter McCrohan Laurinda Oswald Fran Epsen, in memory of Thor Hanson Tony Sedgwick Bill and Mary McDonald Patricia & Charles M. Pettis Bette and Gerard Ervin Lemuel and Wanda Shattuck Larry and Susan McDonald Endowment Fund at the Community Barton and Beth Faber Bill and Darcy Shaw David Mount and Jennifer Hall Foundation for Southern Arizona Gil and Kris Feldman Bill and Sue Sheweloff Herman Nickel Louise Nash Robbins Charitable Mike Ford Jolie Sibert and Gino Zampini Charles and Carol Otto Remainder Unitrust Cameron and Jean Fordyce Steve and Jean Smith Bob and Jeanne Peterson William and Alice Roe Bob and Katherine Fox Linwood and Janet Smith Herbert Ploch Von Blon Fund of the Minneapolis Dr. Loren and Jackie Freshwater Steven and Cornelia Snoey Dorothy Rhodes Foundation Hannah Garrick Steve and Karen Strom Kay Richter Dustin and Heather Garrick John and Beth Sullivan Ellen Ristow, in memory of Louise B. Ristow Gifts of $1,000 to $4,999 Paul and Dolores Gohdes James and Carol Swiggett Barrie Ryan Briggs and Patricia Ackert Aline Goodman Alicia Tonnies and Hella Nordberg, in Paula Schaper and Jack Zittere Bayard Auchincloss and Rose Ronstadt Mark and Julia Gordon memory of Ralph and Florence Welles Tam and Sue Scott Jack Barchas and Rosemary Stevens Joseph Green George and Linda Vensel Laine Seaton Shel and Jacque Clark Diana Hadley and Peter Warshall Marsha Waggoner Floyd and Jane Sedlmayr Jim and Vicki Click Adrienne Halpert Patsy Waterfall Godfrey Sill and Laurel Wilkening Mary Hope Dillon Jeff and Linda Hampton Frances and William Werner Matt Skroch David and Mary Ann Elwood Katharine Hanna Robert and Estellean Wick Curtis Smith and Susan Carnahan Fred Frelinghuysen and Mary Voyatzis David and Billie Hardy Bob and Kathy Winder Paul Sobel Norm Gerlich Michael and Lynn Harris Reese and Nancy Woodling Ruth and Sonny Solot Sally Greenleaf Marilyn Harris Julie and Arthur Woodrow Robin Steel Charlotte Hanson, in memory of Matt Heinz Anne Yoshino and William Grimes Gayle Traver Thor Hanson Richard Hill Margaret Weesner Fritz and Gayle Jandrey Rick and Libby Hoffman Gifts to $99 Donald Weinstein and Beverly Parker Rukin and Carolyn Jelks Patricia Bennett Hoffman Anonymous (1), on behalf of Robert and Liza Weissler James Jelks Julie Holding Mary Gillmore Gene and Marvyl Wendt Nancy and Robert Johnson Alan and Polly Hyde William Adler 14

ARIZONA

LANDAND WATER TRUST

Thank you to these partners who give generously of their considerable talent: Denise Barnes Arizona Land and Water Trust Annie Griffiths Belt 3127 N. Cherry Ave. John Brady Tucson Arizona 85719 David Freshwater Phone: 520.577.8564 John Gray Fax: 520.577.8574 Will Murray www.alwt.org Richard Shelton