activities · 25
what they do
direct service · 16
- Desert Rivers Program Water Offset & Incentive ProgramsImplements water transactions and incentive-driven agreements through the Desert Rivers Program to protect streams and rivers in Southern Arizona, benefiting riparian systems and supporting water-dependent agricultural communities.
- Habitat Conservation Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionConserves habitat for multiple species of Greatest Conservation Need, such as the Lesser long-nosed bat, Chiricahua leopard frog, and Bald eagle.
- Habitat Conservation for Endangered Species Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionConserves habitat for multiple species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the Lesser long-nosed bat, Chiricahua leopard frog, and Bald eagle.
- Habitat conservation for species of Greatest Conservation Need Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionConserves critical habitat for imperiled species such as the Lesser long-nosed bat, Chiricahua leopard frog, and Bald eagle through targeted land protection efforts on working landscapes and natural areas.
- Historic Preservation through EasementsProtects cultural, historical, and archaeological sites by utilizing historic preservation easements.
- Land Acquisition for Conservation Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionAcquires land through fee simple acquisition, taking ownership and management responsibility for conservation purposes. This includes acquiring properties like 371 acres of Sopori Creek and Farm and partnering with entities like the Bureau of Land Management to protect ranches.
- Land Conservation through Easements and Acquisition Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionProtects land in Southern Arizona, including working farms and ranches, through conservation easements, fee simple acquisitions, and purchase of development rights. This work has resulted in the protection of over 73,250 acres, including specific properties like Red Wing Ranch, Pyeatt Ranch, Sopori Creek and Farm, and Tombstone Ranch.
- Land Conservation through Easements and Acquisitions Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionProtects land in Southern Arizona, including working farms and ranches, through various methods such as conservation easements, fee simple acquisitions, and purchase of development rights. These efforts aim to restrict development, protect natural resources, and conserve biological, cultural, and agricultural heritage. The organization has protected over 73,250 acres of land.
- Land Protection through Conservation Easements Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionProtects private lands in Southern Arizona by using conservation easements to restrict development, conserve natural resources, and preserve cultural, historical, and archaeological sites in perpetuity. This includes protecting working farms and ranches, native grasslands, and water resources, and has resulted in the protection of over 73,250 acres of land.
- Land protection through conservation easements and fee acquisition Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionProtects natural, cultural, and agricultural lands in Southern Arizona through conservation easements, fee simple acquisition, and donations. The organization has protected over 73,250 acres of land, including properties such as Red Wing Ranch, Pyeatt Ranch, and the 10,000-acre Santa Lucia Ranch, using legal tools that restrict development and ensure long-term stewardship.
- Landowner partnership and working ranchland protection Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionWorks with willing landowners through management agreements, purchase of development rights, and incentive-based programs to protect working farms and ranches while maintaining agricultural productivity and heritage in Southern Arizona. The organization has partnered with ranchers and farmers for over 40 years.
- Protection of cultural, historical, and archaeological resourcesUses historic preservation easements and other legal tools to protect sites of cultural, historical, and archaeological significance on private lands in Southern Arizona.
- Purchase of Development Rights Programs Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionEngages in purchase of development rights (PDR) programs to remove development potential from private lands for conservation purposes.
- Water Resource Protection Water Offset & Incentive ProgramsImplements water transactions through the Desert Rivers Program and enters into incentive-driven agreements to protect streams, rivers, and riparian systems in Southern Arizona, while also supporting agricultural needs and water-dependent farmers and ranchers.
- Water Resource Protection Water Offset & Incentive ProgramsImplements water transactions and incentive-driven agreements through the Desert Rivers Program to protect streams, rivers, and riparian systems in Southern Arizona, while also supporting agricultural needs and water-dependent farmers and ranchers.
- Water and riparian system conservation Water Offset & Incentive ProgramsImplements water transactions and incentive-driven agreements to protect desert rivers, streams, and rural agriculture in Southern Arizona. Through the Desert Rivers Program, the organization supports both ecological health of riparian systems and the water needs of farmers and ranchers.
advocacy · 5
- Advocacy and policy leadership in land conservation Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionPlayed a key role in advancing conservation policy, including helping pass 1985 Arizona legislation that enabled the use of conservation easements and supporting bond funding for conservation. Recognized with the Conservation Collaboration Award from the Sonoran Institute for these efforts.
- Advocacy for Conservation Legislation Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionPlayed a key role in passing 1985 Arizona legislation that enabled the use of conservation easements.
- Advocacy for Conservation Policy Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionEngages in advocacy efforts, including playing a key role in passing 1985 Arizona legislation enabling conservation easements and partnering with Pima County to secure conservation lands and bond funds for conservation.
- Advocacy for Conservation Policy Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionEngages in advocacy efforts, including playing a key role in passing 1985 Arizona legislation enabling conservation easements and partnering with Pima County to secure bond funds and prioritize land preservation targets.
- Partnerships for Regional Conservation Conservation Advocacy & Land ProtectionPartners with Pima County to secure thousands of acres of top priority conservation lands and has received awards for ongoing work with the County in open space acquisitions and working ranchland protection.
capacity building · 4
- Capacity building for ranchland conservation Ranchland Protection Support ProgramsOperates the Family Ranchland Protection Fund and organizes "Ranching Into the Future" workshops to provide landowners with tools, professional support, and training to protect their farms and ranches.
- Family Ranchland Protection Fund Ranchland Protection Support ProgramsOperates the Family Ranchland Protection Fund to provide professional support and tools to landowners for the protection of farms and ranches.
- Landowner Support and Management Agreements Ranchland Protection Support ProgramsEnters into management agreements with landowners to ensure the long-term protection of working farms and ranches and provides professional support and tools for protecting these lands through the Family Ranchland Protection Fund.
- Landowner Support for Conservation Ranchland Protection Support ProgramsOperates the Family Ranchland Protection Fund to provide landowners with professional support and tools for protecting farms and ranches.
strategies · 24
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Agile and Entrepreneurial Land Protection agile land protection modelThe organization adopts an entrepreneurial and agile approach, leveraging its size and expertise to quickly pursue land protection opportunities that might be challenging for larger organizations, often working with willing landowners and municipalities.
- Agile and Entrepreneurial Land Protection agile land protection modelThe organization employs an agile and entrepreneurial approach, leveraging its size, expertise, and board talent to quickly pursue land protection opportunities, including those that may be challenging for larger organizations, by working with willing landowners, municipalities, and other entities.
- Agile and Entrepreneurial Land Protection Model entrepreneurial land conservationLeverages organizational agility, expert staff, and board connections to rapidly identify and secure land protection opportunities through donated or purchased easements, especially where larger entities face delays.
- Bundle of Rights Approach to Land Conservation bundle of rightsApplies the "bundle of sticks" legal framework to enable partial transfer of land rights—such as development or water rights—allowing conservation outcomes while letting landowners retain select uses.
- Climate-Intentional Land and Water Conservation climate-resilient conservationPlans land and water transactions with explicit climate resilience goals, focusing on enhancing landscape adaptability in Southern Arizona under changing climate conditions.
- Climate-Resilient and Habitat-Focused Conservation climate-resilient conservationThe organization prioritizes land and water transactions that support landscape resilience in Southern Arizona, specifically focusing on conserving private lands that provide critical habitats for threatened and endangered species, including native grasslands, riparian areas, and forests.
- Collaborative Public-Private Conservation Partnerships public-private conservation partnershipFacilitates conservation by bridging public agencies, private landowners, and funders to develop community-based strategies and permanently protect ecologically and culturally significant landscapes.
- Conservation Easements for Permanent Protection conservation_easementThe organization utilizes conservation easements as a primary tool to permanently protect working lands, critical habitats, and water resources, often in partnership with landowners and government agencies, while allowing landowners to retain other rights through the "bundle of sticks" framework.
- Conservation Easements for Permanent Protection conservation_easementThe organization utilizes conservation easements as a primary tool to permanently protect working lands, critical habitats, and water resources, often in partnership with landowners and government agencies.
- Flexible Land Rights Management bundle of rightsThe organization applies the "bundle of sticks" framework to land rights, allowing for the transfer of partial rights for conservation purposes while enabling landowners to retain other rights.
- Flexible and Agile Land Protection agile land protection modelThe organization adopts an agile and entrepreneurial approach, leveraging its size and expertise to quickly pursue land protection opportunities and utilize flexible tools like the "bundle of sticks" framework for land rights.
- Habitat-Focused Private Land Conservation habitat-focused land conservationTargets private lands with high ecological value—such as native grasslands, riparian zones, and forests—for conservation to protect critical habitats for threatened and endangered species.
- Integrated Multi-Objective Conservation Planning integrated-conservationDesigns conservation projects to simultaneously advance wildlife habitat protection, sustainable rangeland use, responsible public recreation, and agricultural viability.
- Integrated and Climate-Resilient Conservation integrated-conservationThe organization employs an integrated approach to conservation, considering wildlife habitat, sustainable land management, and climate resilience in its land and water protection efforts.
- Integrated and Climate-Resilient Conservation integrated-conservationThe organization employs an integrated approach to conservation, considering wildlife habitat, sustainable land management, and climate resilience in its land and water transactions to support landscape health.
- Military-Compatible Land Use military-compatible_land_useThe organization implements conservation projects that align agricultural sustainability with military readiness goals, demonstrating a strategy to integrate diverse land use objectives.
- Military-Compatible Land UseThe organization implements conservation projects that align agricultural sustainability with military readiness goals, ensuring compatible land use.
- Military-Compatible Land Use Conservation military-compatible_land_useAligns conservation efforts with regional military readiness by protecting open space and sustainable agriculture around military installations to reduce land-use conflicts.
- Private Landowner Engagement Through Education ranching-into-the-futureSupports long-term land stewardship by engaging ranchers and landowners in educational programming focused on sustainable practices and intergenerational land resilience.
- Voluntary Conservation Agreements and Easements conservation_easementUses voluntary tools like conservation easements and legal agreements with private landowners to permanently protect working lands and water resources, emphasizing landowner willingness and long-term stewardship.
- Voluntary, Partnership-Based Land Conservation private-land conservation partnershipsThe organization partners with private landowners, communities, and public entities to achieve conservation goals through voluntary agreements, leveraging diverse resources and interests for landscape-level protection.
- Working Landscapes Conservation working landscapes conservationThe organization focuses on conserving working landscapes, such as ranches and farms, through collaborative management and private ownership, integrating wildlife habitat protection, sustainable rangeland management, and responsible recreation to ensure both ecological health and agricultural viability.
- Working Landscapes Conservation working landscapes conservationThe organization focuses on conserving and managing working landscapes, such as ranches and farms, to maintain agricultural productivity while protecting ecological values and critical water resources.
- Working Landscapes Conservation Model working landscapes conservationProtects ecologically significant areas by maintaining active agricultural and ranching operations through collaborative management agreements that balance economic use with long-term conservation.
named programs · 9
what they call their work
Conservation Easements
Voluntary agreements with landowners to restrict development and uses of property to protect natural resources, ensuring lands are protected in perpetuity.
Desert Rivers Program
Tailors solutions for farmers, ranchers, and the environment to protect Arizona's streams and rivers through incentive-driven agreements.
Family Ranchland Protection Fund
Provides services and tools to landowners who wish to protect their farms and ranches.
Fee Simple Acquisition
Acquisition of land directly from landowners to protect and manage it for conservation purposes.
Historic Preservation Easement
Easements aimed at preserving historic or cultural properties, landscapes, battlefields, or archaeological sites.
Management Agreements
Mutual agreements between landowners and the Trust for long-term protection planning on large working farms and ranches.
Purchase Development Rights (PDR)
Acquisition of development rights from landowners, similar to conservation easements, to prevent future development.
Ranching Into the Future Workshops
Workshops for landowners on maintaining local and regional agricultural economies and preserving rural heritage and culture.
Virtual Happy Hours
Online events featuring guest speakers to engage the public on conservation topics.
relationships · 28
who they work with
- Arizona Community Foundation of Cochise Partner — Supported the Tombstone Ranch conservation project through local foundation partnership.
- Arizona Department of Forestry Partner — State agency partner in the Fort Huachuca Sentinel Landscape conservation initiative.
- Arizona Game and Fish Department Partner — Partnered on the Tombstone Ranch conservation easement to protect wildlife habitat and secure public hunting access.
- Bureau of Land Management Partner — Collaborated to permanently protect 477 acres of Hayhook Ranch using Land and Water Conservation Fund resources.
- Department of Defense Partner — Partnered to fund and implement a conservation easement at Mustang Ranch through the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program.
- Desert Rivers Program Partner — Program through which the Trust implements water transactions to protect streams and rivers.
- Fish and Wildlife Service Partner — Part of a multi-agency partnership supporting working lands conservation around Fort Huachuca.
- Fort Huachuca Partner — Collaborates with the Trust on conservation projects within the R-2303 Military Airspace to support military readiness and compatible land use.
- Hayhook Ranch Partner — Partnered with the Trust to conserve land through conservation efforts.
- KGVY Partner — Partnered with KGVY for the Around the Cracker Barrel Radio Show featuring the Trust's Executive Director.
- Land Trust Alliance Network — Member of the national Land Trust Alliance, which represents over 1,100 land trusts nationwide.
- Land and Water Conservation Fund Government — Provided funding for the permanent protection of 477 acres at Hayhook Ranch.
- Mustang Ranch Partner — Partnered with the Trust to conserve land through conservation efforts.
- Natural Resources Conservation Service Partner — Part of a multi-agency partnership supporting working lands conservation around Fort Huachuca.
- Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever Partner — Collaborated on the first conservation easement with a clause allowing perpetual public hunting access.
- Pima County Partner — Partnered with Pima County to secure thousands of acres of top priority conservation lands and in open space acquisitions and working ranchland protection.
- Pima County Partner — Provided letters of support for the Hayhook Ranch conservation project.
- Rocks and Ropes Partner — Provided letters of support for the Hayhook Ranch conservation project.
- Sonoran Institute Partner — Recognized by the Sonoran Institute for collaborative conservation work, including helping pass bond funds and securing priority conservation lands.
- Sopori Ranch Partner — Partnered with the Trust to protect 2,500 acres of land.
- Southern Arizona Hiking Club Partner — Provided letters of support for the Hayhook Ranch conservation project.
- The Nature Conservancy of Arizona Partner — Partnered with The Nature Conservancy on a multi-year project to prioritize the Conservation Land System in Pima County.
- Tombstone Ranch Partner — Partnered with the Trust to conserve land through conservation efforts.
- U.S. Forest Service Partner — Part of a multi-agency partnership supporting working lands conservation around Fort Huachuca.
- USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service – Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Partner — Provided program support for the conservation easement on Tombstone Ranch.
- Woods family Partner — Private landowners who partnered with the Trust to place a conservation easement on their historic ranch property.
- municipalities Partner — Works with municipalities to protect natural resources through land transactions.
- willing landowners Partner — Collaborates with willing landowners to protect land through conservation easements.