Alice Neal and Anita Hagy Ferguson
“Be careful what you wish for, lest it come true” may sound ominous, but this adage materialized in a downright positive way with the launch of the award-winning non-profit White Tank Mountains Conservancy in 2014.
The wish was for a culture of conservation that would ensure enduring opportunities for healthy lifestyles and sustainable communities supported by a flourishing economy in the West Valley. Todd Hornback, DMB Associates, Inc., Buckeye Mayor Jackie Meck, and Les Meyers, an Experience Matters Encore Fellow, set out on their pioneering journey.
Unlike early Arizona trailblazers seeking water, Hornback, Meyers, and the mayor didn’t have to search the mountains on horseback to achieve their goal. Be that as it may, a lifetime Buckeye resident and outdoor enthusiast, Meck and probably the other two would have enjoyed that challenge “back in the day!”
The men did show the determination of pioneers in seeking supporters with a shared spirit eager to risk this conservation journey for the good of their communities. Within a year or so, the mayors and councils of the cities of Buckeye, Goodyear, Peoria, Surprise and the town of Youngtown all replied with a resounding “yes” to the journey.
The WTMC is guided by its mission “to conserve and enjoy the natural and cultural resources of the White Tank Mountains.” The first of the organization’s two major goals, totally tied to the second, is connecting human well-being to conservation through volunteerism and education. The second is imbedding a culture of valuing conservation into land use and development practices through collaborative partnerships. The effort is neatly tied together with the three-fold focus—Connect, Conserve, Collaborate.
According to Meyers, Executive Director, “Our conservation efforts focus on maintaining ecological and recreational connectivity to the White Tanks through restoration, trail planning and sustainable Sun Valley growth.”
Meyers’ enthusiasm for the mountain range is contagious as he speaks about the White Tanks, which he refers to as the Jewel of the West Valley. “WTMC connects visitors to Skyline Regional Park and White Tank Mountain Regional Park. The mountain trails, wildflowers and wildlife are a draw to both locals and tourists. The parks generate tourism which provides a boost to our regional economic engine.”
He also emphasized the critical aspect of partnership in achieving WTMC goals. Support from area conservation leaders such as the Central Arizona Conservation Alliance (CAZCA), The Sonoran Institute and Maricopa County Parks and Recreation along with WESTMARC, DMB Associates, Inc. and West-MEC are a part of a broader coalition of businesses and government agencies collaborating to help accomplish the WTMC goals.
As Meyers touted the success and progress toward organization objectives, he emphasized that the WTMC has only begun its conservation journey in the White Tanks and West Valley. “We have a long road ahead to ensure that the cultural and natural resources—first and foremost, wildlife—remain a viable part of the White Tank Mountain Range. We encourage valley residents to become a part of this ongoing effort.”
For more information about how to become involved in the conservation of the White Tank Mountain Range, go to WTMConservancy.org/volunteer today.