The Jewel of the Creek Preserve
map & directions

Elephant Butte above the Jewel photo by Mark Sarantos This magnificent 26.6 - acre parcel of  land is a desert oasis filled with towering cottonwood and willow trees at the northern edge of the Town of Cave Creek bordering the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. This property holds one of the last remaining perennial streams in Maricopa County. The unusual year-round presence of water supports a myriad of plant and animal species. The lush riparian area is a priority property for permanent protection because of the water and botanical resources it provides. The Desert Foothills Land Trust had been searching for ways to acquire and permanently protect this sensitive and endangered property for several years. In 1997 the Desert Foothills Land Trust received conservation designation for the "Jewel of the Creek" and purchased the "Jewel of the Creek" from the Arizona State Land Department in 2001. The Desert Foothills Land Trust was one of the first land conservation organizations in the state to purchase property under the Arizona Preserve Initiative.

Snow on Elephant Butte above the Jewel photo by Steve Thompson Among the first in the state, the Desert Foothills Land Trust obtained funds under the Arizona State Parks Growing Smarter Land Acquisition grant program. Due to the generosity of the Charlotte Y. Martin Foundation and the community, the Desert Foothills Land Trust raised nearly $450,000 to match the Growing Smarter grant.

photo by Mark Sarantos

The Dedication - A Big Success

Maria Baier of the Trust for Public Land addresses the crowd assembled for the Jewel of the Creek dedication on January 24, 2004. Maria was instrumental in getting the Arizona Preserve Initiative statute passed by the State Legislature.

A crowd of well over 100 people braved the cold and rain to witness history in the making as the Desert Foothills Land Trust opened its 27-acre Jewel of the Creek Preserve to the public on Saturday, January 24th. It was an emotional day filled with remembrance and celebration. Maria Baier of the Trust for Public Lands and Lori Faeth of the Governor's Office gave moving accounts of their involvement with former Executive Director P.A. Seitts and the central role she played in the establishment of the Arizona Preserve Initiative. Sue Hilderbrand spoke to the group about Arizona State Parks Department's continuing interest in land protection.

The Land Trust also dedicated the newly established nature trail through the Preserve to honor the efforts of Board member Harry I Dalton. Harry and his team of dedicated fund-raisers exceeded their goal by such a wide margin that we were able to fund a portion of Go John Canyon's acquisition costs as well. Thanks Harry and team members!

Pat and Harry Dalton enjoy the trail named in his honor at the Jewel of the Creek Preserve. Harry led the fund-raising effort to acquire Jewel of the Creek and portions of Go John Canyon Preserve.

Stephanie Seitts prepares to release a Harris Hawk in honor of her late mother's efforts to protect State Trust land. A proud father, George Seitts, looks on as she prepares for the release. Bob Fox, from Wild At Heart, gives Stephanie some last-minute instructions.

As a tribute to P.A. Seitts' efforts to protect fragile Sonoran Desert habitat, P.A.'s daughter Stephanie and husband George released a rehabilitated Harris Hawk back into the wild. The hawk rose majestically into the air after its release and was seen throughout the day posing on the top of a lone saguaro overlooking the Jewel.

DFLT produced a limited number of commemorative T-shirts to mark the dedication of the Jewel of the Creek preserve. The front of the T-shirt sports a picture of the Jewel within the letters of "Jewel of the Creek". The back contains our motto and logo. This shirt can be ordered for a limited time from DFLT for a cost of $24 that includes shipping. To order a T-shirt, please send a check or money order to the office (be sure to include size and allow for shrinkage). You can also call the office to order by credit card.

Robin Kilbane, DFLT Program Manager models Commemorative Jewel of the Creek dedication t-shirt.