P.A Seitts Preserve at Go John Canyon
map & directions
 

Nestled within the town of Cave Creek lies Go John Canyon. The 500-acre property, a beautiful example of the upper Sonoran desert ecosystem, might have been sold for development by the Arizona State Land Department as State Trust Land. Through the efforts of Desert Foothills Land Trust, the canyon was reclassified as suitable for conservation under the Arizona Preserve Initiative in 1998. This designation made the pristine area eligible for matching funds for preservation through the "Growing Smarter State Trust Land Acquisition Program," managed by Arizona State Parks Department. DFLT established the Go John Canyon nature preserve by purchasing the first 65 acres of the canyon in November 2000.

An additional 116 acres were protected in December 2001 with the continued generous support of our donors and Arizona foundations, expanding the nature preserve to 181 total acres. This portion includes Go John Canyon's very sensitive riparian ecosystem along Cave Creek wash. Cave Creek, one< of the last remaining free-flowing streams in Maricopa County, runs through the preserve, providing life-sustaining water for wildlife. The lush habitat created by the cottonwood willow forest and thick mesquite bosque flanking both sides of the creek is critical to native Sonoran desert animals. Arizona has already lost more that 90% of such riparian areas and it is critical that the remaining 10% be protected.

In fiscal year 2003 Go John Canyon Preserve grew by an additional 60 acres. This acquisition includes prime mule deer habitat, additional hillside containing desert washes that support species diversity in the preserve, and a portion of the old military road built in the 1870s from Fort McDowell to the territorial capital of Prescott. DFLT applied for an additional 30 acres late in the fiscal year, and this purchase was completed in October. It connects Go John Canyon Preserve to the 2,922-acre Cave Creek Recreation Area to the west, allowing wildlife living in or traveling through the recreation area permanent access to the preserved portion of Cave Creek. This parcel also contains a section of the historic military road, as well as many archaeological features, which will now be preserved and available for future study.

A short spur of Lou Menk trail was constructed so that people with limited mobility will now have the opportunity to tour a beautiful segment of the Go John Canyon Preserve. The trail surface is suitable for wheelchairs and small electric scooters. A generous donation from the Marshall family made this trail possible.

Total land under DFLT's protection in this beautiful canyon is 271 acres, more than half of our 500-acre goal. The ongoing financial support of our community and DFLT members is vital to our success.