Mike Rigney: A Retrospective

Mike Rigney Previous DFLT Executive Director

 
When Greg asked me to provide my perspective on the Desert Foothills Land Trust over the three and a half years of my tenure as Executive Director, I felt challenged to provide some words of wisdom for him, our many community supporters and the Board of Directors. After the big conservation gains of the late 90's and early 00's when we secured Go John Canyon and the Jewel of the Creek, we hit a wall when the Arizona Preserve Initiative was declared unconstitutional. We quickly realized that in order for major gains in land protection to be realized, we had to promote substantive changes to our constitution and make conservation a priority for the general public - and the Conserving Arizona's Future campaign was born.

While a statewide effort was underway, DFLT staff worked with local landowners and public officials to conduct habitat restoration projects and preserve smaller areas. Notable among the latest preservation gains was the 26-acre Ranchitos del Rey Preserve in Carefree. Our docent program was conceived and inaugurated with great success by Melanie Williams and former Conservation Director Thom Hulen. Many of our trails were expanded and enhanced and we developed a unique approach to cooperative land management through the Desert Foothills Natural Resource Initiative.

We were all devastated by the loss of Conserving Arizona's Future in last November's general election but life goes on. I decided I needed to pursue one of my passions - GIS and also decided it was time for me to explore other career options as well.

In looking back I realize that the DFLT was in the right place at the right time with the right people to capitalize on the brief window of opportunity the Arizona Preserve Initiative afforded us in making substantial land conservation gains. We must now do the hard work of focusing on smaller parcels and build upon the great "conservation ethic" already in place in Cave Creek and Carefree. The Desert Hills/New River area is poised to grow rapidly and the organization will be challenged to spread that conservation ethic broadly in those communities.

DFLT is blessed to have a great history, energized new staff members in Greg Gamble, Stacy Fischer, and Mary Warren, and a great base of support. I will continue volunteer to lead field trips and support the organization's efforts. It's fortunate that I will be close at hand working for the Town of Cave Creek as we all struggle to "preserve the spirit of the desert" together. If your travels take you to Cave Creek Town Hall make sure you drop in to say hello.