The Land Preservation Task Force

 

The Land Preservation Task Force was founded in 1996 at a Keep Sedona Beautiful board meeting and has worked actively ever since. The group has accomplished much in this time period and continues today.

Early on, the Task Force decided they needed outside help to acquire some of the unique and significant lands in the Sedona area to donate to the USFS. Taking a cue from the USFS management plan, Amendment 12, the group decided to work to acquire the lands listed in that Amendment and convey ownership to the Coconino National Forest.  The Task Force set up a three-partner working group to accomplish their goals:

  • The first partner is Keep Sedona Beautiful’s dedicated volunteers who identify the parcels desired and raise the funding to acquire those parcels.
  • The second partner is the United States Forest Service who does the necessary work within their organization to receive these parcels once they were acquired.
  • The third partner is the Trust for Public Land in Santa Fe who use their expertise on land options and acquisitions, federal appraisals and their tremendous fund handling capability to acquire the parcels and donate them to the USFS.

This threesome continues to work in the fashion described in the original formative meetings of the Task Force. To date, the Task Force has acquired 513 acres at a cost of $18.85 million.

 

We are proud of our success in acquiring the following:

  • Thompson Original Homestead of 15.5 acres in Munds Canyon, a side canyon to Oak Creek Canyon and source of one of the main springs feeding Oak Creek. Acquired 8/98 for $1.1 million.

  • Cleeves Property, a parcel of approximately 110 acres at the end of the road just past Honanki Ruin in the Red Cliffs area of Yavapai County, 18 miles northwest of Sedona. Acquired 3/99 for $2.3 million.
  • Woo Ranch, a 160-acre parcel in the Red Cliffs area, adjacent to Palatki Ruin about 10 miles northwest of Sedona. Acquired 8/00 for $6.9 million.
  • Smyrnis property, a 25-acre parcel adjacent to Cleeves Property northwest of Sedona. Aquired 8/00 for $.5 million.
  • Bradshaw Ranch, a 90-acre parcel in the area of Red Canyon northwest of Sedona. Acquired 4/01 for $3.5 million.
  • Hancock Ranch, an 88-acre ranch and the residence of area pioneer rancher Mary Hancock, before her death at age 96. Acquired 5/04 for $3.95 million.
  • Thomas Point, a rugged 25-acre parcel adjacent to Highway 89A in beautiful Oak Creek Canyon. Acquired 6/05 for $0.6 million.

Future Goal:

  • To continue to acquire parcels in the Sedona area for preservation.

 

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