WTMC Accomplishments 2025-26 for COB.pdf
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White Tank Mountains Conservancy 430 South Watson Road, #107, Buckeye, AZ 85326 info@wtmconservancy.org White Tank Mountains Conservancy Accomplishments 2025/2026 for City of Buckeye Programming/Events: The White Tank Mountains Conservancy (WTMC) has assisted the City of Buckeye in multiple capacities throughout the fiscal year. These are specified below: Youth Programs: In conjunction with the City of Buckeye Parks & Recreation, 10 field trips were held at Skyline Park, attended by 888 students. Desert Defenders: There is currently no official Desert Defenders program in Skyline Park, but an individual steward recorded 6 hours of service. At a non-official event, 37 lbs of plant invasives were removed by four WTMC volunteers at Skyline. WTMC remains committed to supporting the park, assisting the City of Buckeye with any needed mapping efforts, and hopes to expand the program to include community Desert Defenders events in Skyline Park. Trash Clean up There were two litter pick-ups at Victory Steps, resulting in the removal of 74 pounds of trash. A similar event was held at Skyline, resulting in the removal of 12 pounds. WTMC Trail Support in Skyline Park 1. Individual trail steward hours Skyline Park: 353 2. Hours supporting Skyline Park organized hiking events: 169 3. Individual trail steward hours Verrado Trails: 196 Outreach Events in Buckeye: Five Events 1. Coyote Library Volunteer Fair 2. Teravalis Open House 3. Verrado Giving Tree Event 4. Earth Day Celebration at Skyline 5. Verrado Backyard Tour. White Tank Mountains Conservancy 430 South Watson Road, #107, Buckeye, AZ 85326 info@wtmconservancy.org Volunteer Hours - July 1, 2025 - April 18, 2026: ● Youth Field Trips in Skyline Park: 265 ● Total Skyline Park Trails: 528 ● Verrado Trails: 196 ● Outreach Events: 60 Total Volunteer Hours Dedicated to Buckeye, July 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026: 1,049 Please note that all the above hours are recorded by WTMC stewards in Volgistics. However, not all stewards are diligent about recording their volunteer hours, and the above total is likely an underestimate of the actual hours dedicated to the City of Buckeye. Recognition: The White Tank Mountains Conservancy has made great strides in gaining recognition across the Valley throughout 2025 and into the start of 2026. In December 2025, we were honored to be named an AZ Business Angel for 2025 by AZ Big Media, winning the title of Nonprofit Organization of the Year. This incredible achievement would not have been possible without the support of our White Tank Mountains Conservancy 430 South Watson Road, #107, Buckeye, AZ 85326 info@wtmconservancy.org dedicated partner, Teravalis, a community of Howard Hughes Holdings, whose commitment to thoughtful development continues to help us integrate conservation into the region’s growth. In March, the Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Awards banquet was held. We appreciate the City of Buckeye nominating the Connectivity Initiative for an award. While we didn’t take home the top spot, the nomination alone reflects the growing impact of our mission in the West Valley. Connectivity Initiative - Linkage Plan: In December of 2023, WTMC successfully completed its ongoing collaboration with land developers, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Bureau of Reclamation, Central Arizona Water District, and the Flood Control District of Maricopa County to finalize a Conceptual Wildlife Linkage. This wildlife linkage footprint has been strategically co-located with areas of existing and planned infrastructure (flood control structures, the CAP, and powerlines) and areas of low development potential (flood areas and non-development slope-grade areas). From July 2025 to April 2026, WTMC team members Dana Warnecke, Sharma Torrens, Alexa Holzinger, and Laurel Arndt have been actively engaging with West Valley cities and key regional organizations to educate stakeholders and explore opportunities for collaborative implementation of the Conceptual Wildlife Linkage. WTMC completed and submitted a comprehensive grant report to the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, requesting funding to support a third year of AZGFD partnership funding to expand surveys and further regional research efforts. Along with this, the team has developed a strategic plan to conduct an in-depth analysis of the parcels within the wildlife linkage corridor. Building on this momentum, Dana Warnecke completed and published an updated Story Map on WTMC’s website after an estimated 215 hours of volunteer work. This four-volume StoryMap collection provides an in-depth look at the benefits of maintaining connectivity, including sustaining the mountains' natural heritage, preserving a healthy, interconnected ecological system, enhancing quality of life, and fostering economic vibrancy across the west valley and beyond. Looking ahead, WTMC remains committed to fostering partnerships, advancing regional collaboration, and integrating conservation into future development. The progress made over the past year reflects the dedication of our team and supporters, and we are excited to build on this momentum. Together, we are shaping a future where growth and preservation go hand in hand for the benefit of both people and wildlife in the West Valley.