Success! Yesterday, Western Rivers Conservancy preserved a crucial stretch of Arizona’s East Verde River and secured a recreational gateway to the Mazatzal Wilderness!
Thanks to your support, and to funding from the (recently reauthorized!) Land and Water Conservation Fund, we just conserved the strategically located Doll Baby Ranch. It is now officially protected within the Tonto National Forest, and the primary access point for more than 250 square miles of public lands is now permanently open to all. These lands include a vast portion of the Mazatzal Wilderness, the Arizona National Scenic Trail and the Verde Wild and Scenic River corridor.
Just outside of Payson and roughly two hours from Phoenix, the Doll Baby Ranch traces a mile of the East Verde River, a lifeline for the diverse fish and wildlife on the northern edge of the Sonoran Desert. The East Verde is the least disturbed arm of the Verde, an outstanding Arizona river that flows into the Salt. Together, these streams sustain some of the most diverse fish and wildlife in the American Southwest.
With the completion of this project, a critical stretch of the East Verde has been conserved, and access to some of Arizona’s greatest outdoor recreation has been guaranteed for good.
Thank you for helping make this project possible!
