Commonweal Conservancy

Conservation and recreation planning:with support from the santa fe fat tire society, core crew and other enthusiasts of the galisteo basin preserve, Commonweal developed two miles of new hiking, cycling and equestrian trails for public use. Concurrently, staff and volunteers completed a number of trail maintenance projects that improved the safety and navigibility of trail segments effected by erosion and over-use. More than 450 hours of volunteer time were devoted to trail building, maintenance and repairs in 2022/23.the preserve trail system is actively used by more than 30,000 of visitors from northern new mexico and across the nation each year. The preserve maintains the largest network of nonprofit owned publicly accessible trails in the american southwest.concurrently with its recreational development efforts, Commonweal Conservancy helped facilitate the reconstruction of a historic wetland- one that provides local fauna and migrating birds an important source of new water and food during times of drought. The organization also engaged more than 45 volunteers to remove four miles of barbed wire fencing. The fence removal initiative serves to protect wildlife from injury and facilitate the flow of mammals through the grassland and upland areas of the preserve. More than 65 hours of volunteer time were devoted to habitat improvement initiatives at the preserve.

Partnered with more than a half-dozen nonprofit land conservation and community development organizations and public agencies to advance a plan for a network of regional trails throughout santa fe county, new mexico. Collaborated with community leaders to ensure that the trails of the preserve could serve as the "southern terminus" of this regional recreational and commuter-serving trail system for county residents.

Conservation transactions:as of june 29, 2023, Commonweal Conservancy conveyed eight conservation easements to the santa fe conservation trust to ensure those properties permanent protection as open space, trail use and wildlife habitat. Commonweal's conservation easement donations support the program and mission goals of the santa fe county open space and trails program, as well as the environmental protection ambitions of galisteo basin community members. These conservation easements protect grassland and forest habitat for the benefit of a wide range of species of plants and animals, as well as ensure permanent public access to approximately 45 miles of hiking, cycling and equestrian trails. Since its founding in 2003, Commonweal has facilitated the donation of more than two dozen protective conservation easements over more than 10,000 acres within the galisteo basin watershed.

Community development:since its founding in 2003, Commonweal has pursued an integrative approach to land conservation and environmentally responsible community development. Toward that end, Commonweal supervised development activity within the preserve neighborhoods to ensure that new construction would not adversely impact the scenic, habitat or cultural resource values of the preserve.