History

The Santa Fe Conservation Trust (SFCT) was envisioned over breakfast discussions at the Tecolote Café with Bill deBuys, Leslie Barclay and Margo Cutler in the early 1990s.  It blossomed under Dale Ball’s leadership in 1993 when Atalaya Peak was going to be developed and a road had been bladed across its face, visible from everywhere in Santa Fe.  It took an Act of Congress to resolve the Atalaya issue, so in 1994, former Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall joined the board to help, staying on for nine years.  Thanks to the support of these founders and many people like you who care about protecting our natural environment, SFCT continues to preserve the land and cultural sites that tell the story of place, keep our air and water clean, protect wildlife habitat, defend scenic views and provide open space for recreation and enjoyment.

SFCT’s trails program brings a wonderful balance to this work, providing opportunities for the community to have a direct connection to nature.  Walter Ganz, a board member starting in 1996, oversaw SFCT’s first trail project, the improvement of the Atalaya Trail.  From there, SFCT had a hand in the development of 75 miles of dirt trails for outdoor recreation and enjoyment.  Today, hundreds of volunteers, led by SFCT’s trails manager, maintain the trails.  And we offer hikes, field trips, community cruises and urban walks to  ensure equitable and inclusive use of Santa Fe’s amazing trails.

Here’s a timeline of SFCT’s accomplishments since its founding in 1993.

Dale and Sylvia Ball

1993-1994 – SFCT is founded.  SFCT works with nine parties to reach an agreement to preserve Atalaya mountain.  Santa Fe County passes the Mountain Ordinance to prevent further hilltop development.

1997-1998 – SFCT works with the State and Santa Fe County to purchase a 12-mile easement along the Santa Fe Southern Railway line between Santa Fe and Lamy to create the Rail Trail.

1999-2002 – SFCT works with the County on the Spur Trail to connect the Santa Fe Community College to the Rail Trail.  Negotiations include trail crossings on the Veteran’s Memorial Bypass (599).

Arroyo Hondo Open Space

2001-2004 – The Arroyo Hondo Open Space Committee is formed to preserve 86-acres as an open, public access area.  SFCT funds an interpretive trail on the newly created County Open Space.

2004 – SFCT is awarded the Piñon Award for Excellence in the Environment.

2007-2010 – SFCT joins a community-wide effort to protect the west side of Sun Mountain from development, creating City Open Space and a conservation easement held by SFCT.

2008 – Successfully lobbied against the Oil and Gas exploration in the Galisteo Basin, leading to the moratorium. Dark Skies program launched.

2011-2012 – La Piedra Open Space and Trail created. With the help of numerous volunteers, the La Piedra Trail is completed, connecting the Dale Ball Trail system with the Santa Fe National Forest.

2014 – SFCT becomes a nationally accredited land trust.  Passport to Trails program starts.  SFCT begins trail maintenance for the City of Santa Fe.

Railyard Park & Plaza

2015 – SFCT accepts the 15.7-acre Santa Fe Railyard Park and Plaza conservation easement.

2016 – SFCT is awarded the Mayor’s Sustainability Award for transportation under the Trails Program.

2017 – SFCT is awarded the Mayor’s Sustainability Award for environmental protection.

2018 – Vámonos: Santa Fe Walks launches and reaches hundreds of walkers.

 

Upcoming Events

May
30
Fri
10:00 am Vámonos – Walk With Our Elders F... @ Bicentennial / Alto Park
Vámonos – Walk With Our Elders F... @ Bicentennial / Alto Park
May 30 @ 10:00 am
Vámonos - Walk With Our Elders Friday @ Bicentennial / Alto Park
2025 Friday Walk Dates May 30 – Friday @ 10amWalk With Our EldersBicentennial/Alto Park to SF River TrailMeet at 1121 Alto St/Behind MEG CenterHike Info: Easy; ADA JUNE 27 – Friday @ 10amWalk With Our[...]
May
31
Sat
9:00 am Vámonos – Saturday Hike @ Saturday Hikes Change Each Month!
Vámonos – Saturday Hike @ Saturday Hikes Change Each Month!
May 31 @ 9:00 am
Vámonos - Saturday Hike @ Saturday Hikes Change Each Month!
2025 Saturday Hike Dates May 31 – Saturday @ 9amVámonos Hike – Dovetail, A SFCT PropertyLearn about SFCT’s land restoration projectsMeet at 226 Thornton Ranch Road/Cottonwood THHike Info: Moderate; Dirt JUNE 21 – Saturday @[...]
Jun
4
Wed
5:30 pm Vámonos – Wednesday Wellness Walk @ Larragoite Park (Agua Fria Side)
Vámonos – Wednesday Wellness Walk @ Larragoite Park (Agua Fria Side)
Jun 4 @ 5:30 pm
Vámonos - Wednesday Wellness Walk @ Larragoite Park (Agua Fria Side)
2025 Wednesday Walk Dates May 21 – Wednesday @ 5:30pmWellness WalkAcequia Trail from Larragoite Park to Railyard ParkMeet at 1464 Cristobal ColonHike Info: Easy; ADA JUNE 4 – Wednesday @ 5:30pmWellness WalkAcequia Trail and Ashbaugh[...]
Jun
7
Sat
8:00 am Bullseye Monitoring Workshop @ Dovetail
Bullseye Monitoring Workshop @ Dovetail
Jun 7 @ 8:00 am – 3:30 pm
Bullseye Monitoring Workshop @ Dovetail
A Collaborative Learning Workshop by Melissa Houser of Santa Fe Conservation Trust and Jan-Willem Jansens of Ecotone Landscape Planning, LLC. During this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to conduct a Bullseye Survey of a[...]
Jun
10
Tue
6:00 pm Vámonos – Take a Walk on the Sou... @ Southside Library
Vámonos – Take a Walk on the Sou... @ Southside Library
Jun 10 @ 6:00 pm
Vámonos - Take a Walk on the Southside @ Southside Library
2025 Tuesday Walk Dates May 6 – Tuesday @ 6pmTake a Walk on the South SideSouth Side Library to Tierra Contenta TrMeet at 6599 Jaguar DriveHike Info: Easy; ADA June 10 – Tuesday @ 6pmTake[...]

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