The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is an amazing place! I've worked as a steward for the last two years to help bring education about the Preserve to the public. In steward education,nature guides and pathfinders...I help connect the public to the magic of the Sonoran desert and our crown jewel, the Preserve. It is our mission to be THE people preserving nature.
Great organization working to maintain and develop the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, one of the largest urban preserves in the U. S.
Volunteering has a meaningful, positive impact on your community. My search for volunteer opportunities in non-profit organizations brought me to the MSC and what peaked my interest was a call for stewards to assist in the patrol of trails, and I could do it on my horse! What has motivated me to continue with this group of dedicated people, is the variety of ways that I can engage in land conservation and stewardship. From opportunities in trail maintaince to outreach and education programs that build support for open spaces in the community. It is important to enjoy the type of volunteer service you choose and the MSC provides me the chance to make a difference for the beautiful open lands and communities of this region and I take great pride in the fact that I have had a hand in protecting them forever.
As a McDowell Sonoran Conservancy trail maintenance volunteer I have been to work everywhere in the preserve. What a beautiful ecological and geological gem it is! At 16,000 acres and still growing, the City of Scottsdale could not develop and maintain the preserve without the assistance of hundreds of MSC volunteers. There is a wide variety of volunteer opportunities to meet the interest of anyone wishing to become involved.
I continue to be amazed at what a volunteer work force can do when they have a shared purpose. The concept of "preserving our desert and mountains for the benefit of this and all future generations" is a lofty yet achievable goal. The city of Scottsdale, owners of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, has paved the way by allowing the McDowell Conservancy (MSC) to train and educate over 400 Stewards to help protect the preserve, make it safer and affordable to all who desire to enjoy what nature has provided.