For more than a year, a team of consultants, led by Poster Frost Associates, worked with the Pima County Board of Supervisors, Pima County staff, the Canoa Ranch Community Trust and Oversight Committee, and local stakeholders to develop a Master Plan for the Historic Canoa Ranch. Since purchasing the 4,800 acre Canoa Ranch, south of Green Valley, in 2001, Pima County has embarked on a number of projects at the ranch to preserve and protect the valuable natural and cultural resources. The preservation and restoration of historic buildings were completed in early 2013, and efforts to protect important habitat and restore natural systems continue today. The Master Plan represents an important milestone towards the goal of making the Canoa Ranch a public site where its rich history can be understood and appreciated by visitors.

Fort Lowell was a supply base for the United States Army “Apache Campaigns” between 1873 and 1891. Following abandonment of the fort in 1891, settlers moved in and used some fort buildings as residences, or stripped the buildings of useful materials. By the 1930s, much of the fort had fallen into disrepair or had been sold off. Eventually, the City of Tucson acquired a large portion of the old fort which became what is today’s “Fort Lowell Park.” A 5.2 acre (“Adkins”) parcel of the former fort containing several original adobe buildings was still in private ownership, and the 2004 County bond election passed a proposal to acquire the land and preserve the historic resources.

This five-year update of Arizona’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is in accordance with the provisions of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, which was enacted in 1964 to encourage the provision of greater recreation opportunities for American citizens. Arizona receives annual congressional appropriations administered through the Arizona State Parks Board to fund state and local government sponsored outdoor recreation projects.

This update of Arizona’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan is in accordance with the provisions of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, which was enacted in 1964 to encourage the provision of greater recreation opportunities for American citizens. Arizona receives annual congressional appropriations from LWCF, administered through the Arizona State Parks Board to fund state and local government sponsored outdoor recreation projects.

Describes the relation of the current and proposed system of mountain parks and preserves to the ongoing multi-species conservation planning process. Business interests will be able to pursue land uses which impact habitat, so long as defined conservation standards are met. This report simply frames planning possibilities by outlining the known potential of twelve park and preserve areas in eastern Pima County.