BACKGROUND:
Daisy Mountain is a long extinct volcano, which sits in an approximately six-square-mile area of state trust lands. These lands were set aside “in trust” when Arizona became a state. According to Ann Hutchinson, Executive Director of NCC, “This is not like park land. Being held in trust means that it is treated like private land.” All uses of State Trust Land must benefit thirteen beneficiaries, of which Common Schools (K-12) are the largest, owning eighty-seven percent of the land and receiving ninety percent of the revenue. (Source: State Land Department
Land Beneficiaries, online at www.land.state.az.us/beneficiaries.htm)

Area wildlife has been pushed ever northward and condensed into unhealthy proximity to urban sprawl. Geologic features are being shoveled, graded, and pushed into unnatural configurations. Natural vegetation is being replaced in the natural process of wind, bird, and animal waste, spreading seeds from non-native species planted in neighboring subdivisions. Mankind can be, and often is, a destructive weight on the natural world, but Daisy Mountain offers refuge and provides a link to the Tonto National Forest.

THE NCC IS DOING SOMETHING:
The NCC is addressing these problems with education, promoting conservation, and scientific study regarding natural resources and environmentally-sensitive lands. A counterweight to the destructive potential in imminent urban encroachment and an advocate of sound land use policies, the NCC attempts to foster an increased appreciation and understanding of the natural resources indigenous to the North Country area by working with and through elementary and high school students and community groups.

Education is a major focus of planning for the NCC. “We want to work with the school systems, which may mean providing insurance and qualified chaperones,” Ann confided. Giving people a first-hand experience of the beauty and allure of Daisy Mountain calls for intense planning and no small amount of money and time. Permits are required for use of State Trust Lands. For group activity, there are group permits available, but there is still a $50 price tag and specific qualifying criteria along with money for liability insurance. Ann is concerned that charging folks to climb Daisy Mountain will be perceived as a money-making endeavor instead of a consciousness raising experience.

Everything hinges on creating awareness. If people are not aware of the predicament, for them it doesn’t exist. The problem does exist though, and the danger to this Arizona landmark is very real. Developers are interested in the foothills area. Time is against those who love and want to preserve the mountain and its foothills. Teams are needed to spread the word.

THE THREAT:
From the time of the founding of New River by Lord Darrell Duppa as a stagecoach stop in 1868, Daisy Mountain has been a local landmark. Generations of Arizonans have hiked, prospected, hunted, and recreated in this lovely natural landscape. Now, it is being slowly devoured by a land-hungry population bent on developing the natural beauty out of this largely untamed section of the state.

In 2005, a plan to sell Daisy Mountain and its surrounding foothills in the State Trust almost became a reality. Ann recalls, “Public outcry from almost 1,000 people stopped the sale.” This public support combined with a failure to follow strict guidelines requiring close work with Maricopa County, prevented the sale and bought additional time. Last year, preservation organizations statewide banded together to attempt passing an initiative to set aside State land as preserves; they came close. This year, a decision was reached to postpone another attempt until 2010 to give the legislature a chance to do something.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
It is hoped that either the city or county will see the many benefits to making Daisy Mountain a park. As Ann points out, “The area needs a park of that size, and our mountain is not prime land for building. It lacks water, which would be costly to provide.” She noted that legislators need to be made aware that the “mental and physical health of the community” would be greatly enhanced with the existence of such a resource.

Then again, maybe compromise is the only answer. One middle ground approach makes the City of Phoenix a business partner with a builder who would buy the mountain, build on the flat and work with the City to create a park on the remaining slopes of the mountain. Yet another proposal is to attract businesses that specialize in eco-friendly outdoor recreation, such as hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, or mountain biking. They could provide recreational experiences on the mountain while seeing that it retains its natural beauty and allure.

DAISY IS WORTH THE EFFORT:
Just walking in this place of natural beauty creates a sense of serenity. Saguaros, fairy dusters, creosote and brittle bushes, wildflowers, and other desert vegetation wait to burst into bloom after a spring rain. Coyotes, long-eared Jack rabbits, javelinas, and even a few rattlesnakes can be viewed by those fortunate enough to have a permit to hike this natural wonderland. Be careful if you decide to approach one of the three old patent mines or stumble over one of several other test mines on the side of the mountain. It cannot all be seen in one trip, but returning is not in question, once you have been hooked by Daisy Mountain. The view from the top is spectacular, and you want to see it all and see it again and again. It gets in your blood.

Residents of Anthem, Desert Foothills, and New River have instant access to Daisy Mountain. Trailheads exist in each community, and all that is needed is a permit, a good pair of boots and plenty of water. Acquiring a $50 individual or $75 family permit from the State Trust is as easy as calling 602.364.ASLD (2753). Trails do exist, but they are neither designated nor maintained. Much of the mountain is as the Hohokum and later pioneers found it, wild and untamed. It is important that visitors remain on existing trails and take a friend. Take a camera, but walk with care as loose gravel and steep inclines encourage caution.

NOW IS THE TIME TO DO SOMETHING:
Looking to the future of the North Valley and the resources available to attract and retain strong commercial, residential, and recreational interests, Daisy Mountain should be at the top of every list. Residents in the Valley of the Sun love their mountains, and Daisy Mountain is still essentially untouched. As development encroaches, there is no better time to institute strong measures to plan wisely for the future. A city, county, or state park in the middle of the rapidly developing north corridor to Phoenix is necessary for the health and well being of the entire area. 

For now, the greatest challenge the NCC faces is funding. If you love the mountain or just want to help save an important part of Arizona’s natural heritage, contact the North Country Conservancy, Inc. through their website at www.daisymountain.org. You may also send mail to: 515 E. Carefree Highway, #638, Phoenix, AZ 85085-8839, or you can call them at either 623.742.6514 or 480.595.7462. If you have access to email, their address is info@daisymountain.org.