None The Nature Conservancy in Arizona Press Releases Search All Press Releases Tamera Skrovan Phone: (602) 322-6996 (480) 415-3933 (Cell) E-Mail: tskrovan@tnc.org

Conserving Arizona's Future Vows to Continue Efforts to Protect Important Land and Water across the State from Development 

Arizonans Clear about Value for Conservation of Important Natural Areas

Phoenix, Arizona— November 20, 2006 — Yes on Prop 106, Conserving Arizona's Future coalition vowed today to continue to move forward in their efforts to protect the important land and water across the state from development.  

"While our campaign is disappointed with the results, this election is only the first step on the road to protecting some of Arizona's treasured land and water from development," says Patrick Graham, chairperson of the Conserving Arizona's Future campaign. "The people of Arizona are clear about the value they hold for conservation, and as our communities grow, they are galvanized more than ever to protect those natural areas that make our state a special place to live."

Supported by a diverse coalition from across the state-teachers, business leaders, homeowners, outdoorsmen, ranchers, Republican and Democratic elected officials, and conservationists-Prop 106 would have protected 694,000 acres of important natural areas across the state, required the Arizona State Land Department to work cooperatively with communities to better manage growth, and safeguarded funding for the classroom.     

"Our coalition is committed to working with the people of Arizona and reaching out to our few opponents to protect Arizona's natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and our quality of life as we continue to grow," Graham says.

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to protect the most ecologically important lands and waters around the world for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.