Oro Valley Celebrates Community and Conservation Efforts
By Mayor Joe Winfield
Oro Valley has always cherished its scenic beauty, wildlife, and commitment to the environment. Over the past year, our dedication to stewardship has shone through stronger than ever, thanks to the teamwork between the Town, residents, and our regional partners. I’d like to share some of the highlights with you.
Last year, we had a memorable day celebrating the ribbon cutting of the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. This wonderful achievement was possible due to the hard work and generosity of Preserve Vistoso, many residents, The Conservation Fund, Ross Rulney, and our Town staff. With the land secured, the community came together to shape its future, ensuring it reflects our shared values.
Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve offers locals and visitors a chance to connect with the Sonoran Desert’s plants and animals. It’s a peaceful spot to focus on wellness, both physically and mentally. This preserve is a legacy for our Town, something to be treasured by generations.
In April, we celebrated another milestone with the completion of the State Route 77 Wildlife Protection Gate and Fence Project. This project involved years of collaboration to find a solution that protected wildlife while maintaining residents’ quality of life. Teaming up with the Pima Association of Governments and other local agencies, we created a fence and gate system to guide wildlife safely and keep them out of harm’s way on the roads.
Excitingly, our partnership with the Pima County Regional Flood Control District led to a new segment of The Chuck Huckelberry Loop. This addition not only enhances our trail network but also improves access for flood management in Big Wash, an important wildlife habitat. With better access, Pima County staff can now monitor and care for this area more effectively.
Projects like these require time and cooperation to succeed. The pathways connecting these areas involved coordination with landowners and local associations, while our Stormwater Utility team worked closely with Pima County to complete the trail in May.
Aside from these projects, we continue to promote environmental stewardship through initiatives like the SolarAPP+ permitting process, making rooftop solar installations simpler for residents. We’re also proud of the Keep OV Beautiful program, which mobilizes volunteers to maintain our town’s natural charm and cleanliness.
On Earth Day, our staff volunteered to remove invasive buffelgrass from Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve. Additionally, our Adopt-A-Road and Adopt-A-Trail programs earned the 2023 Flag Forward Award for their smart infrastructure management, thanks to the many volunteers who help keep our community tidy.
Oro Valley showcases how lasting stewardship is possible through community collaboration. The past fiscal year has been filled with successful partnerships and innovative decisions that safeguard our town’s future.
Reflecting on my words from last year’s Vistoso Trails ribbon cutting, it’s important to remember that balancing preservation with growth can be challenging. Yet, by working together, we can achieve so much more.
Sources
– Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve on Google Maps
– The Chuck Huckelberry Loop on Google Maps