Preservation: Last Ditch
Categories: Preservation: You Can Help
By: Mark Boardman 03/01/2008
Last Ditch
We know how it sounds—preserving a ditch.
But residents of Redlands, California, have good reason to save the Zanja—the irrigation ditch dates back to 1819! Buildings and cement currently cover a third of it.
The Redlands Conservancy is working with local government to buy and place easements on what is now private land. It’s not clear how much that would cost. If it can be done, plans call for an eight-mile-long park that would save the natural beauty and history of the place.
redlandsconservancy.org
Not Just Book Larnin’
You know that old adage, “those who can, do; those who can’t, teach”?
University of Texas Professor Michael Collins proves that saying wrong.
For several years, he and other UT researchers have been digging through a 33-acre section of Bell County, Texas, unearthing artifacts from a group of nomads. The Clovis followed mammoths from Siberia to Alaska and on down to what is now the continental U.S. They are believed to be the first people to enter the Americas. Some of the discovered relics date back more than 13,000 years (now that’s real old West).
The UT system leased the land from a private owner from 1999 to 2002. Then Collins tried to raise money to buy the property, but the effort fell short.
So Collins went the extra mile: he cashed in his personal savings and bought it himself last year. Then he donated it to the Archaeological Conservancy, based in New Mexico, which protects some 380 archaeology preserves in the nation. Collins is mum on how much he paid.
The Conservancy will oversee who does what on the property. Chances are pretty good that Collins will be able to continue his work there, don’t you think?
Worldly Salvation
St. Mary’s in the Mountains Catholic Church has been through enough trials to test the patience of Job.
The Virginia City, Nevada, landmark was built in 1869, and it served as a public meeting place during the heyday of the mining industry. In 1875, a fire destroyed most of Virginia City—but the walls of St. Mary’s still stood and the church was restored to its former glory that year. Its ornate interior, mostly created by European master craftsmen, was one of the most elaborate in North America.
A group of monks took over the building in 1957, but they decided the place was too “worldly.” Over the next two years, they stripped most of the insides.
Today’s St. Mary’s congregation may have only 20 members, but they took action to save their beloved church from falling apart. They sought contributions from across the nation—and not just from Catholics. Money came in from Protestants, Jews, even atheists. Late last year, the project received a $500,000 grant from the National Parks Service; the money is slated for new plumbing and wall stabilization.
Overall, St. Mary’s has raised about $1.7 million of the estimated $1.9 million needed to complete the restoration. If all goes as planned—and prayers are answered—work will be finished in 2010.
New Life for Texas Sites
Government can be the solution, not the problem.
On January 1, 16 historic sites were transferred from the control of Texas’ Parks & Wildlife Department to the Texas Historical Commission. A simple switch means new life for the sites.
Take Fort McKavett, a 19th-century military facility located about 80 miles southeast of San Angelo. Its new operating budget of $350,000 is double what it was last year. Four new staff members have been hired, and the fort will be open seven days a week, up from just four days in 2007. The other historic sites are seeing similar improvements.
The man behind the switch: State representative Harvey Hilderbran of Kerrville, who’s been a fundraising champion for historic sites and parks. He tells us that the Historical Commission is the logical agency to oversee these sites, as it has more time and resources to devote to them.
Share the Land
About one-third of the City of Scottsdale is slated to become public open space.
Deer, bobcats and javelina intermingle with local residents in a wildlife and vegetatian sanctuary that allows both to enjoy its natural surroundings—the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
It just got a little bigger.
An unnamed donor gave a conservation easement of 10 acres of upland Sonoran Desert to the Preserve in December. Estimated value of the land: $1.6 million.
The Preserve is overseen by the City of Scottsdale and the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, which was formed back in 1990. The ultimate goal: more than 36,000 acres, or about 57 square miles of natural, public open space. By preserving one-third of its city, Scottsdale is starting to live up to its claim as the “West’s Most Western Town.”
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