White Tank Mountains Conservancy celebrates new giving initiative

 The White Tank Mountains Conservancy gathered regional elected officials and conservation leaders at the Verrado Grille to honor co-founders Jackie A. Meck and Todd Hornback, while officially launching its new planned estate giving initiative.

The newly established Hornback & Meck Legacy Society provides supporters with a structured path to include the non-profit in their estate planning, creating a long-term financial foundation to sustain the organization's regional conservation efforts.

Established in 2014, the White Tank Mountains Conservancy is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural resources of the White Tank Mountains. As rapid urban growth expands across surrounding communities, the WTMC brings together cities, real estate developers, and conservationists to balance regional development with environmental stewardship. The organization focuses on protecting critical wildlife corridors so native animals like mule deer, mountain lions and javelinas can roam freely and maintain genetic diversity.

Meck and Hornback co-founded the WTMC to ensure the mountains' open spaces remain protected for future generations.

"Today is about recognizing the foundation that Mayor Meck and Todd built, which has allowed us to grow into a vital voice for the region," said Sharma Torrens, executive director of the WTMC. "The launch of our Legacy Society ensures that their vision and the values they champion will continue to be at the heart of the Conservancy’s work for generations to come."

Visit wtmconservancy.org for details about the non-profit's wildlife corridor initiatives and volunteer opportunities.