Paradise Valley Mountain Preserve Trust marks 25th anniversary

The Paradise Valley Mountain Preserve Trust celebrated its past work and mission going forward with a 25th anniversary proclamation, issued by Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner.

The proclamation was bestowed to Trust officials during an Oct. 27 Paradise Valley Town Council meeting.

The Paradise Valley Mountain Preserve Trust was formerly established as a separate 501(c)(3) charitable conservation trust on Nov. 6, 1997. Its purpose is to acquire, maintain, preserve and protect in perpetuity undeveloped and developed real property that can be returned to its natural state on and around the mountain preserve within Paradise Valley.

By acquiring property through deed and conservation easements, the Trust will preserve the natural landscape, desert plants, wildlife and scenic beauty of mountain areas of the town for future generations. Through the generosity of town residents, the Trust stewards more than 250 acres the mountain areas within and surrounding the Town of Paradise Valley.

Chariman Fred Pakis and members of the Trust’s board of directors were in attendance at the Oct. 27 Town Council meeting to accept the proclamation, which Mayor Bien-Willner read aloud.

“I’d like to certainly give thanks to our donors, who generously have protected the mountain, its wildlife, its landscape and open spaces. It benefits the future generations of our town,” said Pakis. “It’s truly, I think, a notable and important legacy they have left us. People say charity begins at home and sometimes the best form of philanthropy and volunteerism occurs in your own home town, that’s certainly the case here.”

In addition to Pakis, the Paradise Valley Mountain Preserve Trust’s board of directors is made up of: John W. Graham, vice chairman; and board members Stephen Evans, Dr. Teresa Heatly Zachariah, Martha Hunter Henderson, Joan Levinson and George Getz.