In a proclamation read at the Nov. 7, Town Council meeting Mayor Linda Kavanagh stated “the preservation of the McDowell Mountains and the Sonoran Desert has been established as a high priority of the Town of Fountain Hills and its citizens.”

That proclamation followed up with “it is the desire of the (town) to celebrate the unique environment of its Preserve, and … to raise awareness regarding the need to preserve these valuable treasures for future generations.”

To that end the Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills and the town’s McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission jointly hosted an Expo on Nov. 16, inviting residents and visitors to interact close up with some of the inhabitants of the desert area as well as learn about the history and efforts protect and preserve the mountain areas.

The MMPC was established in the 1990s after the citizens committed to $6 million to a McDowell Mountain Preserve. An additional $7 million was financed by the town by committing sales tax dollars.

The Conservancy was established to plan and construct a trail system within the Preserve. The trail system is considered one of the safest in the area by using trail markers at quarter-mile intervals to let hikers know their exact location in the event of an emergency, and cell service covers most of the Preserve.

The emergency access also includes seven identified helicopter landing sites to make it easier to reach injured hikers or bikers.

The expo event earlier this month featured information booths and displays including Liberty Wildlife bringing live birds to meet the people.

McDowell Mountain Park Interpretative Ranger Amy Burnett brought some of her favorite live critters including a gopher snake, tarantula, baby desert tortoise and desert hairy scorpion.

Visitors were able to touch and hold the gopher snake if they were so inclined.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office had a helicopter on display that can be used for desert searches. The MCSO Lake Patrol Division had a display that included a vehicle and equipment.

The Sheriff’s Office K-9 Search and Rescue Posse was present with a number of their trained and friendly dogs to meet the public.

With cooler weather citizens are invited and encouraged to take to the trails within the preserve either on their own or with one of the organized groups.