Cedar Springs

Cedar Springs, ArizonaPhoto credit: Steve Gatewood

A working ranch for over 100 years, Cedar Springs is also a haven for wildlife. Natural springs on the property provide water for ranching and wildlife on 350,000 surrounding acres. The fragile riparian forest ecosystems that depend on the springs are an especially imperiled habitat identified by the State of Arizona as a top priority or Forest Legacy Program (FLP) funding.

Located just 30 minutes from downtown Flagstaff and 45 minutes from the Grand Canyon, the ranch faced steady development pressure.  In 2007, The Trust for Public Land approached the landowner—who had a long, dedicated history of conservation—with the proposal that Cedar Springs become Arizona's first Forest Legacy Program (FLP) project.  He agreed.  The US Forest Service (through FLP) provided funding for 75% of the value of the conservation easement on 640 acres, with the final 25% donated by the landowner. The conservation easement ensures that Cedar Springs will remain privately owned but undeveloped, and connected to the protected lands that surround it. 

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