History of The Turquoise Trail Preservation Trust

In 2007, the Turquoise Trail Preservation Trust was founded to develop a vision, as well as long term planning strategies, for the Turquoise Trail and its surrounding region.  The Trail is one of New Mexico’s eight National Scenic Byways, noted for astonishing beauty, historical towns and rich cultural history.

Since our founding in 2007, our volunteer board has led initiatives that: blocked a proposed gravel mine on BLM land; spearheaded a campaign against a gold mine; and made good progress on developing San Pedro’s recreational trail system. We also spent countless hours working with Santa Fe County, representing citizens issues ranging from the Oil & Gas and Mining Ordinances, Gravel Pit Ordinances, as well as implementing overlay preservation zoning and the writing of the County Code.

Grassroots organizations along the Trail have joined our efforts, working piecemeal to address localized threats and often struggling to mobilize broader support. The greatest challenge from a strategic point of view was that there had been no way of coordinating groups to share information and unite quickly when there are threatening issues.

In 2016, we initiated a plan to leverage our collective strength.  We formed an umbrella organization: The Turquoise Trail Regional Alliance to provide a framework to link community and grassroots organizations.

The scope of the region that we seek to protect includes the area east of the Sandia Mountains, roughly bounded by I-25, I-40, Hwy 285 and Hwy 41.  Our goal is to preserve the intrinsic beauty of our natural scenic landscape, the ecological habitat which is recognized as a critical wildlife corridor, archaeological sites, local businesses and the cultural and historic qualities of the Trail.

Determined by issues affecting the Trail

1st: Strengthen and build our coalition through communication, education and sharing.

2nd: Liaison with State, County and private land owners to complete a recreational trail system connecting the San Pedro Mountains to the Sandia Mountains all along the southern half of the Turquoise Trail.

3rd: Interact with government entities as appropriate. As our region covers three counties – Santa Fe, Sandoval and Bernalillo counties – we regularly participate in meetings that take place. We are often involved on the State level as well, depending on what Bills are introduced in the annual Legislative session.