Maricopa County continues to rank among the fastest growing regions in the nation, with much of that growth moving west. The land surrounding the White Tank Mountains remains largely undeveloped, offering a rare and time sensitive opportunity to guide growth responsibly while protecting the natural systems that make this landscape extraordinary.
Wildlife corridors are essential to that vision. They allow animals to move safely in search of food, water, and mates, while enabling plant species to spread and adapt. These connections sustain biodiversity, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and protect the scenic beauty that defines the White Tank Mountains for both people and wildlife.
Recognizing this opportunity early, White Tank Mountains Conservancy launched the Connectivity Initiative in 2016 as its core program. This proactive, science-based effort brings together landowners, developers, municipalities, and state agencies to better understand wildlife movement and thoughtfully integrate conservation into future land use planning around the mountains.
This work does not happen by chance. It happens because people like you believe the White Tanks are worth protecting.
If you value open space, thriving wildlife, and a West Valley that grows with intention, we invite you to act today. Explore our interactive Story Map, share it with your network, and consider making a gift to support the Connectivity Initiative. Your investment fuels research, strengthens partnerships, and ensures that conservation remains part of the conversation as our region grows.
Together, we can keep the Crown Jewel of the West Valley alive, connected, and thriving for generations to come.
Written by Sharma Torres, Executive Director
