Trust for Public Land Partners with Coronado National Forest to Protect 695 Acres in the Santa Catalina Mountains
Tucson, Ariz. – The Santa Catalina Ranger District, part of the Coronado National Forest, is growing. In partnership with Trust for Public Land, the Coronado National Forest has completed the acquisition of 695 acres near Oracle, Arizona—one of the largest remaining private inholdings within the forest. The project preserves recreational access and protects critical wildlife habitat in a popular area of the northern Santa Catalina Mountains.
Trust for Public Land worked closely with the Coronado National Forest, Pinal County, and a coalition of partners to complete the acquisition. Funding for the project was provided by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
“This acquisition represents a major win for public access and conservation in southern Arizona,” said Starr Woods, Project Manager for Trust for Public Land. “By protecting this land, we are ensuring that future generations can experience the natural beauty, wildlife, and recreational opportunities that make the Santa Catalina Mountains so special.”
The newly protected land features rolling grasslands and oak woodlands and secures access to Charouleau Gap Road (National Forest System Road #736). The acquisition expands opportunities for motorized recreation, hunting, camping, and other outdoor activities. It also enhances the U.S. Forest Service’s ability to manage the landscape and mitigate the growing threat of wildfire in the region.
The property lies within the boundary of the original Santa Catalina Forest Reserve, established in 1902, which later became part of the Coronado National Forest. Previously slated for residential development in 2006, the land was put on the market in 2022, creating a critical opportunity for conservation. The acquisition marks the largest land addition to the Coronado National Forest in 20 years.
Supporters of the project include Arizona Game and Fish, Pinal County, Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation, The Nature Conservancy of Arizona, Tucson Audubon Society, Arizona State Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, Southern Arizona Hiking Club, County Line Riders of Catalina, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, and Arizona Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly.
“The Santa Catalina Mountains are part of what makes Southern Arizona such a special place to live. Protecting this land means more opportunities for hikers, hunters and campers to enjoy the outdoors, while also conserving important wildlife habitat. I’m thankful to Trust for Public Land, the Coronado National Forest, Pinal County, and all the local partners who helped get this done,” said Senator Mark Kelly.
“Arizonans deserve access to the outdoors, and this project helps ensure that more people can explore, recreate, and connect with nature in the Santa Catalina Mountains,” said Senator Ruben Gallego. “By securing access to key routes and preserving this landscape, we’re creating more opportunities for outdoor recreation while protecting the natural spaces that make Arizona special. This is a great example of how we can expand access and invest in our public lands at the same time.”
Trust for Public Land negotiated with the seller and facilitated the acquisition as part of its mission to expand access to nature and protect important landscapes across the country.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund was established by Congress in 1964 and permanently funded in 2020 through the Great American Outdoors Act. Since its inception, LWCF has helped protect more than 1.5 million acres of land within or adjacent to national forests.
Trust for Public Land has played a significant role in protecting Arizona’s iconic landscapes and expanding access to the outdoors across the state. Working in partnership with communities, Tribes, and public agencies, TPL has protected more than 300,000 acres, helping conserve critical habitats, water resources, and recreation areas from Saguaro National Park to the Verde River watershed. By focusing on both conservation and community access, TPL ensures these landscapes remain protected and accessible for future generations.
About Trust for Public Land
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.
