Trust for Public Land, Archaeology Southwest, and Bureau of Land Management Protect 477 Acres of Culturally Significant Lands in the Sonoran Desert
Trust for Public Land (TPL), in partnership with Archaeology Southwest and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), announced today the permanent protection of 477 acres of cultural and ecological significance along a seven-mile stretch of the Lower Gila River in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. The land will be managed by the BLM, expanding the agency’s legacy in protecting irreplaceable cultural and natural resources.
The ten parcels of land lie within the Gila River Terraces and Lower Gila Historic Trails Area of Critical Environmental Concern and are adjacent to existing BLM lands, including a proposed addition to the Woolsey Peak Wilderness. The area is also within the boundaries of the proposed Great Bend of the Gila National Conservation Area, as outlined in legislation introduced in the last Congress.
“This is a transformative step forward in our collective efforts to protect one of Arizona’s most culturally significant landscapes,” said Michael Patrick, Senior Project Manager for Trust for Public Land. “From ancient Hohokam village sites to stunning desert ecosystems, this land is a vital part of our shared heritage and will open new access to existing public lands.”
Trust for Public Land purchased the land from Rezzonico Ranches to preserve its archeological treasures. The Rezzonico family has been farming and has had dairy operations in Arizona for over 100 years.
“My family has deep roots in Arizona and a love of the land,” said Amy Rezzonico. “We’re honored to allow TPL to acquire the land from us and to leave a truly special conservation legacy.” The family will use this preservation project to honor the late Velma Rezzonico and commemorate her love for Arizona and Tribal communities.
The newly protected area contains a dense concentration of archaeological resources, including four pre-Hohokam and Hohokam village sites dating from approximately 700 to 1250 CE. Each village includes a ball court—one of the most distinctive and significant features of Hohokam culture. These courts likely served as gathering places for competitive games, regional markets, and inter-village diplomacy.
The northern parcels include a large village site adjacent to a half mile-long basaltic escarpment rich with petroglyphs. Archaeology Southwest, which owns 80 acres within the escarpment area, has cataloged thousands of petroglyphs and describes the broader site as among the most important archaeological landscapes in Arizona still in private ownership.
“Coming on the tails of a decade of research, planning, and engaging with partners and Tribes, the finalization of this transaction is incredibly gratifying,” said Stephen E. Nash, President & CEO of Archaeology Southwest. “Congratulations to all involved, and especially the American People, who now take over stewardship for these lands and the heritage they carry.”
The southern parcels include three additional village sites, all of which feature ball courts and evidence of extensive irrigation systems—hallmarks of the Hohokam civilization, which flourished in the Sonoran Desert from 450 to 1450 CE.
In addition to its cultural significance, the project protects vital desert habitat and creates new opportunities for public access for sportsmen and other outdoor recreationalists to nearby Wilderness and proposed Wilderness areas. The protection of these lands is strongly supported by organizations such as Arizona Game and Fish, Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation, Audubon Southwest, Arizona State University, Arizona Site Stewards, and the Lower Gila River Collaborative.
The project has also received strong support from tribal communities with ancestral ties to the area. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the Gila River Indian Community, and the Tohono O’odham Nation all submitted letters of support, underscoring the importance of preserving these sites with respect and care.
The Rezzonico family was represented by Land Advisors Organization, one of the nation’s largest land brokerage firms, and Greg Tatham of GT Property Services. Land Advisors’ Conservation Group is led by Heather Reading and provides expertise in developing multi-generational land strategies and assisting clients in leaving a conservation legacy.
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 5,504 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $110 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 9.7 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.
About Archaeology Southwest
Founded in 1989, Archaeology Southwest is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Tucson, Arizona, on the homelands of the Tohono O’odham Nation and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. We are privileged to work across the US Southwest and into northwestern Mexico on the Lands and Territories of many Indigenous Tribes and descendant communities.
