We have been so fortunate the past few years. Arizona’s economy has been robust without any budget shortfalls. That has made the Legislature much less difficult to deal with in regards to fully funded Heritage projects.

The Morrison Institute, in a 2007 study of ideas and public policies for livability and competitiveness, states "The Heritage Fund stands out in part because of the diversity of programs it supports. Funds have been used to maintain trails, acquire and maintain habitat for endangered species, preserve historic and archeological sites, create and improve community and state parks, and provide environmental education."

The Arizona Heritage Alliance Board has been busy with the visionary project of a more protected and additive funding concept for both Arizona State Parks and the Arizona Game and Fish Department. We have engaged a public dialogue, with the goal of a consensus among the parties.

While the public working group has recently postponed any voter initiative effort during the upcoming 2008 election cycle, we at the Arizona Heritage Alliance are committed to remain the center to conversations within the conservation, preservation and recreation communities regarding what will work for the future. It seems at present, all parties agree a number of threats exist to our quality of life, but no clear path of addressing these concerns has developed. All agree, however, that continued and frequent discourse with all parties need to happen.

This same working group has designed a simple Pledge for our Arizona lawmakers. Check and see who has signed on. Our Legislators' Pledge on behalf of the Heritage Fund is an investment in safe playground equipment for our children; new parks and trails; the reintroduction of endangered species into Arizona; the restoration of historic buildings; and the conservation of wild and open spaces and critical habitat for wildlife.

If your legislators have not signed our Pledge, please ask them to do so. If they have signed on, please thank them for helping preserve Arizona's natural, cultural and recreational resources. These are the things which make Arizona such a wonderful place to live and work.

Best Wishes to All,
Don Farmer, President of the Arizona Heritage Alliance