Arizona State Parks Board

2026 New Year Update from the AZ Heritage Alliance

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Dear Arizona Heritage Alliance Members, Partners, and Friends, 
 
Because of the sustained efforts of thousands of community allies and bipartisan legislative champions, the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund was restored to statute in 2019. Since that time, $25.7 million has been allocated – including $1 million approved by the Legislature and Governor for FY 2026–2027 – to support projects that benefit communities across Arizona: 
  • 50% – Local, regional, and state parks
  • 30% – Historic preservation
  • 10% – Non-motorized trails
  • 10% – Outdoor and environmental education 
These investments – together with the original projects funded between 1992 and 2008 – have left an enduring legacy, strengthening Arizona’s outdoor spaces, historic places, and cultural resources. Detailed project descriptions, photographs, and an interactive map are available on our website at https://azheritage.org
 
Planning Ahead: Advocacy and Legislative Strategy 
As we look toward the next budget cycle and beyond, the Arizona Heritage Alliance remains fully committed to protecting and strengthening the Heritage Fund. Our Legislative Task Force, chaired by Board Vice President Russ Jones, is actively developing a comprehensive legislative game plan to benefit both the State Parks Heritage Fund and the Game and Fish Heritage Fund. 
 
This work is especially urgent. A significant backlog of deferred maintenance and repair still exists across Arizona’s parks, historic sites, and cultural resources – much of it stemming from the Great Recession, when the State Parks Heritage Fund was removed from statute and its revenues swept into the General Fund. At the same time, the need for housing that can be created through the adaptive reuse of historic buildings and districts – across communities large and small – has never been greater. Thoughtful rehabilitation can help meet housing needs while preserving community character. 
 
Recent flooding in historic downtowns such as Globe and Miami further underscores the vulnerability of these places and the importance of reinvestment. Strategic use of Heritage Fund resources can not only stabilize and restore historic and cultural assets, but also serve as a catalyst for economic development, downtown revitalization, and heritage tourism – outcomes that benefit entire regions. 
 
Looking Toward 2026: A Once-in-a-Generation Moment 
Our advocacy takes on added significance as we approach several major milestones in 2026, including the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Arizona will play a prominent role in commemorating these events through statewide observances that highlight our unique history, landscapes, and communities. Ensuring that our parks, historic sites, and cultural institutions are ready to meet this moment is both a responsibility and an opportunity. Details here: https://www.america250az.org
 
Grant Opportunities: Now Open 
Applications are now being accepted for the FY 2026 State Parks Heritage Fund. We encourage eligible organizations and communities to apply and to share this opportunity broadly. Comprehensive information about all available Arizona State Parks grant programs can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_AfkJTyV22zRPGLdtOuGv7ecKwGsYtp_/view 
 
Program Spotlight: Arizona Game and Fish Heritage Fund 
The Game and Fish Heritage Fund continues to deliver remarkable conservation outcomes, supporting more than 800 wildlife species statewide. One standout initiative is Focus Wild Arizona, an award-winning wildlife education program offering: 
  • Free lesson plans, books, posters, and online resources
  • Professional development workshops for educators
  • Standards-based curriculum aligned with science, social studies, math, and language arts
  • Grants of up to $3,000 for wildlife education projects and student field trips 
These resources are available at little or no cost, helping educators bring Arizona’s natural heritage directly into the classroom. Details here: https://www.azgfd.com/education/focus-wild-2/
 
Gratitude for Our Board and Partners 
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Arizona Heritage Alliance Board of Directors for their leadership, dedication, and continued support of the many organizations and initiatives that strengthen communities throughout Arizona. Their commitment makes our collective work possible. 
 
A Critical Moment: How You Can Help 
Our progress has always been driven by strong partnerships – with elected officials of both Support the Arizona State parks Heritage Fund banner parties, community organizations, and engaged citizens across the state. Yet ongoing state budget pressures make the coming year particularly challenging. 
 
We must continue working together to secure funding for FY 2026 and to advance the long-term goal of restoring the original Arizona Lottery funding formula for the State Parks Heritage Fund. Your involvement – through membership, contributions, and advocacy – remains essential. 
 
Contribute Today 
Online: azheritage.org 
By mail: Arizona Heritage Alliance, P.O. Box 16282, Phoenix, AZ 85011 
 
Start the New Year in Arizona’s State Parks 
As a special way to kick off 2026, we invite you to take part in a Free First Day Hike at Arizona’s State Parks. Arizona State Parks and Trails is offering all First Day Hikes with no entry fee in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. It’s a great way to begin the year outdoors and reconnect with the landscapes and places that make Arizona unique. Details here: https://azstateparks.com/first-day-hikes
 
Together, we can ensure that Arizona’s natural, cultural, and historic resources are protected, celebrated, and preserved for generations to come. 
 
With gratitude, 
 
Jim McPherson, Board President 
Russ Jones, Board Vice President & Chair, Legislative Task Force 
Arizona Heritage Alliance

Future of AZ trail projects unknown as Congress claws back funding

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KAWC/by Arizona News Connection – September 10, 2025 – by Kathryn Clarley

Community advocates in Arizona say the loss of federal funding for alternative transportation projects is a major setback for revitalizing and connecting neighborhoods throughout the state.

Congressional lawmakers have repealed roughly $750 million in previously allocated funds for trails and pedestrian pathways nationwide, leaving many projects in limbo.

R.J. Cardin is executive director of the Maricopa County Trail and Park Foundation. He said federal dollars often spur state and local investments to further improve residents’ quality of life.

“It’s very critical that communities look at the federal government as a partner in this,” said Cardin, “and have some stability to continue to plan and to continue to move forward with projects.”

He said connected trail networks help drive tourism, reduce road congestion and ensure kids can safely walk or bike to school. Lawmakers say the cuts were needed to trim federal spending and extend the 2017 tax cuts.

Arizona is one of the country’s fastest growing states. It also has a higher-than-average share of older adults.

Studies show reliably maintained and connected trails help ensure residents’ stay active and engaged in their communities. Cardin said they also provide the recreation and transportation options young people are looking for when deciding where to live.

“Having quality-of-life amenities will help attract young workers to communities,” said Cardin. “So, I think it’s vital that we have not only good trail networks but good parks and open space opportunities as well.”

He noted that 1-in-3 people in Arizona typically don’t drive every day and are looking for safe alternatives, while some people rely on well-maintained walking and biking trails to get around.

He said it’s important that people who value trails let lawmakers know why they’re important and how federal dollars can help improve their community’s future growth.

A 2020 University of Arizona study found the economic value of state trails was more than $8 billion, highlighting the important role they play in Arizona’s overall economy.

Exciting News: State Parks Heritage Fund Allocated $1 Million in FY25/26 Budget

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Dear Arizona Heritage Alliance Members, Partners, and Friends,Jim McPherson, Vice President, Phoenix

On behalf of the Arizona Heritage Alliance Board of Directors, I’m proud to share three important victories in Arizona’s newly approved Fiscal Year 2026 budget – successes that underscore the real impact we’re making together to protect and promote our state’s historic, cultural, and natural treasures.

These achievements are more than policy wins – they are the result of powerful partnerships, strong public advocacy, and a shared commitment to making Arizona a better place for current and future generations.

  1. $1 Million Secured for the State Parks Heritage Fund

Thanks to our advocacy and your support, the State Parks Heritage Fund will receive $1 million in General Fund support for FY26. This investment reflects both Governor Katie Hobbs’ focus on environmental stewardship, the Legislature’s vote of approval, and the resounding bipartisan public support for conservation across Arizona.

The numbers speak for themselves. According to Noble Predictive Insights (Oct. 2024):

  • 84% of Arizona voters worry that young people aren’t spending enough time outdoors
  • 80% support increased funding for state parks
  • 76% favor restoring the State Parks Heritage Fund

This funding will expand outdoor recreation opportunities, support local economies, and safeguard our shared heritage. It’s a major step forward – but also a reminder of the work ahead to secure lasting, sustainable funding.

  1. State Historic Preservation Office Kept Open and Funded

With the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) facing a potential shutdown by August, our collective advocacy – led by the Arizona Preservation Foundation and Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, with the Alliance as a committed partner – helped prevent a devastating loss.

Thanks to emergency gap funding supported by Governor Hobbs and advocated for by Representatives Chris Mathis and Betty Villegas, the Arizona State Parks Board can now use up to $865,000 from the State Parks Revenue Fund to cover SHPO operations should federal Historic Preservation Fund dollars lapse in FY 2025–26. This critical funding would help to preserve SHPO’s 12 full-time staff positions and ensures that Arizona’s preservation infrastructure remains intact.

  1. $8.5 Million for Local Preservation and Park Projects

The FY26 budget also includes approximately $8.5 million in direct support for local preservation and parks initiatives statewide. This includes:

  • $4.5 million for historic projects in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Prescott, and Snowflake
  • $4 million for parks and open space projects in Peoria, Scottsdale, and the Verde Valley

These targeted investments illustrate the real, on-the-ground impact of our collective advocacy – benefiting communities, honoring heritage, and enhancing quality of life.

Moving Forward

These wins are significant, but they are not the end of the road. They are proof that coordinated advocacy works – and that the Arizona Heritage Alliance and its allies are driving real change. But we cannot stop here. We must keep building coalitions, engaging the public, and pressing for the long-term restoration of the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund’s original Arizona Lottery funding. In a time of budget uncertainty, your voice, your outreach, and your support are more important than ever.

A Call to Action

The Arizona Heritage Alliance exists because people like you believe that Arizona’s historic places, cultural traditions, and natural landscapes are worth protecting. We are making a difference – but only if we keep going. Please continue to stand with us. Share our work, speak up, become a member, donate, and stay engaged. Every action you take strengthens our mission.

Contributions can be made online at AZHeritage.org or mailed to: Arizona Heritage Alliance, P.O. Box 16282, Phoenix, AZ 85011. Together, we can ensure that Arizona’s natural, cultural, and historic legacy endures – for our communities today, and for generations yet to come.

With gratitude,

Jim McPherson, President, Board of Directors and Russ Jones, Vice President & Legislative Task Force Chair

Urgent: AZ SHPO Funding Crisis Threatens Protection of Cultural Resources on Public Lands

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Jim McPherson, Vice President, Phoenix

On behalf of the Alliance Board of Directors, I am reaching out to the Alliance’s partners, members and
friends regarding an urgent situation that directly threatens the mission that the Alliance has championed since 1992 – protecting, preserving, and enhancing Arizona’s historic, cultural, and natural heritage. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), which manages significant portions of the State Parks Heritage Fund and numerous other heritage-related programs, is facing imminent closure by August 2025 due to a severe funding crisis.

Crisis Directly Impacts Alliance Mission

This situation strikes at the core of the Alliance’s founding purpose and goals:

  • Protecting the Integrity of the Heritage Fund: Without SHPO to administer the preservation components of the State Parks Heritage Fund, these resources would effectively be frozen or redirected, undermining the voter intent that the Alliance has worked to protect for over 30 years.
  • Sustainable Funding for Heritage Programs: SHPO’s crisis exemplifies exactly what the Alliance has fought against – the vulnerability of heritage programs without dedicated, sustainable funding sources. SHPO operates with 87% federal funding and only minimal state support, creating the precarious situation we now face.
  • Public Education About Heritage Benefits: The potential loss of SHPO would severely impact public awareness and appreciation of Arizona’s historic resources, directly countering the Alliance’s goal of educating Arizonans about the benefits of our cultural heritage.

The Funding Crisis

SHPO operates with just 12 full-time employees, supported primarily by federal Historic Preservation Fund grants (approximately $1.1 million annually). The situation has become critical due to:

  • No dedicated line item in the State FY2026 Budget for SHPO operations
  • Delays in the disbursement of 2025 federal grant reimbursements
  • Proposed federal budget cuts that threaten future funding

Since 2009, SHPO has met its required 40% state match through in-kind volunteer hours from the Site Steward Program rather than direct state funding. This arrangement, while cost-effective, has left SHPO exceptionally vulnerable to federal funding disruptions.

Heritage Programs at Risk

If SHPO ceases operations, numerous programs that align with the Alliance’s mission would be severely impacted:

  • Historic preservation grants to communities across Arizona
  • Technical assistance for heritage tourism initiatives
  • Support for the adaptive reuse of historic buildings
  • Documentation and protection of archaeological resources
  • The Site Steward Program’s 500+ volunteers who monitor archaeological sites

Additionally, SHPO’s role in reviewing development projects would be eliminated, forcing Arizona projects to consult directly with federal authorities in Washington, D.C. – adding months of delays to critical infrastructure projects while potentially reducing protection for heritage resources.

The Alliance’s Unique Position to Help

As the organization specifically dedicated to protecting the integrity and voter intent of the Heritage Fund, the Alliance is uniquely positioned to lead on this issue. Our bipartisan composition and focused mission make your advocacy particularly powerful.

Your support is urgently needed to:

  • Advocate for emergency gap funding to sustain SHPO through the remainder of FY2025
  • Support the establishment of a dedicated SHPO line item in the FY2026 state budget
  • Mobilize your network to highlight the importance of SHPO’s functions to legislators
  • Frame this crisis as a direct threat to the Heritage Fund’s voter intent and effectiveness

While this challenge originates at the federal level and affects SHPOs nationwide, Arizona is particularly vulnerable due to minimal direct state financial support. The Alliance’s 30-year commitment to sustainable heritage funding makes you the ideal voice to address this structural vulnerability.

Your leadership on this issue would be invaluable in preserving the heritage protection infrastructure that Arizonans have consistently supported. Thank you for your consideration and your continued dedication to Arizona’s historic, cultural, and natural heritage.

Jim McPherson, President
Arizona Heritage Alliance
azheritage.org
mail@azheritage.org