Support Our Work!

Your Gift - Your Legacy

Your support will ensure that the wildlife, recreation, scenic and cultural resources of the Galisteo Basin Preserve are restored and reclaimed. Specifically, your generous gift will allow us to:

• Maintain and expand the GBP’s 44-mile, publicly-accessible trail network

• Remove sections of nasty barbed wire fencing that kills and constrains the flow of wildlife

• Re-establish water sources and improve habitat for resident four-leggeds and winged migrants

• Fund educational programming (e.g., astronomy events, geology hikes, archaeological tours, science and fine arts programming for adults and youth)

• Capture and slow the flow of water through the preserve’s riparian corridors to support habitat and supplement the region’s shallow aquifer resources

• Establish rest spots on scenic overlooks

• Develop educational and experiential programming that deepen our communities connection and appreciation of wild lands and open spaces.

In addition to these protective initiatives and property improvements, gifts to Commonweal help bolster the capabilities and effectiveness of the organization’s operations. As a small organization managing a land protection program of significant scale and complexity, Commonweal is distinguished by its cost efficiency and effectiveness.

A Conservation Vision Imperiled

With the onset of the Great Recession, Commonweal Conservancy struggled to repay its land acquisition and infrastructure development loans.

By 2010, the nonprofit's credit obligations had lapsed into default and, in early 2017, the organization was threatened with foreclosure.

In response to the GBP's impending foreclosure, the Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw Charitable Trust purchased Commonweal's outstanding loan obligations for approximately 50% of the organization's accrued $11.2M obligation to protect the preserve's open spaces and trails.

The Thaw Charitable Trust’s conservation investment offered Commonweal an opportunity to fulfill its conservation vision for the preserve —ensuring the land’s permanent protection, enhancing its open space and trails resources, restoring its habitat values and improving its accessibility.

Beyond “Saving” the GBP

The resolution of Commonweal’s long-held debt has breathed new life and opportunity into the Galisteo Basin Preserve. This said, Commonweal’s long-held stewardship ambitions for the preserve can only be achieved with significant support from major donors, foundations, corporate gifts and community contributions.

In November 2022, Commonweal took its first steps toward launching a $1,500,000 endowment campaign — a philanthropic funding initiative that will allow Commonweal to guarantee the preserve’s perpetual stewardship and dramatically expand its community engagement programming.

DONATE BY CHECK
If you would prefer not to donate online, you can make a contribution by downloading our Contribution Sheet (PDF 590K) and mailing it with a check to:

Commonweal Conservancy
Attn: Ted Harrison
369 Montezuma Ave, #495
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

We'll send you a thank you note and, if you donate $250 or more, we’ll also send you a GBP sticker!

THANK YOU for helping ensure the permanent protection and long-term, respectful stewardship of the Galisteo Basin Preserve.

If you’d like to talk with someone about the donation process, please contact Ted Harrison at 505.690.3094, or email him at ted.harrison@commonwealconservancy.org. To learn more about Commonweal, please visit www.CommonwealConservancy.org