The Desert Conservation Commission:

• assists the Community Services Department staff liaison in the development of a continuing plan for the education, outreach, and recreation in preserves;

• assists the Community Services Department and other City departments in establishing priorities at budget time for those items other than administrative functions relating to preserve policy, and forwards recommendations to the City Council;

• identifies potential partnerships with public, private, and nonprofit entities to support and encouraging diverse participation of stakeholders in order to assist with the conservation of the preserve; and,

• receives, accepts, and acquires subject to final action by the City Council by gift, bequest, or devise real and personal property of every kind, nature, and description in the name of the City for preserve purposes subject to the terms of the gift.  

The Desert Conservation Commission also serves as a forum for public involvement to assure community input for planning, projects, and issues, and to meet all guidelines for public involvement where applicable. 

The Desert Conservation Commission is composed of nine members who shall serve three-year terms for no more than two complete consecutive terms.  For Commission member positions where residency is not required, preference will be given to applicants who are Tempe residents or those working in Tempe.  Two members shall serve as officers in the capacity of Chair and Vice-Chair.  The initial officers of the Commission shall be selected by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council to serve a term commencing at the initiation of the first Commission meeting.  Members are from each of the following parts of the community, with no more than two members filling the same category:

• representative from a tribal nation;

• expert in Sonoran Desert flora and fauna;

• representative from a group made up of outdoor recreation enthusiasts;

• expert in issues of water or riparian environments;

• expert in issues of historic or archeological preservation;

• representative from an organization that represents Tempe businesses;

• representative from an academic institution;

• Tempe resident serving on the Parks, Recreation, Golf, and Double Butte Cemetery Advisory Board; and

• Tempe resident, at-large.

The Desert Conservation Commission typically meets in February, April, June, August, October, and December, usually on the first Tuesday of the month at 3:30 p.m., at the Tempe Public Library, Second Floor Conference Room, 3500 S. Rural Rd., Tempe, AZ 85282 or virtually on Microsoft Teams.