The Galisteo Basin Preserve is a 13,522-acre, stewardship-oriented, conservation-development initiative located 13 miles south of Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the central Galisteo Basin. An area of fragile and ecologically significant land and water resources, the Galisteo Basin is internationally celebrated for its scenic, cultural, and wildlife habitat values. Commonweal Conservancy, a nonprofit conservation-based community development organization, is leading the initiative.

In collaboration with representatives of Santa Fe County, conservationists, archaeologists, professional planners, and neighborhood groups, Commonweal Conservancy is working to purchase, plan, and protect the Preserve, previously known as Thornton Ranch. The approximately 20-square-mile property is considered a "high-risk development area"—one whose subdivision into widely dispersed "ranchettes" would threaten the scenic, wildlife habitat, water, public service (e.g., schools, fire fighting, police), historic, cultural, and traditional economic resources of the central Galisteo Basin.

To protect the property's most significant environmental and cultural resources, Commonweal Conservancy negotiated an agreement to purchase the Preserve in five phases. Rather than allowing the property to be subdivided into 12.5-acre and 40-acre home sites, Commonweal has proposed a carefully sited, environmentally sensitive village development known as Trenza that will accommodate a rich variety of mixed-income residential and community-serving land uses within a 300-acre development area. Village design and construction standards will exemplify the values and principles of low-impact, resource-efficient, sustainable development.

The vast majority of the Preserve—more than 13,000 acres—will be permanently protected as open space. Much of this will be publicly accessible via an extensive trail network.

Sales of the Galisteo Basin Preserve’s conservation properties and neighborhoods—Southern Crescent, West Basin, New Moon Overlook, East Preserve, and the Conservation Ranches—support Trenza village planning and the acquisition, protection, and stewardship of the Preserve. 

What is a stewardship community?»
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