The Galisteo Basin Preserve is a 13,522-acre conservation development project located 13 miles southeast of Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the central Galisteo Basin. An area of exceptionally fragile and ecologically significant land and water resources, the Galisteo Basin is internationally celebrated for its spectacular 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 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 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 property—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 Properties, and the Conservation Ranches—support Village planning and the acquisition, protection, and stewardship of the Preserve. 

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