QPI Awards Desert Mountain ‘Quiet Conservation Area Award’ in January 2023

The Desert Mountain Quiet Conservation Area is dedicated to the memory of Craig Mitchell. It is the first Quiet Conservation Area to be awarded by Quiet Parks International. Within this private preserve of more than 3,000 wilderness acres, 12 stacked loop trails totaling approximately 25 miles wind through canyons, ascend mountain peaks and traverse lofty ridges. It lays at the interface between the nearly 5 million residents who call Phoenix and the greater Salt River Valley their home and more than 3,000,000 acres of Tonto National Forest containing seven additional wildernesses.

The Desert Mountain Quiet Conservation Area is home to diverse wildlife and plants including Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea gigantea), Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), Creosote (Larrea tridentata), Palo Verde (Cercidium microphyllum), Javelina (Tayassu tajacu), Mountain Lion (Felis concolor), Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum), Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox), to name but a few.

Desert animal species depend upon a clean acoustic environment in order to communicate, attract a mate, establish a food territory, and escape predation. Many plant species depend on animals for pollination and seed dissemination. Natural quiet is an essential natural resource. Because of the aural beauty of Desert Mountain and its pristine landscape, Quiet Parks International has awarded Quiet Conservation Area status.

This effort made possible by the Desert Mountain Desperados, spearheaded by the late Craig Mitchell, to whom this first Quiet Conservation Area is dedicated.