And that was just the beginning. Now there is a comprehensive county open space plan with trail corridors and buffer areas to protect the most critical lands and connections. And there have been other partnerships protecting the truly threatened landscapes. TPL has been working with the county on some of these landscapes at Agua Caliente Canyon, Tortilita Park expansion and at the scenic gateway to Tucson Mountain Park along Gates Pass Road. We are also working together on Feliz Paseos, a fully accessible park just outside Tucson.
Partnerships are essential.
We need to celebrate individual and organizational excellence in conservation work. Given the challenges out there and given the urgency of the land use issues, we can draw inspiration from the leadership, vision, commitment, persistence and dogged determination exemplified in our best people and our best work. It is amazing how time and time again we can make a difference. We need to honor that fact and honor the ones who are doing it. From that recognition and celebration comes the hope and the inspiration at seeing what is possible when we turn excellence loose on our shared mission.