Oswit Land Trust (OLT), together with the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy (CVMC) and Coachella Valley Conservation Commission (CVCC) is thrilled to announce the conservation of over 3,000 acres of land above the Rimrock Vons shopping center known as “Palm Hills” and the “goat trails”.
Since the early 2000s, local conservation organizations and residents have been trying to preserve the land situated in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains above highway 111 in Palm Springs. In 2004, conservation organizations and residents opposed a massive development of houses, hotels and a golf course. Since that time, this property has been the biggest prize of conservation organizations in the Coachella Valley. The property contains critical habitat not just for the bighorn sheep, but also for the desert tortoise and other protected species. Furthermore, because of its scenic character, the property is a local favorite for hikers.
Oswit Land Trust is grateful to the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy and the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission for providing the funding for this purchase.