What We Do

Commonweal Conservancy has protected and restored thousands of acres of open spaces and trails and developed environmentally responsible neighborhoods within the Galisteo Basin Preserve in Northern New Mexico.

Over the past two decades, Commonweal has demonstrated visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to the preserve’s protection. Community members, volunteers, property owners, and donors point to the organization's persistence and resiliency as among its core capabilities.


While facilitating the permanent protection of more than 12,000 acres of open space and developing two environmentally responsible neighborhoods within the preserve, the organization attracted more than $37 million in program support during its 21-year history. Funding sources have included local philanthropic institutions, individual donors, corporate grants, sales of conservation easement tax credits, and conservation-restricted property sales that advanced Commonweal’s resource protection and community development goals.

What We’ve Achieved

The vision and ambitions of the Galisteo Basin Preserve were boldly conceived and have been painstakingly achieved thanks to the passionate commitment of Commonweal Conservancy’s staff, the skills of its partners, the intervention of countless angels, along with an abundance of good luck!

  • Conceiving and leading this nationally acclaimed conservation development initiative

  • Acquiring and conserving more than 12,000 acres

  • Facilitating more than $30M in conservation real estate transactions

  • Securing more than $7.0M in philanthropic gifts

  • Engaging hundreds of volunteers in a wide range of stewardship initiatives

  • Designing and constructing the largest nonprofit privately-owned and managed open space and trails network in the American West.