National Resources Conservation Service Helps Cahava Springs Conservancy Protect and Improve Apache Springs

CAVE CREEK, Ariz., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- National Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has awarded Cahava Springs Conservancy technical and financial assistance to help protect and improve the Apache Springs riparian habitat. The habitat development planning assistance and $16,209 award is part of NRCS' Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) that helps conservation-minded land owners, on a cost-share basis, develop habitat on their land for fish and wildlife. "I'm delighted that a federal agency recognized Apache Springs' habitat values and was willing to jump start our protection and conservation plan," said Conservancy Executive Director Beth Vershure. "I'm also grateful to our local partners at Desert Foothills Land Trust, the Town of Cave Creek and Maricopa County whose expertise made this possible."

    The multi-year NCRS award will assist local efforts to:

    -- Protect the spring and stream channel from livestock and motorized
       vehicles
    -- Clean up, stabilize and improve the spring and stream channel
    -- Enhance the riparian habitat for native wildlife, birds and aquatic
       species
    -- Develop additional aquatic habitat for the lowland leopard frog
    -- Provide water for wildlife and horses from a source other than the
       spring

Cahava Springs Conservancy was created by Pyramid Developers, an Arizona-based LLC, as part of Cahava Springs, a 230 custom home "conservation development" in Cave Creek, Arizona. The Conservancy is a sustainable organization committed to preserving in perpetuity the natural beauty and historical significance of the 942-acre Cahava Springs property, 80% of which is open space. The Conservancy also owns and seeks to enhance the property's 130-acre Apache Springs Nature Preserve that is home to a rare and sensitive riparian habitat and the front door to the Cahava Springs residential community. For more information regarding Cahava Springs Conservancy please visit http://www.cahavaspringsconservancy.org or contact Beth Vershure directly at: 480.209.4373 and for more information about Cahava Springs Community please visit http://www.cahavasprings.com or Erin Ludwig at 1.800.893.2738 X-17.

SOURCE Cahava Springs Conservancy