Our Organization

Our History and Goals

San Rafael Valley - A Land in Balance, is a not-for-profit charitable organization, created to protect and defend the diverse community culture, the long-term economic viability, and the healthy ecosystem of the San Rafael Valley watershed located in southern Arizona.

This watershed is a beautiful, un-fragmented and undisturbed area flowing from the peaks of the Patagonia Mountains, the Canelo Hills, and the Huachuca Mountains into the Valley. This pristine valley is an incredibly rare and unique ecosystem that deserves preservation and care, not only for the sake of the land itself but for the sake of future generations

Board of Directors

Maureen De La Ossa, President

Mark Butler, Vice President

Carol Bonchalk-Hilton, Secretary/Treasurer

Alessandra Howard

Mike Mooney

Bob Sharp

Dan Sharp

Lloyd Sharp

Sidney Spencer

Our History and Goals

A Land in Balance was founded in 2008 to defend against the threat of ore exploration and extraction mining in the San Rafael Valley. The organization is currently growing and revitalizing in order to challenge unprecedented, destructive mining processes currently underway in the San Rafael Watershed.

The organization is comprised of citizens from all walks of life who are committed to maintaining a well balanced, multiple use system in this unique Sky Island mountain and grassland environment.

The intention of the organization is to ensure that all economic, ecological and community uses of the land are in balance. The Barksdale San Antonio mining interests seriously threaten this balance.