Why Preserving Open Space Matters More Than Ever in 2026
January 12, 2026
- (480) 983-3454
- info@azsalt.org
- Mon - Fri: 9:00AM - 5PM
Superstition Area Land Trust (SALT) is delighted to have Craig McFarland, President and CEO of Pinal Partnership, at the upcoming SALT Speakers Series on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM. Craig will discuss Pinal Partnership’s $1.3 million grant to develop ASUs AI-supported “Decision Theater” as an innovative way to support planning and decision-making in Pinal County. Decision Theater has the capacity to simultaneously utilize vast amounts of metadata, from the county’s population and economic growth history and projections, to conservation of important of wildlife habitat and endangered species areas. AI-supported analyses will help to map out the best compromises for roadways, housing developments, solar farms, and wildlife corridors to maximally benefit all. These are just a few of the many ways in which the Design Theater’s capability to analyze huge amounts of data can constructively contribute to Pinal County decision-making.
SALT is particularly excited with the possibility that this grant-funded project may help galvanize public and official support for conservation of open space, view sheds, and scenery in the Superstition Foothills and the general Superstitions area in the face of ongoing development of greater Phoenix. These are the values people have long told us are important to them, and have been confirmed in multiple surveys.
The Pinal Partnership’s mission is to improve research, planning and coordination of private and public efforts related to infrastructure, natural resources and community development in Pinal County. It includes committees dedicated to open space and trails, water and renewable energy.
The presentation will be held in Apache Junction at the citys Multigenerational Center located at 1035 N. Idaho Road, Room 117.
SALT is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to conserve the natural Sonoran Desert open space surrounding the Superstition Wilderness Area. SALT will provide the Speaker Series at 6:30 PM the second Tuesday of months in the spring of 2026 in collaboration with the City of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Department as a combined in person and virtual format.
Please join SALT and the City of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Department to hear Craig McFarland explain ASUs Decision Theater and how it will be used in planning for the future of Pinal County.
View the meeting online by visiting – https://tinyurl.com/4k5ap7cb
The Superstition Area Land Trust (SALT) works with public agencies to protect vulnerable Sonoran Desert foothills—part of Arizona’s 9 million acres of state trust land—threatened by urban sprawl and managed primarily for revenue.
Donating to the Superstition Area Land Trust (SALT) helps preserve the Sonoran Desert’s fragile foothills, wildlife, and open spaces for future generations.