TUCSON, ARIZONA – (April 30, 2025) – In a significant milestone victory for Southern Arizona land conservation, Pima County has finalized the $6 million acquisition of Kelly Ranch, a 109.7-acre property bordering Catalina State Park at Oro Valley’s eastern edge. The deal marks the culmination of more than twenty years of community advocacy and negotiation.
Approved by a 4-1 vote of the Pima County Board of Supervisors on April 1, and completed April 28, 2025, the acquisition preserves a critical wildlife corridor and archaeological site within the Sonoran Desert. Kelly Ranch is surrounded on three sides by the 5,525-acre Catalina State Park and is recognized for its ecological importance, supporting species such as deer, javelina, coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions.
“This is a defining moment for conservation in Pima County,” said Rex Scott, Chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors and representative for District 1. “The Kelly Ranch purchase honors our community’s vision and ensures this unique desert landscape will be protected for generations.”
Pima County plans to conserve the property and transfer it to Catalina State Park. In the meantime, existing structures will remain intact, including a historic home and guesthouse designed by renowned Southwest architect Josiah Joesler. The county is also considering a preservation-focused resale of these improvements at 12100 N. Oracle Road near Catalina, Arizona.
The project's funding combines $2.1 million from the county’s general fund, $600,000 from the Regional Flood Control District, and anticipated grants and private donations. Pima County has applied for a $1.5 million Land and Water Conservation Fund grant and seeks further support through the Pima County Parklands Foundation.
“This acquisition is the result of steadfast advocacy by conservation groups, residents, and public officials,” said Nicole Fyffe, Senior Advisor in the Pima County Administrator’s Office. “It demonstrates the power of collaboration and the essential role of professional brokers in bringing complex deals like this to the finish line.”
The Conservation Lands and Resources Department will work with Arizona State Parks and Trails on a cooperative management plan that could expand public recreation opportunities such as camping, birding, equestrian activities, and wildlife viewing.
John Carroll and Will White of Land Advisors Organization in Tucson negotiated on behalf of the seller, Sunchase Holdings of Scottsdale.
For more information or to support ongoing conservation efforts, visit pimaparklands.org, call (520) 317-2260, or email [email protected].