Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy President Nancy Steele Stepping Down

Nancy Steele, the president of the local Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy, which is dedicated to preserving open space in the local foothill areas, has stepped down after 11 years heading up the organization.

Steele leaves the organization on a high note after the which will be preserved as open space.  Trail building efforts are about to be started up in the area, which will open up a whole new area of open space for Altadena residents.

Steele co-founded the conservancy in 2000, according to Lawren Markle, the vice president of the organization.  He lists the organization's achievements under her tenure as:

• The Rubio Canyon land purchase
• Preservation of 15 acres in the Chaney Trail area
• Creating a for a 25 mile regional trail system
• Creation of a "water-wise demonstration park"

The Pasadena Star News, in an article Wednesday, reflected on Steele's achievements and noted that the initial purchase of the Rubio Canyon land were what put the organization on the map, bringing in enough dollars to hire an executive director, John Howell.

The organziation has also become more active in the community recently with that are available to the public.

Steele will continue on the organization's board, and Tim Wendler, who is currently a board member and docent in the organization and previously has served on a Pasadena commission on the Hahamongna Watershed Park, will be the new president of the organization.