The Rancho Dolores Environmental and Development Group is a newly registered community based organization. It is dedicated to the social and economic development of Rancho Dolores Village and the area surrounding the community.

Planners and conservationists are exploring ideas aimed at balancing the need for economic and social development and the conservation of natural resources. This project strives to step away from the dangers associated with eco-tourism by putting community ownership and stewardship as the first priority, and tourism as the second. Community-based conservation is a broad concept that strives to incorporate local people into the development process. By retaining control of the tourism industry, local people will potentially benefit from tourism by having the means and motivation to support conservation efforts. Working toward community management of natural resources in a conservation context as a foundation for economically viable low-impact tourism will

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help accomplish two very important goals: economic development and cultural protection, and conservation of natural resources.

The objective of the project is to preserve the natural resource base and rich biodiversity of the entire section of Spanish Creek within the boundary of Rancho Dolores. A direct aim of the project is the creation of a reserve to protect fish, wildlife and plants along an eight mile section of Spanish Creek.

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