Rob Marshall (left) and Diana Freshwater (right). Photo by Tucson photographer Martha Lochert.
March 18, 2026 – Cameron Becker, Executive Director, is pleased to announce important changes in the Arizona Land & Water Trust’s Board of Directors.
Rob Marshall has been selected as the new Arizona Land and Water Trust (Trust) Board President. Marshall’s long and distinguished career in conservation includes a 23-year stint as Director of Science for the Nature Conservancy in Arizona. Marshall was a key contributor to development of conservation priorities for Pima County’s Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, and has helped the Board of Supervisors to achieve the County’s conservation goals.
Marshall states, “I take on this role knowing that the Trust has been very well managed and is in good shape both financially and administratively. I look forward to continuing our capital campaign, Enduring Landscapes, to support the Trust’s important work.”
The previous Board President, Diana Freshwater, is a Founding Director of the Trust and served as its Executive Director from 1999-2011. Freshwater has been the Trust’s Board President for the previous 14 years and will remain active on the Board as the Immediate Past President. Freshwater is an integral part of the Trust and her vision was instrumental in creating the organization. She says, “I have worked with Rob for many years and I have every confidence in his ability to lead the Board. He is a passionate conservationist and is well-suited to guide the Trust.”
Other changes on the Board include the appointments of George Ruyle to Vice President (serving as co-VP with Ben Brophy) and Nicole Fyffe to Secretary.
Included among the Trust’s recent success stories is the closing of the final phased conservation easement on the Rain Valley Ranch, preserving a total of over 5,510 acres of the ranch located near Sonoita, Arizona. More information about this project is available at: alwt.org/protection-of-historic-rain-valley-ranch-in-arizona/.
The Arizona Land and Water Trust protects Southern Arizona’s vanishing western landscapes, its farms and ranches, wildlife habitat, and the waters that sustain them. In addition to its role as land steward, it also supports programs that further the Trust’s mission including public education and outreach. The Trust has protected more than 73,250 acres through conservation easements, donations, and acquisition. In 1985 the Trust was instrumental in establishing legislation in Arizona enabling conservation easements. The organization was established in 1978 and is headquartered in Tucson, AZ.
# # #
Arizona Land and Water Trust is a 501c(3) that works closely with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as private landowners and land trusts, to protect Arizona’s vanishing landscapes and wildlife habitat.