Save Our Desert

How to Donate- All Donations are Tax Deductible

Please consider making a tax-deductible year-end contribution to support this effort.

Donations are made to Oswit Land Trust through a Fiscal Sponsor Agreement and will go directly toward our efforts in protecting this irreplaceable land.

Credit card:

Visit Friends of the Tahquitz Wildlife Corridor - Oswit Land Trust

Credit card processing fees apply and will be deducted from the overall donation that TWC receives.

Check:

Make check Payable to: Oswit Land Trust

MEMO LINE: Friends of Tahquitz Wildlife Corridor

Mail to:

Oswit Land Trust,

PO Box 4020,

Palm Springs, CA 92263

Donor-advised fund:

Specify the following:

EIN: 83-2006672 (IRS 501c3)

Save Oswit Canyon (dba Oswit Land Trust)

PO Box 4020

Palm Springs, CA 92263

Contact: David Paisley, Community Outreach Director, Oswit Land Trust, 415-621-1819

It does not matter if your fund makes the check out to Save Oswit Canyon or Oswit Land Trust, but some funds require the EIN tax number to match the legal name of the organization.

Many funds have Oswit Land Trust registered for direct deposit. It is fine to check that option.

Email the following individuals to make us aware of your DAF donation so we can ensure the funds go toward TWC’s efforts.

DavidP@oswitlandtrust.org
TahquitzWildlifeCorridor@gmail.com

David Paisley at OLT will acknowledge your gift within two business days of the funds being received.

Every gift, no matter the size, helps us move closer to preserving a cherished part of our neighborhood's character and natural beauty.

Thank you for considering a gift to this important effort.

Warm regards,

Friends of the Tahquitz Wildlife Corridor

Palm Springs Locals Send in Public Comments to City Council

Please do not approve the potential development of 98 homes near Fern Canyon and La Mirada Rd. We live at 600 S. La Mirada Rd. and love the steady stream of wildlife that travels through our backyard.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Being a resident here for almost 20 years now, we are very vested in maintaining a vibrant community. With this as our commitment, we are asking the city to reject any application for development of the 22 acres/ parcel of natural land at the end of Fern Canyon Rd and protect it as a safe wildlife corridor.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

I sent in my written comments for today' s meeting and wanted to add the following media coverage for you that our efforts have garnered thus far.

December 3, 2025: Palm Springs Post https:// thepalmspringspost. com/ proposed- 98-home- development- in-southern- palm- springs- faces- opposition- over- wildlife- concerns/

December 8, 2025: Desert Sun https:// www. desertsun. com/ story/ news/ environment/ 2025/ 12/ 08/ palm- springs- new- homes- wildlife- tahquitz- creek/87611968007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z11xx34p119850c119850d00---- v11xx34d--41-- b--41--&gca-ft=140&gca-ds=sophi& tbref=hp

December 9, 2025 (last night) NBC top of the hour prime time news: https://www.saveourdesert.com/2025/12/nbc-palm-springs-coverage-december-9.html

December 10,2025 (Today): Front page of Desert Sun.

This story resonates with many locals, who live here to be among nature.

I want to personally invite every single official who has any say in the future of APN#513250029 to walk the parcel with me.

Thank you

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Desert Sun- Palm Springs residents fight new homes they say would harm wildlife

Read the Desert Sun article HERE

Thank you Sam Morgen!

NBC Palm Springs Coverage- December 9, 2025

NBC Palm Springs at 5 p.m. https://t.co/cbp64MeHD2
— NBC Palm Springs (@NBCPalmSprings) December 10, 2025

The Palm Springs Post- Proposed 98-home development in southern Palm Springs faces opposition over wildlife concerns

Read The Palm Springs Post article HERE.

Thank you Mark Talkington!

PRESERVE APN 513250029- This Is WILDLIFE Habitat & Should NOT Be Developed

Proposed Site Plan for 98 Houses

Sierra Club Goes on Record with the City

🚨UPDATE! Out-of-Town Developer Proposes 98 HOMES on a 22 Acre Wildlife Refuge🚨

Map of Proposed Site Plan- This is not an exaggeration it's the literal site plan submitted🤯

I got my public records request back- let's get started.

Meet the out-of-town developer, Steve Sheldon, who is riding into OUR TOWN and proposing a 98-home subdivision that would fundamentally alter our neighborhood and devastate the wildlife population that has relied on this land as a refuge for over half a century.

Developer STEVE SHELDON, CEO of SHELDON DEVELOPMENT

This is their calculation to overcome the current zoning with high density zoning

Oh how cute, they want concessions and incentive waivers.
Here is an incentive for them- get out of our town and I will stop exposing you.

If you're not on the email list make sure to sign up, I have sent these records to everyone on our list.

Be sure to speak up to local elected officials and city leaders which can be found here.

As of now, the only LOGICAL solution is to REZONE the 18 acre parcel with PRESERVATION status.

Madelyn & Kenneth Hinsvark curated their 18 acre parcel as a wildlife refuge for half a century. Generations of wildlife have adapted to this safe haven that extends from the mountain down the wash.
We have co-existed with wildlife peacefully, but now a DEVELOPER plans to destroy this.

Steve Sheldon Proposal for Landlocked Wildlife Habitat Parcel of Land🤦🏼‍♀️

Main Access Road would be a literal FIRE ZONE? 😂

Has he read the updated CEQA 2025 Statute and Guidelines?

Given the overlapping regional connections between the developer and some local officials, we believe transparency and full disclosure are essential to ensure that our city’s decision-making is impartial and accountable.

This is all allegedly and in my opinion.

Who is Developer STEVE SHELDON & Why is He in OUR TOWN? 🤔

Question:

Why is Steve Sheldon, an out-of-town developer, pursuing a large-scale project targeting our neighborhood, rather than in areas where he has an established track record?

Source: https://sheldongrp.com/

👀

Source: https://www.facebook.com/stoptherezoning/

"Orange County Water District director Steve Sheldon mocks transparency at a committee meeting several years ago."

Source: https://socalwaterwars.substack.com/p/ever-been-to-your-local-water-board

"Steve Sheldon's Unethical Culture Challenged by Legal Complaint"

Source: https://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2014/12/steve-sheldons-unethical-culture-challenged-by-legal-complaint/

"He also, perhaps inadvertently, included an email from one of his sister’s lawyers that called him “unscrupulous” and “a schmuck,” according to court records."

Source: https://www.ocweekly.com/lou-sheldon-traditional-values/

"...allegedly discovered Sheldon's reputation with the City was less than stellar."

Source: https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/632d36c144e14c0a066101b4

"Developer Accused of Bullying as his Plans to Reimagine Westminster's Civic Center Drag On"

"Instead, an internal memo labelling Sheldon's behavior as "hostile" and "aggressive" toward those tasked with holding him to his project commitments is causing distress among the public over what kind of deal, exactly, the city has gotten itself into."

Source: https://voiceofoc.org/2020/12/developer-accused-of-bullying-as-his-plans-to-reimagine-westminsters-civic-center-drag-on/

"...expressed concern regarding Steve Sheldon's character, behavior, and actions..."

Source: https://westminsterca.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=westminsterca_9d3eb0503505559d94efe0214825bf4e.pdf&view=1

Steve Sheldon was spokesperson for Traditional Values Coalition — which was designated an “anti-gay hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center — one might ask why he is choosing to pursue a development in a community like Palm Springs, known for its inclusivity and diversity? 🤦🏼‍♀️🌈

Source: https://x.com/LarryTenney/status/1915791901745103137?s=20

"They (homosexuals) are using the power of the state to garner legitimacy for their lifestyle,"

-Steve Sheldon, spokesman for Traditional Values Coalition

Source: https://www.chicagotribune.com/1991/04/30/gays-lesbians-shift-focus-to-civil-rights-and-win/