Superstition Summit: Arizona Outdoors in Action

By Kate Mayeski

Transparency Note: This article is not sponsored or supported by any organizations, companies, or public agencies mentioned. Everything shared here is based on my research and experiences.

Arizona’s Outdoor Economic Engine

Special shout out to my colleague Michelle Ramos, Arizona Program Manager at Tread Lightly!. Michelle is a powerhouse connector and advocate for responsible recreation across Arizona.

Tread Lightly! works nationwide to promote outdoor ethics and stewardship, especially on motorized trails—and Michelle is doing that work on the ground right here in our state.

Why Summer Safety Still Matters

Michelle invited me to the Superstition Region Public Land Managers meeting at Central Arizona College in Apache Junction this morning. As always, it was energizing to be in a room filled with land managers, fire and law enforcement teams, tourism officials, and community advocates all working together to protect, steward, and celebrate the iconic Superstition Wilderness and its surrounding public lands.

Jeff Serdy, District 5 Supervisor for Pinal County, opened the meeting by grounding us in purpose: we’re here to collaborate, not compete—to plan proactively for the pressures our region faces as growth and recreation use accelerate in the urban-wilderness interface. He also underscored two urgent concerns: summer heat and looming land use conflicts.

On the former, he warned, “It may look like you're right outside of town, but if the rise of heat-related deaths is any indication, the mountains and trails are more dangerous than you think.” And on proposed BLM land sales and solar projects, Serdy was crystal clear: “This land that looks like it’s not being used… it’s being used!” On a proposal from a California company to bring solar to the East Valley, he added pointedly, “We’re just as much of a destination. We’re not as remote as they think." If you want to bring solar to Arizona, put it in a part of Arizona where people don't drive past daily.

Trails to Tourism: Land Use & Economy

One of the most exciting updates came from Scott Hamilton, Pinal County’s Director of Open Space, Trails, and Regional Parks. Having started his career as an intern with Arizona State Parks, Scott’s journey now brings him full-circle to lead some of the region’s most critical land-use initiatives. His team is pushing forward a whole suite of projects—from trail connectivity and signage enhancements to regional park planning and heat-safety education.

With summer conditions intensifying, he emphasized their seasonal pivot: “We’re focused on bringing the outdoors in.” Scott and Jeff also co-star in a new heat safety PSA that delivers life-saving tips like hydrating the night before your hike, planning turnaround points based on water supply, and avoiding the mountains in months without an "R." Watch the video here.

Storytelling, Collaboration & Tourism Data

Speaking of partnerships, Neil Large from the Arizona Office of Outdoor Recreation delivered a standout presentation on the emotional power of storytelling in driving sustainable tourism. He reminded us that when people connect emotionally to outdoor spaces, they return with reverence, not just recreation.

Neil Large, Program Administrator, Arizona Office of Outdoor Recreation

“People who feel connected to a place are more likely to return,” he said, urging us to shift our marketing from promoting activities to promoting emotions. He also commended the regional collaboration underway while challenging agencies to better capture data and leverage social media—still massively underutilized by many government and nonprofit stakeholders.

Heat, OHVs & Public-Private Efforts

Gina Salinas of Pinal County Communications & Marketing gave a behind-the-scenes look at the Superstition Region web portal—a year into its launch. It’s packed with resources but needs more visibility. As she pointed out, there’s still a noticeable gap between the website and active social promotion. Increasing content collaboration between cities, counties, and tourism offices could unlock significant traffic and engagement. If you haven’t yet bookmarked it, do it now. The digital front door to this landscape should be as dynamic and helpful as the region it represents.

Michelle Carpenter, Economic Development Coordinator for Pinal County, followed with an insightful look at the region's tourism trajectory. Her data made one thing clear: outdoor recreation isn’t just about fresh air—it’s a driver of jobs, local revenue, and long-term resilience.

She introduced the Explore Pinal County initiative and the Tourism Advisory Group (TAG), which is weaving together towns, chambers, and trail systems into a single narrative. Her ask was simple: tell us your stories, share your events, and help us shape the future of destination development with authenticity and heart.

Jason Scow, Recreation Program Manager with the Mesa Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest, closed the presentations with updates on the OHV permit program. His team’s data and candid reflections made one thing obvious—resourcing is tight, but innovation and interagency coordination are moving forward.

New staging areas, increased patrols, and permit zone enforcement are slowly but surely transforming chaotic use into managed momentum. As Jason put it, “This OHV program isn’t perfect, but it’s a step toward accountability and safety.” Budget cuts have made staffing and progress difficult, but the direction remains clear: more structure, more stewardship.

Jason Scow, Recreation Program Manager, Tonta National Forest

Solar, Land Sales & Recreation Policy

As we broke for lunch, I found myself reflecting on how much more coordinated, collaborative, and creative this region has become in just a few years. It wasn’t long ago that everyone worked in silos. Today, we share trail maps, policy templates, and yes—sometimes frustrations—but we do it face-to-face.

Big thanks to everyone who presented and participated. The next meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2025. If you care about public lands in the Superstition region, now’s the time to step in, show up, and be part of the solution.

If this article inspired you, help us spread the word: share it on your social media with the hashtag #ExplorePinalCounty and your favorite local hashtag (like #VisitArizona, #DiscoverApacheJunction, #ArizonaBackroads, or #SuperstitionMountains).

Your voice helps drive awareness, action, and appreciation for Arizona’s public lands.

Want to collaborate? At Maverick May Solutions, we support economic development storytelling, event coverage, and campaigns that uplift Arizona’s small businesses and nonprofits. Whether you’re looking for direct partnership or sponsorship, let’s connect: kate@mavmay.com. Work with us to build trust-first, compliance-ready campaigns that connect your purpose to your audience, at scale.