In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the Valles Caldera Preservation Act, a visionary piece of legislation that transferred to the public domain a privately owned ranch in northern New Mexico. This book tells the natural and human history of the preserve, presents photographs of its splendour, and outlines the unique administrative experiment now underway to manage its public lands.
William deBuys chaired the board of trustees for the Valles Caldera Trust from its formation in 2001 until 2005. He is the author of several books, among them "Enchantment and Exploitation: The Life and Hard Times of a New Mexico Range"; "River of Traps: A Village Life"; and "Salt Dreams: Land and Water in Low-Down California".
Don J. Usner was born and grew up in New Mexico. He earned his B.A. in biology and environmental studies at the University of California and his M.A. in cultural geography at the University of New Mexico. His books include "Sabino's Map: Life in Chimayo's Old Plaza"; "Benigna's Chimayo: Cuentos from the Old Plaza"; and "Route 66 On Tour: Legendary Architecture from Glenrio to Gallup".