The Town Council has voted to officially establish the islands within Fountain Lake as natural areas.

Community Services Director Mark Mayer said the islands have been maintained for years, at first by developer MCO Properties, and then by the town.

Mayer said the town had a routine of having a landscape contractor visit the islands twice each year to remove weeds and trim vegetation to give a more landscaped look.

Mayer noted considerable difficulty in maintaining any growth on the islands where irrigation was difficult.

“Several years ago local resident Bill Schmitt approached a prior Parks and Recreation Commission to request the islands be maintained more as natural areas due to their attractiveness in a desert environment for wildlife,” Mayer said.

Schmitt also agreed to assume responsibility using volunteer help to maintain the islands by removing weeds and replanting native vegetation on the islands.

This volunteer effort has been ongoing for several years.

“We live in Fountain Hills because we love nature,” Schmitt told the council. “It is pretty amazing to see the wildlife in this environment.”

Schmitt acknowledged the assistance of the Downtown Greening Committee in working on the islands. Jerry Butler of the Greening group said the committee supports Schmitt’s efforts and is glad to back him up.

The council voted 7-0 to approve the request for the natural designation for the islands.