SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - An 87-year-old Santa Fe woman has donated a 262-acre ranch to a nonprofit organization that works to preserve land for wildlife habitat, agricultural use and scenic open space.

Jane Petchesky says she donated her family's ranch near Santa Fe Community College and an adobe home to the New Mexico Land Conservancy in February.

Petchesky says people need public places to hike, ride horses and enjoy nature.

New Mexico Land Conservancy executive director Scott Wilber says the gift is a milestone for his organization. The conservancy will place its headquarters at the ranch.

Wilber says having its own space will help the Land Conservancy grow and increase awareness of land conservation.

Petchesky hopes the conservancy will establish educational programs at the ranch.

Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com