IMG_0576 (Small)

25 Years!

Prescott Creeks Sign

Creeks Connect Community!

Prescott Creeks held its 25th Anniversary Celebration September 19, 2015. A beautiful fall day welcomed guests and visitors to our office site at Watson Woods Riparian Preserve to celebrate the waterways and natural areas in our community and the work of Prescott Creeks in restoring and preserving these community treasures.

Our guests participated in walks and presentations on Watson Woods reptiles, birds, native plants, and insects and toured some of our green infrastructure project sites in Prescott. Participants of all ages had the opportunity to get their hands wet and dirty in our Rambling River stream flow dynamics simulator and making “seed bombs” from soil, mulch, and local seeds.

The day wrapped up with good food, celebratory cake and ice cream, and the good company of friends and partners who share an appreciation for the waterways and natural areas that add so much to our Prescott community.

Prescott Creeks looks forward to our next 25 years of working with you in ensuring these community treasures will remain a part of the Prescott area’s landscape for all to enjoy.

                                                                                Earlier Posts:

 

Prescott Creeks is holding its 25th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, September 19, from Noon – 4:30 pm to recognize our 25 years of work restoring and protecting the waterways and surrounding natural areas in and around our community. The day’s activities will include guided plant and wildlife walks in Watson Woods Riparian Preserve, family activities, tours of our recently completed rain gardens and natural landscaping projects, natural stream flow presentations, food and drink, and celebrating the simple idea that…Creeks Connect Community!


When:      Saturday, September 19th, 2015. Noon to 4:30 pm.
Where:    Prescott Creeks Office – Log Cabin
                    1801 N. Hwy 89, Prescott, AZ 86301
What:      Tours, Activities, Food & Drink, Celebration
Who:        You, members, friends, neighbors, family

Please join us Saturday for an afternoon of fun and celebration. A suggested donation of $7 per adult (kids under 8 free) helps Prescott Creeks to cover costs.

Schedule for the day (subject to change):

  • Open House 12:00-4:30pm
  • Tom Barry & his Magic Barbeque. 1:00-4:00 pm
    Burgers, Dawgs and Brauts. Git ’em while they last!
  • Rambling River Stream Flow Dynamics Demonstration. 12:30-1:00 & 2:30-3:00
    We’ll run two demonstrations of this 12’x8′ stream table. Whether you are 9 years old or 90 years old, you’ll want to play with Rambling River.
  • Phenology (Plants) Walk in Watson Woods. 12:00-1:30
    Join Edessa Carr for a different way to look  at the plants in the Woods. 10-15 participant welcome*.
  • Reptiles & Amphibians of the Preserve. 12:00-2:00
    Dr. Erika Nowak will lead a group into the Preserve to learn about how Prescott Creeks has monitored reptiles and amphians. If all goes well, she might let you hold a snake…. 10-15 participants welcome*.
  • Riparian Birds in Watson Woods. 12:30-2:00
    Join Eric Moore, of Jay’s Bird Barn, for an inspired bird-watching excursion. 12 participants maximum*.
  • Water Quality – Green Infrastructure Project Site Tour. 2:00-3:30
    Amanda Richardson, from the City of Prescott, will take a group up the hill to learn about water quality improvement strategies that can be scaled to fit your home or business.
  • Bugs in the Riparian Corridor. 2:00-3:30
    Check out Ty Fitzmorrtis’ bug collection and learn what makes these critters such an important part of the riparian ecosystem.
  • Seed Bomb Station (native seed planting for kids and adults). 2:00-3:30
    John Arndt will demonstrate a fun method of planting native grass seed and let you get your hadns dirty.
  • Celebration: Prescott Creeks Program (with cake, and ice cream?) 3:30-4:30
    Cake will be served! And, we’re likely to say a few words of thanks to all those who have helped Creeks Connect Community over the last 25 years.*These activities will be run on a first-come, first served basis.

                                                                                   Highlights of Our First 25 Years: 

  • Working with other organizations to create our downtown greenway strips and trails
  • Creating and maintaining Watson Woods Preserve
    • Stewards under our lease on the Preserve
    • Securing Preserve boundaries
    • Developing trail systems and interpretive signs
    • Ecological Restoration
      • Restoring wetland habitats
      • Working to restore natural stream dynamics and function
      • Restoring and preserving riparian ecosystem through planting, monitoring, and invasive weed management
      • Extensive outreach and education around practical steps to improve the water quality of our creeks and lakes
    • Water Quality
      • Working in initial testing and identification of impairments in water quality
      • Active leadership in study and planning around issues
        • Led Watershed Improvement Council 2009-2012
        • Leading to Watershed Improvement Plan
      • As part of the Watershed Improvement Plan, green infrastructure rain gardens and natural landscape projects completed 2015
      • Serving to retain and filter runoff and enhancing water quality flowing into Watson and Willow Lake Reservoirs
    • Active in Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) planning and management

All towards restoring and maintaining water quality of our lakes and streams in and around our Prescott Community. As Prescott grows, as recreational demand increases, the value of our waterway assets continues to be a focal point in our community.

                                                                     Looking ahead…

 
  • Our waterways and surrounding natural areas are a vital asset to flora and fauna…the birds and butterflies so to speak
  • Bringing more attention in the growing birding community
  • Collaborative work with Southwest Monarch Study, National Phenology Trail, and others
  • Green infrastructure projects serve as models to inspire private and public property owners to replicate these landscape practices on a community and regional scale…further enhancing the water quality in our creeks and lakes
  • Continuing Watson Woods restoration and preservation efforts
  • Outreach, education, and advocacy towards greater awareness of our local water resources

Share this post

Scroll to Top