For years, Bald eagles have been a common bird species to observe in specific locations of central Arizona. Lynx Lake, Del Rio Springs, and the Verde River are known nesting sites. For the last three years, Watson Lake has had the distinction of being added to the above list as a nesting site for Bald
Celebrating the Park’s Re-restoration! Previously reported here in October of 2024, West Granite Creek Park was under threat by a City plan to install a paved parking lot between the railroad trestle bridge and Miller Creek! Since then much has happened to protect the park. In March and April of 2026 alone, community volunteers invested
Did you know that Prescott Creeks maintains an office in Prescott? It is a space where the Prescott Creeks Board of Directors meets monthly, where our professional and volunteer staff work, where the Prescott Creeks files and resources are found, and where we love to have visitors stop by for information about how to get
RSVP Invasive Species Control Who: You, Friends of the Verde River, and Prescott Creeks What: A day of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When: Monday January 20th | 9 AM – Noon Where: Watson Woods Riparian Preserve (1795 N. State Route 89, Prescott, AZ 86301) RSVP Friends of the Verde River
Arizona Master Naturalists Make a Difference! For three years, AZ Master Naturalists have made a difference for watersheds, clean water, and riparian habitat through their volunteer contributions to Prescott Creeks! Master Naturalists are certified volunteers who are passionate about nature and are eager to share their knowledge with others. Prescott Creeks is fortunate to have
2025 Arizona Master Naturalist Program dates announced! Attend an info session to learn more. Master Naturalists are certified volunteers who are passionate about nature and are eager to share their knowledge with others. If you are interested in the ecology and natural history of the area, would like to learn more, and would like to
In December and early in the new year, Bald Eagles have been observed at Watson Lake. Eric Moore, of The Lookout, wrote in his January 4th Daily Courier column: “Last month, one of our customers captured some still shots of an eagle carrying a stick as it circled above a large cottonwood tree where its
Success! Thank you to everyone who participated!! In the spirit of service to the community, almost 30 people work with Friends of the Verde River and Prescott Creeks in Watson Woods Riparian Preserve to remove non-native, invasive tamarisk shrubs from the riparian habitat. This makes way for more native species. By the numbers… Acres Treated:
What is a “Master Naturalist” you say? In short, a Master Naturalist is a certified volunteer who is passionate about nature and is eager to share their knowledge with others. If you are interested in ecology and natural history of the Arizona Central Highlands, would like to learn more, and would like to invest your
Dear Friend, Thank you for supporting Prescott Creeks! You are doing your part by protecting threatened riparian areas, restoring important wildlife habitats, controlling pollution, and improving water quality in the Granite Creek Watershed. Your contributions are essential to major construction, water, and research projects which require grants and contracts. Often, half a project’s value must
On the 25th of October, the Prescott City Council authorized funding that will, among other things, allow for the revegetation of the Miller Creek after being disturbed by construction to upgrade aging sewer lines in the area. Prescott Creeks will lead this effort with the City of Prescott, Fann Contracting, and community members. The project will
Photographs are indispensable tools to qualitatively document and assess change in any environment. Simply put, they show change over time in a very relatable form. While photographic monitoring alone is not a complete monitoring program to assess project performance and change, they are an important “tool” we have in our “toolbox” for keeping track of
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) office in Flagstaff the Monsoon Season in Northern Arizona officially runs from June 15th to September 30th each year. However, we don’t typically begin receiving monsoon moisture until the beginning of July. NOAA also indicates that that much of the Northern Arizona area receives 40-50% of
During the spring of 2021, a Prescott College class purchased a few native trees and shrubs to plant at Watson Woods Riparian Preserve. The class got four of ten plants installed in May and Prescott Creeks hand-watered them until the monsoon began. During the summer, Prescott Creeks noted a number of small Arizona walnut trees
The 2022 Monsoon in Prescott seems to be on track to make the top ten list for wettest monsoons according to data from the National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and data collected by Prescott Creeks. At the Prescott Creeks office, just west of Watson Woods Riparian Preserve and the Sundog Ranch
A first-ever audit of the trash collected as part of the Granite Creek Cleanup was conducted on April 25th, 2022. Prescott Creeks wanted to gather this information to gain insight into what is in the 1.83 tons of trash and where the trash originated. The hope was that there might be something of a “smoking
In cooperation with the City of Prescott and the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, Prescott Creeks is pleased to present a video showcasing Watson Woods Riparian Preserve. Join Michael Byrd, Prescott Creeks Executive Director, and others in this approximately 7 minute video to learn about Watson Woods Riparian Preserve – a rare and threatened cottonwood/willow forest
Submitted to The Corps Network by Hannah Traverse on 07/07/2021 “Arizona is one of the driest states in the country. Water is precious here. This makes the watershed improvement projects completed by GEM Environmental Corps all the more important. Based in Prescott, AZ, the GEM Corps team was introduced to watershed restoration work in the spring
Prescott Creeks is the featured non-profit in the June/July issue of Prescott Woman Magazine. In addition to the article, we had the distinct pleasure to participate in the Prescott Woman Podcast with Charles Matheus and Kelly Roberge. Read the non-profit feature and listen to Karen O’Neil, Bruce McKeeman, and Michael Byrd chat with Charles and Kelly about
Watson Woods Riparian Preserve is many things. It is an important rest-stop and permanent home to Arizona’s wildlife. It is green space in the community. It is natural parkland with walking trails. It is a carbon sink absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It is a sponge and a filter holding and cleaning water flowing
As a part of the Prescott Creeks mission to achieve healthy watersheds and clean waters, we invest substantial effort into managing non-native, invasive plant species. Some people call them weeds. But what is a “weed?” Are those yellow flowers that pop up in your garden a weed? Are the pink, prickly things along the trail a
Did you know that Watson Woods Riparian Preserve is a key component of the larger Watson and Willow Lake Important Bird Area (IBA)? Riparian (streamside) areas like those at Watson Woods Riparian Preserve are unique environments. They occupy about ½ of 1% of Arizona’s total land area, yet approximately 75% of the state wildlife species
It’s that time of year again where we all start thinking about wildfires! On Friday, May 14th, the Prescott Fire Department (and much of Northern Arizona) implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions. The main restrictions as they relate to our local creeks and lakes are: NO smoking outside of vehicles, outside of residential yards, or outside
What Join the fun in this inaugural Family Birding Earth Week! Witness and learn about the beauty of your local birds, spend quality time with loved ones, and be entered in a raffle for a chance to win awesome prizes! It’s easy, fun, free, accessible; all you need to do is go outside and pay