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
By Leslie Loomis, Prescott Creeks Volunteer & IBA Survey Coordinator A very big thank you to all the volunteers who helped to gather data and make these days fun! The data we gathered helps Prescott Creeks in making management decisions for the Preserve. It also helps in the bigger picture because this data goes to eBird,
The Prescott Fire Department (PFD) and the Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA) enacted Stage I fire restrictions effective 5/21/2026. There are approximately 50 miles of named creeks within the Prescott area that could be negatively affected by wildfire. Please do your part to be safe by using care when visiting creeks, lakes, and
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
By Leslie Loomis, Prescott Creeks Volunteer & IBA Survey Coordinator The morning of the first fall migration survey in Watson Woods Riparian Preserve, Sunday, August 24, dawned sunny and clear, after a week of light monsoon weather. Eleven volunteers from Prescott Audubon and Prescott Creeks met at the Peavine Trail for a check-in before splitting up
By Phil Taska, Prescott Creeks Volunteer and AZ Master Naturalist, and Michael Byrd, Prescott Creeks Executive Director You may know that the master abiotic (non-living) factors governing any ecosystem are temperature and moisture. This is especially true for the riparian ecosystem found in Watson Woods Riparian Preserve. “Climate” can be described using exactly those parameters:
Update – 6 August 2025 On Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 Prescott voters overwhelmingly supported Proposition 484 “Open Space Charter Amendment”. Passage of the proposition will amend Article VIII, Section 12 of the City of Prescott Charter by adding several city-owned properties, prohibiting the sale, lease, or transfer of such properties and requiring such properties be
The Prescott Fire Department (PFD) and the Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA) enacted Stage I fire restrictions as of 8 a.m. Friday, May 30 – throughout the 42 square mile service area of the City of Prescott. See additional details at The Daily Courier. There are approximately 50 miles of named creeks within
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
Granite Creek Upper Verde River Watershed Plan-EA The Yavapai County Flood Control District (YCFCD) is the Sponsoring Local Organization receiving assistance from the USDA-NRCS to create a PL 83-566 Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment Document (Plan-EA) for the Granite Creek Upper Verde River Watershed in Yavapai County, Arizona. YCFCD is supported in this effort by
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
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
To Pave or Not to Pave? West Granite Creek Park is under threat by a City plan to install a paved parking lot between the railroad trestle bridge and Miller Creek! West Granite Creek Park is actually the upstream portion of Granite Creek Park – one of Prescott’s oldest and most beloved parks. Few realize
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
Set to begin the week of October 31st, 2022, the project consists of improvements to the trail corridor that parallels Granite Creek between Aubrey Street and Granite Creek Park. Improvements will be made to the trail and to the creek channel riparian habitat. Read more about the project in our March 5, 2020 post
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
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