Category: Recent

E-News 10th Anniversary!

The first issue of Prescott Creeks e-newsletter came out in November of 2008. Renee Hoover, an Americorps VISTA, pulled that issue together to let people know what was happening with the Watson Woods Preserve Restoration Project, and it stuck. Since then, we’ve sent monthly (almost) updates to your email inbox letting you know what’s happening

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Wild & Scenic Rivers

The National Wild & Scenic River System turns 50 Years Old On this second day of October, 2018, Prescott Creeks takes a moment to recognize the 50 years of the National Wild & Scenic River System that the US Congress set in motion in 1968. While Granite Creek is far from wild for most of

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Gone to the Dogs

Above: Golden retriever Kenna and her handler Laura Symonds of Environmental Canine Services, LLC. take a break from water quality monitoring on Miller Creek. ADEQ, the University of Arizona, Prescott Creeks, and the Butte Creek Restoration Council teamed up to investigate potential pollutant sources with the help of Kenna’s sensitive nose.        

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Bathrooms for Water Quality

In 2016 the Coalition for Compassion and Justice (CCJ) started the Stagger Straight Community Emergency Shelter on Miller Creek near the Dexter neighborhood. When CCJ moved in, they recognized the significance of having the creek in their back yard and asked Prescott Creeks to come talk with their clients about riparian systems and water quality

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Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

Dry and windy weather this spring has led to high fire danger throughout central Arizona. Due to these severe weather conditions, the City of Prescott, Prescott National Forest, Yavapai County, and the Central Arizona Fire & Medical Authority are currently under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, and will be under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions beginning Friday,

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New Riparian Habitat in the Preserve

During this past winter, Prescott Creeks took the opportunity provided by the dormancy of Cottonwood trees and Willow shrubs to harvest pole cuttings for revegetation in the Preserve. Cottonwoods and Willows are members of the Willow Family, (Salicaceae), of which all members have an amazing ability to reproduce asexually. In the wild they grow along

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Mysterious Streamflow

In Watson Woods Riparian Preserve, Granite Creek, and wetlands like the one pictured above filled with groundwater after months of drought. After decent monsoon rains, this past fall and early winter brought essentially no measurable precipitation until January 9th, 2018. To those who pay close attention to seasonal shifts and the ecological response to weather,

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Biodiversity & Invasive Plants

Nature loves diversity. A walk through a healthy Central Arizonan riparian (streamside) corridor would reveal a rich forest composed of ash, walnut, boxelder maple, hackberry, three to four different species of willow, three different species of cottonwood, and numerous species of shrubs, graminoids (grasses and grass-like plants), forbs, and aquatic plants. Each of these plants

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Saltcedar in Watson Woods

Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.), also known as tamarisk, is a large shrub native to Eurasia and northern Africa that grows in arid to semi-arid regions. Found only along waterways, saltcedar can spread rapidly and take over areas normally dominated by willows. Saltcedar does best in disturbed areas which make up a majority of the riparian areas

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Preserve Infrastructure

If you drive along Highway 89 between Downtown Prescott and the Granite Dells, or if you spend much time in Watson Woods Riparian Preserve, you would have a hard time not noticing the construction project that has been occurring over the last several months. Last year, the City of Prescott approached Prescott Creeks with plans

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Art in Nature

“We cannot win this battle to save species and environments without forging an emotional bond between ourselves and nature – for we will not fight to save what we do not love.” Stephen J. Gould, Evolutionary Biologist Tweet Expressive Arts in Partnership with Nature   This year, in early August, Denise Incao, local artist and

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Monarchs Returning

Right on schedule, monarch butterflies are appearing in the Prescott area. A number of astute observers report seeing these familiar butterflies returning to their haunts in Watson Woods Riparian Preserve, along the Willow Lake trail system, and in monarch-friendly gardens throughout the community. Thanks to Suzanne Yoder for the remarkable video of a monarch laying

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Nesting Raptors

Prescott Creeks ongoing restoration efforts in Watson Woods Riparian Preserve continue to see results in stream and wetland function, willow and cottonwood planting distribution and growth (“recruitment”), and habitat quality. With the support of thousands of volunteer hours and your membership contributions and donations, what was once the town dump and gravel pit is now

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Updated Fire Conditions

With the rains of the last week, fire conditions have been downgraded but remain Moderate to High. Current as of July 17, 2017, according to Prescott National Forest: “(t)here are currently no fire restrictions on the Prescott National Forest. Please remember: fires must be attended at all times, fires must be extinguished completely (cold to

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Volunteer Appreciation

28 December 2016 Dear Volunteers, On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, I’d like to thank you for the time that you have committed to working with Prescott Creeks. Your volunteer efforts have resulted in evident improvements in the Upper Granite Creek Watershed and the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve. As a volunteer you

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Down in the Weeds

Spring is here, migrating birds are back, butterflies are out and about, flowers are in bloom, a lot is going on. To most this is an exciting time to be outside and explore our natural gems. For Prescott Creeks staff and volunteers it is also time to roll up our sleeves and engage in management of invasive

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Membership

One of central Arizona’s most important assets is its natural beauty – supported by healthy natural areas. Prescott Creeks is working to protect and enhance them. We invite you to make a difference for the long term  by becoming a member of Prescott Creeks. Becoming a Prescott Creeks member demonstrates your commitment to make a

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25 Years!

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

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Black Hawks – Impact Story

The term ‘indicator species,’ or ‘bioindicator,’ seemed too impersonal and detached to describe the black hawk screeching kee-kee-KEE-KEE as it emerged from a wall of lush cottonwoods and took a low pass right over our heads. We must be close to a nest, we thought, and quickly backed away in the direction we had come. We watched

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Phenology Trails

Many of us notice things like the timing of the first snow in the fall. The first wildflowers are blooming early, we may think out loud on a May walk, with a warm spring also bringing what seems to be an early brood of robins nesting in a tree by your kitchen window. In more

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4th of July Celebration

It’s time for the mid-summer celebration of our nation! Fourth of July with parades, fireworks, and ice cream. With apparent onset of the summer monsoons, many are visiting our local creeks to see the flowing water and wildlife that abounds there. Please exercise caution during your celebrations and visits. With the rain in the last week and

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