Category: Recent

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,

Read More »

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

Read More »

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,

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

Restoring Rivers – Natural Channel Design

March 24-27, 2015, Prescott Creeks and Natural Channel Design hosted 30 restoration practitioners from Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and Utah in Prescott for a river restoration workshop. Using principles first pioneered by Luna Leopold, and further developed by David Rosgen, and then Tom Moody, the 3 1/2 day workshop introduced participants to the fundamentals of

Read More »

Habitat Improvement Through Removal of Invasive Species

In April, Prescott Creeks will once again make a push to control invasive weeds in the Granite Creek Watershed. Our American Conservation Expereince (ACE) crew will be here for 8 days to help us make another push at improving habitat. Not sure what an invasive weed is? Often thought of as just “weeds” these are

Read More »

Dirty Martinis for Clean Water Member Event

The evening of Friday, March 6, Prescott Creeks hosted the Dirty Martinis for Clean Water membership event at our office cabin, adjacent the Watson Wood Riparian Preserve. 50+ people gathered to learn more about Prescott Creeks, its mission, and some of the ongoing projects that are in process to improve water quality issues in our

Read More »

Public Library Display for March 2015

Prescott Creeks, One Man’s Treasure, and Prescott College are all featured in the Prescott Public Library “Viewerie” for the month of March. Stop in and learn about Prescott Creeks accomplishments over the past 25 years, its ongoing collaborations with Prescott College, and how One Man’s Treasure supports the missions of both organizations. Join us on

Read More »
Scroll to Top