Matt Rotty, of the Greater Prescott Podcast, invited Prescott Creeks Executive Director Michael Byrd to an interview in Watson Woods Riparian Preserve. Committed to sharing the stories of Greater Prescott, Matt explored Michael’s journey from his Ohio childhood to his Prescott College thesis creating Prescott Creeks first management plan, and his 25 years managing the

Important Bird Surveys in Watson Woods Riparian Preserve By:    Karen O’Neil(Prescott Creeks Board Chair 2010-2014) In 2005, the Watson-Willow Lakes Ecosystem Important Bird Area (IBA) was designated as the first Important Bird Area in Yavapai County by a group of Arizona scientists for National Audubon Society.  As a part of the ecosystem, Watson Woods Riparian Preserve was

Adapted from The Daily Courier Located not far from the banks of Miller Creek in the middle of Prescott, a new grant-funded restroom has provided not just an environmental benefit, but a human-dignity aspect as well. That point was emphasized recently during a meeting between representatives of the parties involved in the 2019 installation of

by: Dave Frechette, Prescott Audubon Society For the last few years, Prescott Audubon Society (PAS) has worked with Prescott Creeks to install and monitor nest boxes in Watson Woods Riparian Preserve for use by American Kestrels as part of an effort by the American Kestrel Partnership (AKP) and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD)

We’re excited to share the news that Prescott Creeks has extended its lease for Watson Woods Riparian Preserve with the City of Prescott to the year 2045! The original lease had a 25-year term that matured on July 27th. The lease had a provision to extend for an additional 25-year term, thus continuing the collaborative

Effective June 3rd, 2020 at 8 a.m. until rescinded, the Central AZ Fire and Medical Authority and Prescott Fire Department Jurisdictions have implemented Stage II Fire Restrictions This is of particular interest and concern to Prescott Creeks as Watson Woods Riparian Preserve has experienced human-caused wildfires at least three times (1997, 2005, and 2007) resulting in

Looking for more ways to stay in touch with Prescott Creeks? We’ve got you covered! You can find Prescott Creeks on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram (our newest addition – Join us in exploring our local creeks through photos. Your comments are welcome!).

Many may not realize that Prescott Creeks was originally founded on a vision for Granite Creek in the downtown area of Prescott which has evolved into part of Prescott’s Greenways Trail System, a 1.5-mile network of trails that provides an alternative travel route and immersive nature-experience in the heart of Prescott. Over time, the Granite

We are pleased to announce that Deb Pastor came on board as Development and Communications Manager for Prescott Creeks. You may remember Deb from the Granite Creek Cleanup in 2019. She did such a great job for Prescott Creeks that we’ve brought her on in a full-time capacity to help generate additional support for all

Periwinkle (Vinca major) was first observed in Watson Woods Riparian Preserve in 2016. Since that time, Prescott Creeks has engaged volunteers in a multiple methods to control, and ideally locally eradicate the periwinkle from the Preserve. A recent effort is being viewed as a preliminary success. While the plant may be viewed a desirable landscape

“Record Dry Monsoon Continues…” proclaims a Facebook post by the National Weather Service in Flagstaff, Arizona on September 2nd. Prescott is shown as the having the 10th driest monsoon, while Heber, Payson, Flagstaff and Winslow show even drier conditions for the period from June 15th through September 2nd. Prescott Creeks volunteer Aaron Burrows compiled and

The 2019 Tilted Earth Silent Auction netted another $20,000 to support kids and the environment in June this year. Prescott Creeks, Friends of the Verde River, and Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters, joined forces to host the silent auction at Tilted Earth – a wine and music festival held on June 21st and 22nd at

Sierra Club – Yavapai Group’s March Newsletter proclaims “March/April Special Events: Earth Month” The Sierra Club and partners in the Yavapai Climate Change Coalition are expanding Earth Day to Earth Month. They are offering a dozen informational presentations and films beginning in mid-March through the end of April. All this is intended to convince citizens

Public Bathroom to Improve Creeks & Community Downtown Prescott features multiple flowing creeks. However, the surface water quality of those creeks has been listed as “impaired” (polluted) for well over a decade. Miller Creek was targeted by local stakeholders for a water quality improvement project. Prescott Creeks brought together the Coalition for Compassion and Justice

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

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. Water Quality Monitoring Gone

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