History

The Prescott Creeks Preservation Association was founded as a 501(c)3 on March 8, 1990 through the efforts of Bette Bridgewater, Betty Siegfried, and Jay Eby. The founding group established the annual Granite Creek Cleanup, and in 1992 coordinated the construction of a nature trail along Granite Creek. The Granite Creek Trail is now 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.

In 1994, Prescott Creeks found new leadership in three ambitious Prescott College students - Eric Glomski, Jim Donovan, and Ron Smith. At that time, the trio had already worked for several years to build community support for the establishment of a riparian preserve at the City-owned Watson Woods property. With the blessing of Prescott Creeks’ founders and the backing of the newly assembled Watson Woods Advisory Committee, Glomski and Donovan took the helm of Prescott Creeks. In 1995, Glomski and Donovan successfully negotiated a 25-year lease for stewardship of Watson Woods. The following year Watson Woods was officially renamed the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve.

and the Yavapai County Community Foundation, creek identification signs we re installed throughout the city to mark the creeks where they intersect with roads. Prescott Creeks also met with students from Prescott’s Mile High Middle School to teach them about Prescott’s creeks as part of the giant mural they were creating at the Gurley Street Bridge - better known as the Granite Creek Mural Project.  

From 2000 to 2002 in conjunction with the City of Prescott, Prescott Creeks coordinated the design and implementation of mitigation efforts to compensate for environmental impacts associated with the construction of the Parkway Bridge that crosses the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve. In 2001, Prescott Creeks developed and installed 6 interpretive signs throughout the City of Prescott with funding from the Yavapai County Community Foundation. Also in 2002, Prescott’s first watershed monitoring effort was initiated through a partnership between Prescott Creeks, the Open Space Alliance of Central Yavapai County, and the City of Prescott Trails and Open Space Division.

In 2003, Prescott Creeks was busy with planning, grant-writing, and moving operations to The Grove location. These efforts were rewarded in 2004 with a grant from Arizona Water Protection Fund for the development of a master plan for the restoration of Watson Woods. Also in 2004, the Creek Observation Guide was published with funding from River Network.

2004 saw two important designations for parts of the upper Granite Creek Watershed. That year, the nearly 2000-acre Watson and Willow Lakes Ecosystem (including Watson Woods) was designated as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society for the large numbers of seasonal waterfowl and shorebirds that make use of the area. Additionally, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality added Watson Lake and 13 miles of upper Granite Creek to the Environmental Protection Agency Impaired Waters List in accordance with Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act.

In 2005, Prescott Creeks commissioned a series of winter and summer aerial orthophotos of the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve, published Emerald Veins: A Vegetation Field Guide to the Plants of Prescott’s Creeks, and assumed responsibility for the annual Granite Creek Cleanup. Throughout 2005 and 2006, Prescott Creeks developed an updated Restoration Plan for the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve, and in 2007 was awarded funding from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Arizona Water Protection Fund for continued restoration of the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve.

Also in 2007 - with funding from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality - Prescott Creeks coordinated the installation of storm drain markers throughout the City of Prescott to raise awareness about the ecological impacts of dumping pollutants into City storm drains.

In 2008, Prescott Creeks got busy with implementation of the updated Watson Woods Restoration Plan by restoring habitat and creek channels. Also in 2008, Prescott Creeks developed a Best Management Practices guide for Small Farm/Ranch owners with funding from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

In 2009, Prescott Creeks expanded its programs to include Watershed Improvement Planning. The Watershed Improvement Council (WIC) was established to administer the planning phase and an on-the-ground implementation project as part of an Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Targeted Watershed Improvement Plan grant in the Upper Granite Creek Watershed. The WIC is comprised of representatives from many agencies, including Prescott Creeks, City of Prescott, Yavapai County, Prescott National Forest, Arizona Department of Transportation, Prescott Coffee Roasters, other local businesses, citizens, and representatives from academic institutions.

In 2010, Prescott Creeks completed construction of the Rambling River educational stream table, as well as a new website. Restoration activities at Watson Woods, and Watershed Monitoring efforts continued throughout the year.

2011 brought the first draft of the Watershed Improvement Plan. The goals of the Watershed Improvement Plan (WIP) are to: Identify primary sources of nutrients and E.coli bacteria in the watershed, and Develop a plan to reduce the pollutant concentrations entering surface waters

2012 brought the second phase of the Watershed Improvement Plan, and the final inital phase of the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve restoration.