The Watershed We Want: Granite Creek to the is a community-based, collaborative project designed to unify and integrate management of the natural environment, science-based A thunderhead forms at sunset over Watson Lake. watershed education, and development of a sustainable economy ON THE COVER: A biker enjoys the trail through Watson Woods. Photos by Walt Anderson with input from diverse stakeholders.

3 A Sense of Place The 224,000 acre Granite Creek Watershed includes: ◆ Nearly 100,000 people ◆ Three cities ❖ Prescott, ❖ Prescott Valley, Arizona ❖ Chino Valley, Arizona ◆ Rural communities Watershed Highlights ◆ Four lakes ◆ Nine creeks and their tributaries ◆ Watson and Willow Lake Ecosystem Important Bird Area (IBA) ◆ Watson Woods Riparian Preserve ◆ Granite Dells ◆ Network of trails for recreation and community connectivity ◆ Prescott Recharge Ponds/Wetlands ◆ Promised Lands ◆ Del Rio Springs ◆ Sullivan Lake ◆ Headwater of the Verde River ❖ Which provides water to 2.7 million people A beaver dam along the Verde River ❖ Wild & Scenic River Photo by Walt Anderson 4 Goldwater Lake Photo by Walt Anderson 5 SSignifiignifi ccantant HHeadwaterseadwaters SSomeome ooff tthehe mostmost bbeautifuleautiful andand ddiverseiverse areasareas inin thethe WestWest ccanan bbee ffoundound iinn tthehe GGraniteranite CCreekreek WWatershed.atershed. ◆ Convergence of four ecosystems: ❖ High pines ❖ Pinyon and juniper forests ❖ Cottonwood and willow gallery forests ❖ High desert grasslands ◆ Vital to the fl ow of the upper 25 miles of the Verde River

A thunderhead forms over a riparian area at sunset Photo by Walt Anderson

6 The Habitat in Which We Live ◆ An extraordinary biological corridor for an impressive array of wildlife ❖ Critical habitat for 11 species of wildlife ❖ One of only three rivers where river otters still thrive ❖ Ever-expanding string of ponds created by beavers ❖ Designated Audubon Important Bird Areas ❖ Habitat for over 200 species of birds ❖ One of only two places in Arizona where Wood Ducks still reproduce ❖ Wildlife includes river otters, beavers, elk, deer, pronghorn, bobcats, mountain lions, and many others

Young stewards learn about watershed habitats and their wildlife residents at Watson Woods Riparian Preserve. Photo by Prescott Creeks 7 CCelebratingelebrating OurOur RRichich HHeritageeritage Central Arizona is a place of stunning geologic and historic wonder. Prescott, the fi rst Territorial Capital of Arizona, was founded in this location because of its wealth of natural resources. ◆ Prescott and Fort Whipple established in 1864 on Granite Creek due to perennial fl ow ◆ By 2010 the area population exceeded 100,000 residents and represents the hub of the third largest metropolitan area in Arizona ◆ Economic base shifted from ranching and mining to development and service industries ◆ Community changes resulted in severe pressure on natural resources and demand for recreational opportunities in nature ◆ A 2009 Watershed Survey revealed: ❖ 87% of respondents are either “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” about the environmental condition of their local area ❖ 97% of respondents rated the importance of protection or restoration of Prescott’s waterways as “very important” or “somewhat important”

Below, the Granite Creek Watershed has been a life force for centuries in Central Arizona. Photographs by, from left, Walt Anderson, Gary Beverly, A windmill at sunset Gary Beverly and Matt Turner. Bottom photo of the dam construction Photo by Walt Anderson courtesy of the City of Prescott. 8 9 A SStringtring ofof PearlsPearls The Watershed We Want features “a ◆ Watson & Willow Lakes ◆ Granite Creek and Verde River ribbon of green” along Granite Creek before $15 million City of Prescott purchase Confl uence joining the Verde River. Existing and future from Chino Valley Irrigation District The Nature Conservancy’s Verde Springs sites strung together as “pearls” connect resulting in change in management Preserve and AZ Game and Fish wildlife and people, and form the greenway objectives from agricultural use to Department’s Upper Verde River Wildlife system. municipal water supply and recreation. Area together encompass 1,000 acres The Lakes & Watson Woods were plus another 2,600 acres of conservation subsequently named as an Important easement. Bird Area by the National Audubon ◆PPearls Watsonearl sWoods WeW eRiparian Have:Ha vPreservee: Society. ◆ Highlands Center for Natural History Established by Prescott Creeks through Through a special-use permit with the a long-term lease with City of Prescott. ◆ City of Prescott Open Spaces the Center $3.75 million in public and private $15.5 million in voter-approved sales raised $3 million in private donations to funding, as well as volunteer labor, to taxes and in-kind donations valued at build a LEED certifi ed facility on their restore its 126 acres of habitat and nearly $1 million acquired 18 parcels 80-acre campus. improve water quality along a 1-mile totaling 305 acres of open space. reach of Granite Creek.

Clouds over Watson Lake and the Granite Dells Photo by Walt Anderson

10 TThehe PPearlsearls WeWe Want:Want: ◆ Sites providing CONNECTIVITY for humans and wildlife: intentional community networks

◆ Sites with ECOLOGICAL and HISTORICAL values

◆ Sites providing valuable EDUCATIONAL and INTERPRETIVE opportunities

◆ Sites IRREPLACEABLE if lost

The Peavine Trail is popular with hikers and bikers. Photo by Walt Anderson

11 A SSenseense ooff UrgencyUrgency Now is the time for The Watershed We Want

◆ Ecologically healthy riparian zones and perennial rivers are now extremely rare in Arizona ◆ Arizona’s rivers have been severely degraded by development, groundwater withdrawal, and surface water diversions ◆ Riparian zones along perennial rivers Photo by Walt Anderson occupy less than 0.38 percent of Arizona’s landscape ◆ Ecologists estimate that 80% of our wildlife depend on riparian habitat for some or all of their life cycle ◆ Unprecedented urban growth occurred in the watershed ◆ Our groundwater future is uncertain; our surface waters are impaired ◆ Once completed, the Peavine and Circle Trails will connect communities and provide transportation corridors

School children experiencing the thrill of a waterfall during school fi eld trip. Photo by Highlands Center

12 At left, raw sewage overfl ows into the urban creek. Photo by Prescott Creeks

Below, dense housing and traffi c in the grasslands refl ect the unprecedented urban growth in the watershed. Photos by Walt Anderson

13 14 15 Sustainable Economy Central Arizona’s beautiful scenery, diverse ecosystems, and mild four-season climate provide a quality of life for local people. These attributes also attract traveling outdoor enthusiasts. Creating a sustainable economy is critical to The Watershed We Want.

Canoeists enjoy the serenity of Willow Lake. Photo by Walt Anderson 16 Outdoor recreation is vital to Arizona’s economy Statewide Economic Impact Sustainable Economy Industries ◆ 86,920 industry jobs annually ◆ Adventure Education Institutions ◆ $371 million in annual state tax revenue ◆ Guides & Outfi tters ◆ $5.3 billion produced in retail sales and ◆ Outdoor Recreation Industries services across Arizona annually (promotion, fabrication, maintenance) ◆ Benefi ciaries of Tourism (hotels, restaurants, artisans)

Family climbing day with Rubicon Outdoors Chief Guide Kevin Keith. Photo by Rubicon Outdoors

17 WWatershedatershed Education:Education: CConnectingonnecting PPeopleeople aandnd NNatureature Connecting people with their environment is an invaluable part ◆ Expand community education opportunities for all ages focusing on of creating The Watershed We Want. We believe that everyone ecological literacy, water conversation, has a fundamental need to connect with the natural world, and and watershed stewardship we will foster these connections through the following actions: ◆ Pilot test the curriculum with over 300 local students

◆ Develop a college scholars program at Prescott College focused on the watershed research

◆ Design an interpretative signage strategy for the Greenway system to encourage self-guided exploration

◆ Offer family-oriented interpretive walks at key locations for tourist and local residents

◆ Expand community clean-up days throughout the Greenway

◆ Expand volunteer Citizen Scientists program to involve the public in collecting Kyle gets up close and personal with a frog during a recent Granite Creek Greenway Project. baseline ecological data on the Greenway Photo by Highlands Center and build local commitment to the ecosystem

18 Fiona Reid, education director for Highlands Center for Natural History, helps children discover the wonders of nature and become wise caretakers of the land. Photo by Highlands Center

19 A Vision for the Watershed We Want The Watershed We Want—Granite Creek to the Verde River project will serve as a focal point for community development with conservation of the natural environment, watershed education, and sustainable economies as a foundation. This multidimensional, long-term effort will include initial phases of planning before full-scale implementation commences.

Outcomes will be measured against milestones. We will ask the question An American Kestrel surveys the landscape. “Are our actions having the intended results and impact?” Photo by Walt Anderson

OUTCOMES:

◆Natural Assemble stakeholder Environment group and establish process Metrics: Community participation including NGOs, schools, businesses, and community members

◆ Prioritize list of Greenways sites for acquisition/inclusion Metrics: Completion of an important mile of trail to extend community connectivity

◆ Complete on-the-ground project (Lake-to-Lake Trail)

Sophia enjoying a bicycle ride on the Peavine Metrics: Complete an important mile of trail to facilitate to connectivity of the National Recreation Trail. community Photo by Rubicon Outdoors 20 ◆Watershed Establish Watershed Education Scholars Program Metrics: First group of Watershed Scholars available to volunteer with project

◆ Plan and implement pilot watershed education program Metrics: Standards achieved by participating students Sustainable Economy ◆ Conduct Economic Impact Study resulting Ecotourism and “Voluntourism” Plan Metrics: Projected economic impact

◆ Implement and Evaluate Pilot Program Metrics: Quantitative understanding of the economic impacts of a connected watershed Long-term Outcomes: ◆ Expanding Greenway System with increased community commitment

◆ Restoration and enhancement projects implemented with habitat and water quality improvements

◆ Watershed education mainstreamed with standards achievement and changed behaviors

◆ Wider community understanding of the watershed and commitment to protect it Top, a Queen Butterfl y. Center, a Two-tailed Swallowtail along the Verde River. Bottom, a Red-spotted Admiral. ◆ Ecotourism among top economic development strategies in the Watershed We Want Photos by Walt Anderson 21 Percentages of Estimated Funding Required by Outcome Areas This project will build upon an extensive investment in watershed assets valued at over $38 million—the “Pearls We Have.” The Natural total estimated cost to achieve The Watershed We Want is Sustainable Environment $3.3 million. It is expected that $2.6 million for property Economy 46% acquisition to complete the Lake-to-Lake Trail will be secured 28% from other potential partners and/or through in-kind donations. Watershed The remaining $687,000 is distributed among personnel, Education professional services, program supplies, and mileage. 26%

The Watershed We Want Project—Estimated Budget

Outcome Area Estimated Funding Required Estimated In-Kind Support Estimated Overall Cost Natural Environment 315,503 2,627,500 2,943,003 Watershed Education 175,669 — 175,669 Sustainable Economy 195,709 — 195,709 Total $686,881 $2,627,500 $3,314,381

22 Natural Environment Outcomes • Stakeholder Work Group Convened • Prioritized list of “Pearls We Want” • Lake-to-Lake Trail Completed

Watershed Education Outcomes Sustainable Economy Outcomes • Scholars Program • Economic Impact Study • Pilot Program for all ages • Ecotourism & Voluntourism Pilot Program

23 A Community Partnership Highlands Center for Natural History The Highlands Center helps children and adults Prescott Creeks Preservation Association discover the wonders of nature and become wise Prescott Creeks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t organization caretakers of the land. The Highlands Center serves “The whole is greater than the with the mission to promote, protect and celebrate over 7,000 children annually, provides teacher and sum of its parts.” the ecological integrity of riparian systems public workshops, adult natural history classes, —Aristotle and associated wetlands in the central Arizona docent and naturalist training courses and weekly The partnerships forged in the watersheds through conservation, restoration and interpretative walks. education. Prescott’s voice for riparian conservation www.HighlandsCenter.org name of The Watershed We since 1990. Representative: Dave Irvine Want project bring together www.PrescottCreeks.org Representative: Michael Byrd entities currently working to protect watersheds and water resources, improve habitat and water quality, and educate and increase citizen awareness and engagement.

Graphic design of The Watershed We Want by AHA Creative Ink, Prescott. www.ahaCreativeInk.com Sunset over Granite Mountain Photo by R. Gregory 24 The Nature Conservancy – Verde Prescott College Watershed Program It is the mission of Prescott College to educate The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve Granite Dells Preservation Foundation The Granite Dells Preservation Foundation was students of diverse ages and backgrounds to the plants, animals and natural communities that incorporated in Arizona in June 2010 for the benefi t understand, thrive in, and enhance our world represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting and preservation of the Granite Dells; protection of community and environment. We regard learning as a the lands and waters they need to survive. The Verde the environmental and scenic integrity; education of continuing process and strive to provide an education Program was created to protect the Verde River for the public regarding the ecology, history, cultural, that will enable students to live productive lives while Wildlife and people in a watershed which feeds many and economic values of the area; achieving a balance between self- Arizona communities downstream. and other non-profi t functions fulfi llment and service to others. www.Nature.org which may benefi t the area and the www.Prescott.edu Representative: Dan Campbell foundation. Representative: Walt Anderson Representative: Steve Walker

Prescott Audubon Society The mission of the Prescott Audubon Society is to preserve and protect our environment for all who Rubicon Outdoors inhabit it. The Society pursues these goals through guiding Arizona Highways education, fi eld work, social activities, and activism. photographers on Watson Lake. Photo by Rubicon Outdoors www.PrescottAudubon.org Representative: Karen O’Neil

25 A winter view of Granite Mountain from the shores of Willow Lake. Photo by Walt Anderson

26 Juvenile Great Horned Owl Photo by Walt Anderson 27 Watson Lake meets Watson Woods. Photo by Walt Anderson