Prescott is uniquely situated at the watershed divide for four of Arizona’s most stunning watersheds: the Verde, Agua Fria, Hassayampa, and Bill Williams Rivers. While these river systems arise from the same mountain ridgelines surrounding Prescott, they are all really quite unique. And, different and exciting conservation opportunities are happening on all four rivers.

You probably know about the effort to designate the Upper Verde River as a National Wild and Scenic River. If you want to support our campaign, please come out to the Wild Rivers Film Tour, at the Elks Theatre in Prescott on May 30. Tickets are available on the Elks website.

On the Hassayampa, we are still awaiting the Prescott National Forest’s final decision on the Hassayampa Mineral Withdrawal, an important step in protecting the river from destructive mining. Please reach out to District Ranger Bobbi Filbert at bobbi.filbert@usda.gov and let her know how important it is to our wildlife, local economy, and quality of life to protect the Hassayampa.

You may have heard of the new mine being planned in the Agua Fria Watershed, called the Silver Cord Mine. The mine would surround Turkey Creek, which is already impaired by mine pollution – as is the Hassayampa. Mining is a major threat to Arizona’s waters, but we also depend on minerals for society to persist. Striking the right balance is essential.

To our west, in the Bill Williams River watershed, major mining giant Freeport-McMoran has shown us that corporate responsibility and wildlife conservation sometimes go hand in hand. A few years ago, Freeport transferred ownership of Planet Ranch, on the Bill Williams River, to the Arizona Game and Fish Department to be managed as the Planet Ranch Conservation Area.

Right now is prime time to head down there and try and see some Yellow-billed Cuckoos or Willow Flycatchers. If you do check it out, be sure to recognize that sometimes resource extraction and habitat conservation interests have to work together to preserve our most beloved habitats.

Let me know if you have any questions about these topics. Joe_Trudeau@tws.org.

Field Expedition in the Santa Maria Mountains

Want to help with some meaningful and fun citizen science? The Santa Maria Mountains are an under-birded range with great birding potential. These are the mountains NW of Prescott - think Walnut Creek and Camp Wood and beyond, a region we've always wanted to know better. One of our partner organizations, Arizona Field Ornithologists, is sponsoring a Field Expedition to the Santa Marias over Memorial Day weekend, and all birders are welcome to come join a team. To learn more and to register, go to: Santa Marias Expedition.