Prescott Creeks Preservation Association

What it reported doing in 2024

In the 2025 fiscal year, notable achievements toward the organizations purpose were largely focused with Watson Woods Riparian Preserve (the Preserve). The FOREVER PRESERVED initiative continued to broaden awareness of, and support for, efforts to establish a conservation easement to protect the Preserve in perpetuity. Field trips and presentations were made to the public and groups highlighting the history of the Preserve, current activities, future plans, and a call to action for participants to get involved and to advocate for the Preserve with local decision-makers (elected officials and city key staff).Directly tied to the FOREVER PRESERVED initiative, the Prescott Creeks In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Mitigation Program saw progress with City of Prescott negotiations with the property owner, the City of Prescott, to establish a conservation easement (CE) for the property. By the end of the period a revised (new) lease and attachments, property survey, Joint and Fire Management Plans for the Preserve were ready for finalization. Finalization of the conservation easement and its related elements will result in the addition of 40 acres to the Preserve area (from ~126 to ~166 acres) and bringing the ILF Program into full compliance with the Clean Water Act requirements.Volunteerism with Prescott Creeks continued to be an important component of programmatic accomplishments with activities in the office and field. Coordination for a 4th year with the Central Highlands Chapter of the Arizona Master Naturalist Program resulted in increased volunteer contributions to on-the-ground vegetation management in the Preserve. Joint efforts with Prescott Audubon Society, Arizona Game & Fish Department, and the City of Prescott addressed vegetation and wildlife management and monitoring, recreation management, and education. In particular, the period included the first-ever successful nesting attempt of a Bald Eagle pair in the 40 acres to be added to the Preserve. One male eaglet was banded and fledged from the nest. Coordination with the local power company and City showed progress with routing of the proposed infrastructure which will benefit multiple ecological and recreational resources in the Preserve.Many educational efforts and opportunities during the year supported the above projects and the organizations mission of achieving healthy watersheds and clean waters in central Arizona. In person presentations were made to both local groups, schools, partners, and governments. The annual Granite Creek Cleanup in 2025 marked its 18th year under the leadership of Prescott Creeks (with operational partners: the City of Prescott and the Yavapai County GIS Department). To date, 8,400 participants have collected and removed 55.3 tons of trash and debris from local waterways, parks, and natural areas. Interest in participation continues to trend upward while trash collected continues to trend downward.2026FY accomplishments are expected to include completion and approval of management and development plans, and the establishment of a conservation easement for the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve. The initiation of major on-the-ground restoration and mitigation work will follow. Increased community engagement, volunteerism, and education will continue in the 2026FY.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 59.1%; rating input score 59
• Program expense ratio: 50.8%; rating input score 51
• Fundraising efficiency: $1.07 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 6; 6th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 62
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -18.5%; rating input score 15; 15th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 16.9; rating input score 94; 94th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.96; rating input score 5; 5th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 30%; rating input score 11; 11th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -5.6% per year; rating input score 0; 16th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -10.3% per year; rating input score 0; 6th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 14.6% per year; rating input score 100; 77th percentile among comparable filings