What’s next for Prescott Preserve? Leaders hint at major update
PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. (KESQ)- The Prescott Preserve in Palm Springs is marking four years since the former Mesquite Golf Course was transformed into a future desert nature preserve.
Phase 1 restoration is progressing with native plant cultivation and permitting, while major on-the-ground planting is scheduled for late 2026.
Target Area: Restoring 28 acres of valley floor habitat, focusing on 15 acres of desert dry wash woodland, 11 acres of Sonoran creosote bush scrub, and 2 acres of perimeter buffer. Funding: Backed by a $3,480,000 grant approved by the California Wildlife Conservation Board. Current Progress: Over 6,350 native plants are growing via the Nursery to Nature Pathway alongside ongoing irrigation and site planning. Timeline: Large-scale visible planting is planned for fall/winter 2026 when seasonal weather favors plant survival.
Just months ago, a fire damaged over 3 acres of the preserve. The fire started a debate on having this undeveloped land near neighborhoods. The non-profit, Owsit Land Trust, stepped in with preserving the land by coming out and helping with clean up and restoration efforts.
David Paisley, the Deputy Director and Community Engagement Director for the Oswit Land Trust, said “75 people came out, they worked five days and cleaned it up and six months later it looks great.”
Leaders tell me that responce showed how much people care about this preserve and space, and now Friends of Prescott Preserve is announcing a new membership program to get more people invovled.
Brian Ramos, one of the Members of Friends of Prescott Preserve Steering Committee said “we’ve also decided to do is create membership, tiers and different financial contributions, so that donors can sort of participate at whatever level makes the most sense for them.”
The membership levels will range from 120 dollars a year to 25 thousand dollars or more. Members will get acess to events, educational programs, bird tours, and tours of the preserve.
“Even at the entry level of $120 a year, members will still have complimentary access to social events throughout the year, educational content, birdwatching tours, tours of the preserve as we go through the restoration project over the next few years,” said Ramos.
The group says that membership will help fund projects not covered by the state grants. That includes replacing an old irrigation and restoring the land with native plants.
“One of the major things that’s going to happen this year is this old, dilapidated pump house with the bad roof. It’s all going to get replaced,” said Paisley.
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