Prescott Preserve​

The Wildlife Conservation Board approved the allocation of $3,480,000 grant to the Saving Oswit Canyon, DBA Oswit Land Trust, on May 22, 2025. This grant aims to restore 28 acres of diverse desert valley floor habitat within Prescott Preserve, a 120-acre former golf course in Palm Springs. Phase 1 of the restoration project will focus on 15 acres of desert dry wash woodland, 11 acres of Sonoran creosote bush scrub, and 2 acres of perimeter buffer habitat.

The Mesquite Country Club Homeowners Association board has approved a settlement agreement with Oswit Land Trust (OLT) over the Prescott Preserve, clearing the way for the preservation organization to receive a crucial grant from the Wildlife Conservation Board.

Our vision is a preserve that both wildlife and humans can enjoy. We don’t want to create another Demuth Park or Ruth Hardy Park. Palm Springs already has that type of recreation area. Instead, we aim to restore the land to its original habitat before it was developed into a golf course. Planting native trees, creosote bush shrubs, and other native plants is one of our top priorities.

Prescott Preserve is private property owned by the Oswit Land Trust and open to the public from dawn until dusk. We allow public access in designated areas and welcome hikers on all paths, and bikes and leashed dogs on multi-use path (see below). Guests are required to stay on a designated trail.

The best place to park is on Farrell Street, which gives you access to both sides of the Preserve. At this time, the Preserve does not have an official parking lot.

No, Prescott Preserve currently doesn't have a visitors’ center or any public restrooms.

We have posted general information about Rules for Visiting Prescott Preserve. Please visit Our Lands to learn more. Oswit Land Trust Rangers and Trail Ambassadors are present daily at our properties. Rangers and Trail Ambassadors make sure that our visitors follow Rules for Visiting and that wildlife is safe and protected. Rangers enforce Rules for Visiting and write Safety Report Cards. Visitors who break Rules for Visiting are subject to receiving Official Ban / No Trespassing Letter. We take the safety and security of guests, staff, volunteers and wildlife very seriously.

Oswit Land Trust Rangers and Trail Ambassadors are present daily at all our conservation land. Our properties are monitored 24/7 with motion-activated wildlife cameras.

All are welcome to stroll on our trails. No one is permitted to break the rules, which includes no camping overnight, being off trail or being in wildlife areas. Prescott Preserve is private property and all rules are enforced.

Coyotes have been natives of North America for thousands of years and are residents of our very own Prescott Preserve. They have lived here before it was a golf course, when it was a golf course, and now as a preserve. Please be respectful of their space. Follow the guidelines below to learn how to keep wildlife and your pets safe. Dogs are allowed on the multi-use path only (see below).

• Coyotes may follow behind dog-walkers for short distance. If you are uncomfortable in the presence of coyotes, pick up small dogs and shorten the leash of a large dog, and calmly exit the area.
• Noise makers may be used to scare off a coyote but ONLY if they are approaching. It is ineffective to use them from a distance.
• No dogs off leash, EVER. This is in violation of Preserve rules and local laws.
• No harassing of wildlife, do not allow dogs to chase or intervene in any way. Same for goes for people. This is a violation of state law.
• Keep dogs on SHORT leashes, 6' or less and close to your body. This keeps everyone safe. No retractable leashes on the Preserve.

We have recorded over 184 species of birds at Prescott Preserve. Join us every 2nd and 4th Thursday for free guided Bird Walk and see them for yourself. WARNING: You might become a birder for life!

Dogs are allowed on some trails. And some trails are reserved for only hikers, which gives wildlife space to thrive, away from predators (dogs) and fast moving vehicles (bikes). Also, some of our grants that allow the Preserve to be restored have dog-use restrictions.

Through our planning grants, we brought in not only a restoration and environmental company, but we also brought in local scientists to advise on the best way to restore this land. A common suggestion was that we include large boulders in the restoration as they are critical for wildlife. Because many companies that sell rocks and boulders go into the mountains and take them, we did not want to acquire boulders from an unethical source. We found a local developer who was going to be disposing of local boulders (sourced just a few miles from the Preserve) and was willing to give them to us for free. Unfortunately, because of the lawsuit, we are unable to immediately distribute the boulders to different parts of the Preserve. Notably, within 24 hours of the boulders arriving at the property squirrels, lizards, birds, and others were using them either to rest on, hide behind or seek shade. During the restoration process, the boulders will be distributed in a way that will look more natural.

Yes. Contact David Paisley at DavidP@OswitLandTrust.org to be part of a small group tour.

We have lots of opportunities to get involved in Prescott Preserve restoration process or within our organization! If you’d like to become a volunteer, submit the following Volunteer Registration Card to be added to our volunteer database. If you have particular skills or experience you think could be beneficial to aiding the process, email Volunteer@oswitlandtrust.org to discuss other ways you can get involved. And of course, donations are always accepted. Becoming a monthly donor through oswitlandtrust.org is an excellent way to help us transform Prescott Preserve and aid our ongoing efforts to save wildlife one acre at a time!

The residents and visitors of Palm Springs are very supportive and passionate about Prescott Preserve. State and federal agencies love the idea of Prescott Preserve and are a huge supporter. Prescott Preserve is becoming a tourist hot spot contributing to the local economy as well as creating jobs for our community. As the cherry on top, we are saving land and wildlife for a lifetime to come so that it's WIN, WIN, WIN across the board. We hold Prescott Preserve very close to our hearts and we are excited to show you our vision. Please scroll below to learn more.