Volunteer “Trail Guides” are trained on the botany, wildlife, and geology of Conservancy lands. As part of the Education Program, Trail Guides host events (on and off our trails) including Earth Day, Fall Colors, and a Winter Lecture Series. Trail Guides lead community walks at Snow Mountain Ranch and Cowiche Canyon and teach visitors about the rich diversity of wildlife that inhabit CCC lands, the unique geology and history, and the incredible web of life that connects us all.
The CCC Trail Talks program offers school groups
an environmental education experience in the field.
CCC encourages the use of Conservancy property for educational field trips, science projects, community service projects, and other customized curriculum. Please let us know if you are using CCC lands for educational purposes.
CCC Trail Guides host Community Walks on a variety of topics from butterflies to nature photography, and birds to geology. Walks are family friendly.
Trail Talks is Cowiche Canyon Conservancy’s hands-on outdoor learning program for school-age children. Trail Talks is an interactive, educational, field trip program with learning stations and nature walks — all focused on the Web of Life at Snow Mountain Ranch. All field trips include a lesson on the Web of Life, and groups are able to pick from a variety of learning stations and nature walks including:
Scheduling
To schedule your visit or learn more about Trail Talks, email eco@cowichecanyon.org or call (509) 248-5065.
To request a field trip for your school, please download and fill out a Field Trip Request Form and return the form by emailing it to eco@cowichecanyon.org.
Transportation Assistance
To help all schools and students access field trips, we are thrilled to to announce a Transportation Grant available for the 2019-2020 school year. To apply, download the application here and return it to eco@cowichecanyon.org.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email eco@cowichecanyon.org or call (509) 248-5065.
Planning Your Visit
To request a field trip for your school, please download and fill out a Field Trip Request Form and return the form by emailing it to eco@cowichecanyon.org.
Please consider the following conditions in planning your visit:
Each winter, CCC partners with Yakima Valley College to offer a Winter Talk Series which includes monthly talks on a variety of topics related to the shrub-steppe. The 2021 schedule is posted below. All lectures are open to the public and free of charge.
2020 Lecture Series
Tuesday, January 12, 2021 – via Zoom
“A Natural History of Mount Tahoma” by Jeff Antonelis-Lapp, Evergreen College
Tuesday, February 9, 2020 – via Zoom
On Mountain Lion Safety and Physiology (title TBD) by Michelle Blake, Mountain Lion Foundation
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 – via Zoom
On Lichen Conservation and Ecology (title TBD) by Jessica Allen, Eastern Washington University
CCC hosts an annual Earth Day event in Cowiche Canyon with talks and demonstrations on birds, life in the creek, butterflies, geology, and other related topics. Native plants and spring flowers are labeled along the trail. This is a self-guided hike along the trail through Cowiche Canyon with educational stations along the way. Trail guides are on hand to help guide participants to the stations.
Experience the gorgeous colors of fall in the Yakima Valley with Cowiche Canyon Conservancy’s annual Fall Colors Walks. Fall Colors Walks take place the 3rd Saturday in October starting at 10 am at Snow Mountain Ranch. CCC’s volunteer Trail Guides offer family friendly walks and hikes of varying lengths. There is no charge to participate. Trails at Snow Mountain Ranch have been developed from old farm and game trails and are not paved. Walkers should come prepared with layers of clothing for variable weather, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, water and a camera.