Outings & Events
What’s going on!
There are many ways to experience Shrub-Steppe.
Cowiche Canyon Conservancy holds a variety of events and activities to increase opportunities for kids and adults to learn about the unique natural environment of the shrub-steppe and connect people to these lands. We work with a variety of partners including other non-profit organizations, schools, and local, state, and federal agencies to engage the community with our work and build support for our conservation work.
NATURE’S STORYTELLERS
A collaboration of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Cowiche Canyon Conservancy, and friends celebrating nature as a storyteller, through which we learn about the science and myths of the natural world and our connections within it
NATURE’S STORYTELLERS ART EXHIBIT
From the rugged Garry Oak tree to the fragile threads of a spider’s web, nature is full of stories that reveal our intimate connection to the natural world.
The art exhibit will be on display January – March 2020 at Essencia Artisan Bakery.
Artists’ Reception, Friday, February 21, 6:30 – 8:30 pm.
The exhibit includes 25 works of art from 16 local artists:
Chloe Waham | Betsy Bloomfield | Sharon Cox | David Hagen | Linda Ritch | Cecilia Marie Hudon | Ivan Baumbach | Michelle Baumbach | Marlene Simla | Joan Eckman | Nancy Lust | Sheryl Pickering | Mikaela Lemus | Mary Lemus | Asiah Schaffer | Mary Lou Rozdilsky
Email info@cowichecanyon.org with questions.
IMAGES OF THE SHRUB-STEPPE “VIRTUAL” ART EXHIBIT
Boxx Gallery and Cowiche Canyon Conservancy present IMAGES OF THE SHRUB-STEPPE, a virtual exhibit featuring artwork inspired by the shrub-steppe lands of Cowiche Canyon Conservancy
IMAGES OF THE SHRUB-STEPPE
CALL TO ARTISTS
CCC is partnering with the BOXX Gallery in Tieton for our 4th annual art exhibit Images of the Shrub-Steppe. We are seeking artwork inspired by the shrub-steppe lands of Cowiche Canyon Conservancy. Exhibit will be juried by Renee Adams, Exhibition and Publicity Coordinator of Gallery One Visual Arts in Ellensburg.
Due to the public health concerns related to the coronavirus, this will exhibit will be on-line.
All mediums welcome. Entries due June 20. Download the 2020 prospectus here.
Exhibit will be on display online July – August.
Questions? email celisa@cowichecanyon.org
COWICHE CANYON ROCKS 2020
Join us for our annual fundraiser – Cowiche Canyon Rocks Garden Party + Auction.
Proceeds from the event support the ongoing education, conservation, and recreation programs of Cowiche Canyon Conservancy.
COWICHE CANYON ROCKS
GARDEN PARTY + AUCTION
POSTPONED
Yakima Area Arboretum
$75/person (21 & over)
Table of 8: $600
Includes food and drink
Auctioneer: Laura Michalek
All of the funds raised at this event are invested in CCC’s mission to protect shrub-steppe habitat and connect people to this vanishing landscape!
UPCOMING COMMUNITY WALKS
Our Community Walks are family friendly and educational. Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming walks.
UPLANDS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PROPERTY TOURS
POSTPONED
Scenic / Uplands Trailhead
CCC has launched a Capital Campaign to purchase 245 acres in the heart of the Uplands of Cowiche Canyon. The land for sale holds some of the most beloved and used trails of the Uplands. Come see for yourself! Join us for a guided tour of this property. You can help us raise the funds needed to purchase and permanently protect this land as public wild space.
Tours will start from Scenic Trailhead parking lot and will be about 1.5 hours.
EARLY WILDFLOWER WALK – CANCELLED
CANCELLED – In accordance with state and CDC suggestions, we are sadly cancelling this event due to public health concerns for the coronavirus.
Saturday, March 21, 10 am
Scenic / Uplands Trailhead
Spring brings waves of wildflowers to the shrub-steppe. Join us for one of the first ones!
BIRDING TOUR AT SNOW MOUNTAIN RANCH – CANCELLED
CANCELLED – In accordance with state and CDC suggestions, we are sadly cancelling this event due to public health concerns for the coronavirus.
Saturday, April 11 at 9:30 am
@ Snow Mountain Ranch
Spring means a flush of birdlife to the Yakima Valley. Come join longtime Audobon guide Andy Stepniewski for a tour of the remarkably diverse birds in the riparian and meadow zones of Snow Mountain Ranch.
We’ll meet in the parking lot of Snow Mountain Ranch. Note the unusual start time of 9:30am!
EARTH DAY INTERPRETIVE WALKS – CANCELLED
CANCELLED – In accordance with state and CDC suggestions, we are sadly cancelling this event due to public health concerns for the coronavirus.
Sunday, April 19, 10am
@ West / Weikel Trailhead of Cowiche Canyon
A local Earth Day tradition, CCC offers a series of learning stations along the Cowiche Canyon trail. Join us to learn about bugs, geology, native plants, stream ecology, and more! It’s a great event for families and to inspire youth enthusiasm for the natural world.
Community Walks are open to all ages. Walkers should wear sturdy shoes and outdoor clothes and come prepared for any weather. Walks typically last 1.5 – 2 hours. Feel free to bring binoculars and cameras. Call (509) 248-5065 with questions or email info@cowichecanyon.org. Directions to all of our trailheads can be found on the Trails Page.
OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS
Other community events for you, family, and friends.
TRAIL TALKS VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION – POSTPONED
POSTPONED – Date TBD
@ Yakima Valley Community Foundation
Are you interested in getting involved with a local outdoor education program? Cowiche Canyon Conservancy is looking for volunteers to support our Trail Talks Field Trip program with school-age children. The best way to learn about this program is to join us for a Volunteer Orientation. You’ll hear how the program works, why it’s meaningful, and how you can get involved. If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP to Cy (eco@cowichecanyon.org).
Who is the orientation for?
For fans of the shrub-steppe and the outdoors who want to share their enthusiasm with youth! This orientation is for anyone considering volunteering for Cowiche Canyon Conservancy’s Trail Talks program. It is also for teachers and educators who want to learn more about the program.
SPRING 2020 HERITAGE GARDEN WORKSHOP – POSTPONED
POSTPONED
Saturday, March 28, 9am to 12pm
@ Yakima Area Arboretum
This is a chance to learn all about native plants — where to find them, how to garden with them, and how they support our amazing native bee populations.
Speakers include:
- Ann Autrey, Heritage Garden Program Assistant, will share the progress of the Heritage Garden Program in Yakima County in 2019. There will be a brief overview of the program as well as a look into the future.
- Cathy Reed, President of the Central Washington Chapter of the Washington State Native Plant Society, will tell us all about the local native plant society, their meetings, and upcoming events for native plant lovers!
- Cy Philbrick, Educational and Community Outreach Coordinator of the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy, will talk about events and hikes scheduled for this spring and ways to get involved with the Conservancy.
- Dr. Bob Gillespie, an entomologist recently retired from Wenatchee Valley College. Bob will take us on a tour of the many different kinds of native pollinators attracted to the native plants in the Wenatchee Valley and Columbia Basin.
