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.
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.
NATURE’S STORYTELLERS LIVE READING EVENT
Wednesday, February 19, 7pm
@ Antolin Cellars (14 North Front St. Yakima, WA)
Join us at Antolin Cellars for our first ever Nature’s Storytellers live reading event. The evening will feature a variety of performances — prose and poetry — from writing contest winners and honorable mentions. The evening is family-friendly. So grab a glass of wine (or juice) and enjoy stories inspired by our local surroundings and non-human neighbors.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY WALKS
Our Community Walks are family friendly and educational. Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming walks in 2019.
UPLANDS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PROPERTY TOURS
Saturday, February 29 at 10 am
Saturday, March 14, 10am
Friday, March 20, 3pm
@ 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 meet at Scenic parking lot, and will be about an hour long.
BIRDING TOUR AT SNOW MOUNTAIN RANCH
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!
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.
WINTER LECTURE SERIES
Our Winter Lecture Series explores scientific concepts and phenomena related to the shrub-steppe. All the lectures are open to the public and free of charge.
SEAN TAIT: THE INTELLIGENCE OF TREES
Tuesday, February 11, 7pm
Yakima Valley College – Glenn Anthon Hall, Rm 215
Local arborist Sean Tait will make the case for a new understanding of tree intelligence. Based on recent scientific discoveries and his own personal experience, Sean will describe his own path toward a deeper understanding of how trees talk, share, learn, make decisions, and even remember. Join us to deepen your appreciation for how trees sense the world.
About Sean Tait
Sean is the owner of Leaf on the Wind Arboriculture
KRISTINA ERNEST: ROAD DEATH AND ROAD LIFE: HOW WILDLIFE PASSAGES CONNECT HABITAT AND SAVE LIVES
Tuesday, March 10, 7pm
Yakima Valley College – Glenn Anthon Hall
Kristina Ernest will address how road infrastructure affects ecology in Washington state. She will share some of her current research about the impacts of Highway 90. What do the recent wildlife bridges mean for habitat connectivity?
About Kristina Ernest
Kristina is a professor of Biology at Central Washington University. She studies population and community ecology with a particular interest in community structure, plant-herbivore interactions, and tropical biology. She is currently investigating ecological connectivity of pika populations in the central Washington Cascades across Interstate 90.
