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.
POLLINATORS: A HERO’S LIFE
A collaboration of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Cowiche Canyon Conservancy and friends celebrating the work and lives of pollinators in our midst.
CALL TO ARTISTS!
CCC and Yakima Symphony Orchestra present Pollinators: A Hero’s Life — an exhibit celebrating the heroic lives of pollinators. We are currently seeking submissions in the following mediums: drawing, printmaking, fiber art, painting, photography and mixed media.
Deadline for entries: January 15, 2019
Pollinators fertilize flowers by moving pollen from the male part (anther) of a flower to the female part (stigma). Pollination results in seeds and fruits and the next generation of plants. Bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds and bats are some of the pollinators that carry pollen from one plant to another as they collect nectar. These heroic pollinators play an extremely important role in our food supply, local economy and ecosystem.
MUSIC & MONARCHS BUTTERFLY RELEASE PARTY
Sunday, September 9 | 2–4pm
Cowiche Creek
Brewing Company
514 Thompson Road
Cowiche
This event features the live music of Australian Guitarist and Didgeridoo Player Blake Noble and the release of newly emerged Monarch butterflies into the wild. We are celebrating the local work by Dr. David James and CCC volunteers to aid in the conservation of the Monarch, a species in decline. Cowiche Canyon Conservancy (CCC) partners with Dr. James on this project, working with volunteer citizen scientists to rear Monarchs from egg or caterpillar to adult and then tag the adult butterflies with a small tag containing a contact email address and a unique ID number. This program helps provide much needed data on the fall migration of the Monarch in the Pacific Northwest. Some of the Monarchs released at this event will likely join overwintering colonies along the California coast. In 2016, one of the Monarchs raised by CCC volunteers was spotted in Morro Bay, California, a coastal town 792 miles south of Yakima.
Tickets are $10. Available at the door or purchase through Brown Paper Tickets.
Kids 12 and under are free with an adult.
Picnic style seating.
Bring lawn chairs or a blanket.
Proceeds from the event go to support the conservation work of Cowiche Canyon Conservancy.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY WALKS
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.
Saturday, October 20 | 10am to noon
Fall Colors Walk
Snow Mountain Ranch
Experience the gorgeous colors of the changing seasons at our annual Fall Colors Walks. Walks and hikes of varying lengths are available. Trained guides will lead you around the Snow Mountain Ranch trail system. Walks are family friendly and geared to all ages and abilities. There is no charge to participate. Meet in the parking lot at the check-in station at 10 am. Volunteers will be available to help with trail selection. Wear sturdy shoes and layers of outdoor clothing for variable weather. Bring sunscreen, water, binoculars, and a camera.
Meet in the Snow Mountain Ranch parking lot.
Photos: David Hagen
WINTER LECTURE SERIES
Check back for the 2019 schedule.
COWICHE CANYON ROCKS!
EARTH DAY
Saturday, April 20, 2019