News & Updates
UPDATE:
FOR YOUR PROTECTION, SNOW MOUNTAIN RANCH IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO FIRE DAMAGE.
We will keep you posted on the Cowiche Mountain fire as soon as possible. Your thoughts and support for CCC and area residents is appreciated.
OCTOBER:
Friday & Saturday, October 22 & 23: Washington State Trails Coalition will be holding a Trails Conference in Tacoma. For more information click here.
SEPTEMBER:
AUGUST:
Monday, August 2nd: Deadline for the Juried Art Exhibit. Entries must be postmarked August 2nd by 5:00 pm in order for consideration. For more information, click on the ART EXHIBIT to your left.
Sunday, August 15th: CCC Presents a Summer Concert Fundraiser featuring Noel Hill, Irish Concertina Player. Join us at 7:00 pm at the Seasons. Tickets are $25 general admission and $15 for children 12 and under. For more information call us at 509-248-5065. To learn more about Noel Hill, click here.
JULY:
Summer newsletter coming this July....... SUMMER NEWSLETTER IS HERE
Saturday & Sunday, July 10th & 11th: Yakima Folklife Festival
JUNE:
Wednesday, June 16th: CCC at New Leaders of Yakima Summer Social, 5:30 pm at the Tasting Room of Yakima, Naches Heights
MAY:
Rattlesnakes: Warmer temperatures increase your chance of spotting a rattlesnake while hiking. Don't let your fear of snakes keep you from enjoying the great outdoors. Follow these simple steps to help keep you, your family and pets safe during the warmer months. Wear good hiking boots and loose fitting pants, stay on established trails, keep dogs leashed, don't let children run ahead, warn children of the potential risks of rattlesnakes (most bites occur from improper handling or harassment; rattlesnakes are quite docile and strike only when startled, or provoked), and always use caution and watch where you are walking. Remembering these tips can help you to have a safe and fun summer!
Saturday, May 1st: Cowiche Canyon walk for families with toddlers, led by Katrina Strathmann Enjoy getting out and admiring the season's wild flowers, and want to do it with young children? Join us for a non-linear hike down Cowiche Canyon to view native plants, Cowiche Creek, and the Canyon's geology. We will be walking at a toddler's pace! Meet at 9:30 am at the Weikel Road parking lot (west end of Cowiche Canyon). Contact Katrina Strathmann for more info @ katstrathmann@gmail.com or 509-653-1375 (Toddler Walk in Cowiche Canyon)
Saturday, May 15th: VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY. Scotch Thistle pull along the irrigation ditch at Snow Mountain Ranch from 11:00-12:30. Please bring water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, gloves (if you have them) and elbow grease. Meet at the Snow Mountain Ranch Parking lot. For more info and to participate PLEASE RSVP to Sara Cate at 509-248-4382. Hope to see you there!
Saturday, May 15th: Kiddin' Around program takes to the Canyon!
APRIL:
Sunday, April 11th "Scotch Thistle Removal" at Snow Mountain Ranch. From 10:30 - 12:30. Please RSVP via email to Sara Cate.
Wednesday, April 14th: CCC would like to share an exciting email from Dept of Fish and Wildlife Fish Program: Hello Everyone,
Very good news today. We surveyed Cowiche Creek along Snow Mtn Ranch, and observed 10 steelhead redds (egg nests) and 3 adult steelhead. The redds were found from the lower boundary of the ranch up to the WDFW property bridge crossing over to the S.F. Cowiche feed site.
There will be another survey further up the S.F. Cowiche drainage this Thursday.
Stay tuned!
Cheers.....Eric
This is a great story about the purchase of Snow Mountain Ranch and removal of old fish barriers that will now allow steelhead to regain old habitat that had been blocked. Three cheers for the return of the steelhead!
Thursday, April 15th Helen Thayer; National Geographic "Great Explorer", Author, Fearless Hiker, and Intrepid Adventurer to give a lecture at the Capitol Theatre on April 15th at 7:00 pm. A colaboration between the Cascadians and the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy with proceeds benefiting local projects as well as Helen's "Adventure Classroom" for kids. (Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by contacting the Capitol Theatre) "Speaker offers walk on the wild side"
For a list of Cowiche Canyon Rocks! 25th Anniversary Events go here.
MARCH:
Monday, March 15th: Would you like to Volunteer with the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy? We have several upcoming opportunities for you to help us out! See the list below and the CCC Calendar.
Saturday, March 27th "Tree Chipping"at Rocky Top Road & Summitview From 8 am - 5 pm. For more information please contact Steve Weise.
Monday, March 29th Spraying at Snow Mountain Ranch. The Cowiche Canyon Conservancy is committed to a long term project to restore native shrub-steppe floodplain habitat on low "fields" at Snow Mtn. Ranch. In 2009 CCC began with the west field south of Cowiche Creek. In the spring of 2010 we are starting work on ALL remaining fields south of Cowiche Creek.
Early work must focus on control of non-native plant species including diffuse knapweed, Russian thistle, Scotch thistle, and alfalfa. Activities involved with this project will include both mechanical and chemical site preparation for future planting: mowing, herbicide spraying, plowing, etc.
The only trail which goes directly through fields under restoration is the Riparian Trail-East. Those with sensitivity to herbicides may wish to avoid this trail. It is difficult for the CCC to anticipate or immediately post the time and dates of herbicide treatments for they are dependent upon wind, temperature, moisture, equipment mobilization, etc. The CCC will do it's best to keep you informed. Please check our website often for updates.
NEWS:
Cowiche Canyon Juried Art Exhibit
Deadline: August 2, 2010
Project: Open to artists working in sculpture, drawing, jewelry, potter, fine-art prints, fiber arts, painting, and mixed media. No photography will be accepted. Only original work, designed and executed by the exhibiting artist in the past three years is eligible for entry. Pieces previously exhibited in the Peggy Lewis Gallery (formerly the Allied Arts Gallery) will not be accepted. Work must reflect the landscape and environment of the 2,000 acre Cowiche Canyon Conservancy. Juror: Gail Gibson, owner of the G. Gibson Gallery in Seattle, WA. The gallery exhibits national and international artists in painting, sculpture, and fine art photography.
Fees: Maximum of 3 pieces per artist/$15 per peice for current Allied Arts and/or Cowiche Canyon Conservancy Members, $20 per piece for non-members.
Application & Proposal Guidelines: Prospectus/application available May in the Allied Arts Office.
Contact: For more information call 509-966-0930
Connections Coalition: Cowiche Canyon Conservancy is a lead organization of the Connections Coalition, a group of individuals and organizations with a mission to improve health, quality of life and economic development in the Yakima Valley through the promotion and improvement of trails, pathways and bike routes, as well as their geographic & cultural connection. For more information, call or email CCC.
Staff News: Elizabeth (Betsy) Bloomfield was named as our permanent Executive Director (half-time) and began mid-December, 2009. Bloomfield has an extensive background in conservation and stewardship work. Assisting Bloomfield is Colleda Dolinski who began working part-time at CCC in October. Click here for more information.