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Common larkspur (delphinium nutallianum) blooming in the canyon.
Image by David Hagen.
Greetings Cowiche Canyon,
Here are many ways to enjoy and learn about our local ecosystem, whether you're interested in butterflies, rocks, birds, unlocking creativity, or simply staying safe during snake season.
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Dear friends of Cowiche Canyon Conservancy,
On Sunday, April 27, we gathered for Cowiche Canyon Rocks, our annual fundraiser and a joyful celebration of Cowiche Canyon Conservancy’s 40th Anniversary. It was more than just an event; it was a reminder of the power and generosity of this community.
As I looked around the tent, I saw longtime supporters who have walked this journey with us from the beginning, former board members, dedicated volunteers, and new faces who are just joining our shared mission. It reminded me of the famous quote by Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
That’s exactly how CCC began—four decades ago, with a small, passionate group of community members determined to protect a special place, Cowiche Canyon. Today, we’ve grown into a regional land trust dedicated to conserving shrub-steppe, providing access to low-impact recreation, and creating opportunities for people of all ages to connect with this unique and fragile landscape.
The lands we care for tell the story of our past and also hold the promise of the future. Our public lands face growing pressures and our work has never felt more urgent or more meaningful. Thanks to your generosity, the funds raised at this event will go directly to shrub-steppe conservation, caring for the trail system, and education that inspires the next generation of environmental stewards.
Looking ahead, I feel hopeful. Together, we can continue to ensure that our unique ecosystem stays protected long after we are gone and that everyone has a chance to experience, learn from, and fall in love with the beauty and wonder of this remarkable place.
From the bottom of my heart—thank you. Thank you for believing in this work, for showing up, and for being part of the CCC story. Here’s to the next 40 years!
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Celisa Hopkins,
Executive Director
| | Call to Artists of All Kinds! | |
Canyon Meeting, by Mary Duke
Hello Artists,
You're invited to participate in a beautiful local exhibit, the ninth annual Images of the Shrub-Steppe at Boxx Gallery. More information and submission info can be found here.
The deadline to enter is August 1, 2025.
About the Exhibit
Images of the Shrub-Steppe is an annual juried art exhibit featuring work inspired by our unique ecosystem, shrub-steppe.
The Exhibit will run from September 6 – 28, 2025 at Boxx Gallery in Tieton, WA.
About the Juror
Kimberly Trowbridge is a visual artist and educator. Trowbridge combines painting, sculpture, language, performance, and site-specific research. She is the Founding Director of the Modern Color Atelier, an online, multi-year painting program through Gage Academy of Art.
You can find more info about the exhibit on our website.
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Mother's Day Wildflower Walk
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Butterfly Walk with David James
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What: Butterfly Walk with David James
When: Saturday, May 24, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Snow Mountain Ranch (2648 Cowiche Mill Rd #2262, Cowiche, WA 98923)
Register here (limited spaces available)
Join us for an opportunity to witness and learn about the amazing variety of butterflies that live here. Local butterfly expert David James and volunteers from the Washington Butterfly Association will guide a family-friendly walk offering opportunities to learn about butterfly identification as well as the remarkable lifecycles and habits of beautiful insects.
Distance: About 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Mostly flat, some uneven ground.
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Nick Zentner
Live at DoodleVines
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image from Nick Zentner
What: Nick Zentner Live at DoodleVines
When: Sunday, June 1, 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Where: DoodleVines Winery & Event Center (2410 Naches Heights Rd, Yakima, WA, 98908)
More info and tickets are here.
Join us for a one-of-a-kind afternoon with Emmy-winning geologist and acclaimed science communicator Nick Zentner at DoodleVines. Known for his energetic storytelling and deep knowledge of the Pacific Northwest’s landscape, Nick will lead an informal presentation on local geology—followed by a live audience Q&A.
Tickets are $10. There will be food and wine to purchase. Partial proceeds will benefit Cowiche Canyon Conservancy.
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Shinrin Yoku Walk with Mary Carpenter
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What: Shinrin Yoku Walk with Mary Carpenter
When: Saturday, June 7, 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Where: Cowiche Canyon West/Weikel Trailhead (531 Weikel Rd Yakima, WA 98908)
Register here (limited spaces available)
Reconnect. Relax. Res(e)t. Enjoy a Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku) experience in our shrub-steppe. Slowly and intentionally reset your nervous system. This guided walk will focus on expanding senses, supporting well-being, and awakening creativity.
Distance: About 1 mile
Difficulty: Mostly flat, some uneven ground.
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Owl Walk & Talk
with Dineen Vineyards
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What: Owl Walk & Talk with Dineen Vineyards
When: June 7, 10:00am to 12:00pm
Where: Dineen Vineyards (2980 Gilbert Rd. Zillah, WA)
Note: this event has a ticket price of $35 (includes a glass of wine); all profits benefit Cowiche Canyon Conservancy.
Register Here (limited spaces available)
Step into the enchanting world of owls on our Owl Walk and Talk in the vineyard!
Led by Bran Romero (Engagement and Outreach Specialist with CCC), this immersive experience will delve into the mysteries of these majestic creatures and discover their vital role in maintaining the balance of our vineyard ecosystem. Gain fascinating insights into owl behavior, their hunting techniques, and their significance in pest control.
Whether you’re an avid bird watcher or simply curious about the natural wonders around us, this walk promises to be an eye-opening adventure!
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This month, we’re saying goodbye to a special member of our team, Megan Whiteside, CCC's Conservation Projects Manager. Through Megan’s leadership, care, and skill, our conservation impacts have grown wider and deeper.
Megan improved the scope and resolution of our monitoring, giving us a better sense of how and where rare and harmful plants grow on our lands. She helped improve our process for assessing the benefits of local land acquisitions. Her grant writing skills funded a number of special projects that will continue to improve our community outreach capacity and land accessibility. Always ready to help, Megan was also an invaluable member of our education team, inventing engaging learning stations while serving as a knowledgeable and fun guide for hundreds of students of all ages.
Megan has a gift for communicating complex, technical information in a way that sparks both understanding and curiosity. Her positivity, sense of humor, and warmth will be deeply missed.
Thank you, Megan, for all your contributions!
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Glenn Nelson, CCC's new Conservation and Recreation Program Manager
We're excited to announce the hire of Glenn Nelson, our new Conservation and Recreation Program Manager. Glenn Nelson brings over a decade of conservation and trail management experience working with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Massachusetts Audubon Society, and Pocono Heritage Land Trust. In addition to coordinating trail crews to build and restore trails, Glenn has applied GIS skills to monitor ecological health, protect ecosystems, and prioritize land acquisitions. Glenn is passionate about connecting people to the outdoors and using practical, on-the-ground solutions to care for wild places. When not clicking his way through GIS map layers, you can find him, binoculars in hand, chasing birds, or playing music.
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Rattlesnakes are out. Hearing or seeing one can cause primal reactions — a heart jump, a cold sweat, a swear word. We want all trail visitors to be safe, comfortable, and prepared for the experience of encountering snakes while on trail. This updated blog offers some advice to help you prepare for, and maybe even enjoy, the experience of encountering a snake.
Rattlesnakes have lived here for millions of years -- a lot longer than we have -- and are profoundly and beautifully adapted to our ecosystem. They deserve our respect, not our aggression.
| | What to Look for on Trails | | |
Purple sage in the Uplands of Cowiche Canyon
This time of year is bursting with colorful flowers and birds. Besides snakes, watch for:
Nutall’s larkspur (delphinium nutallianum) – also known as Uplands larkspur or common larkspur -- is poking delicate flowers above rockfalls and from underneath sagebrush.
Purple sage (salvia dorrii) -- a favorite for a wide range of butterflies and bees and people too -- is just starting to bloom in the Uplands and in the canyon.
Violet green swallows (Tachycineta thalassina) and cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) are swooping in and near the canyon. Both birds are incredible flyers and have white bellies. If they’re flying low or slow enough, look for the iridescent green backs and purple rumps of violet green swallows. Cliff swallows have rust-colored rumps and necks. Also, look for their mud nests built into cliffsides or under the eaves of bridges.
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Donate - We depend on community donations to run our programs and operations.
Volunteer - We depend on community volunteers to support our stewardship, trail maintenance, and education work.
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