Cowiche Canyon Conservancy

08/31/2026

Come experience art inspired by the beauty of our wonderful shrub-steppe at the 10th annual Images of the Shrub-Steppe Exhibition! Featuring work inspired by the shrub-steppe habitat and life in the Yakima Valley, the exhibition will be open from 11am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays at Boxx Gallery from September 5th to September 27th. Meet and support the artists behind the show at the Artists' Reception from 1-3pm on Saturday, September 5.

¡Ven a ver arte inspirado por la belleza de nuestra maravillosa estepa arbustiva en la décima exposición anual Imágenes de la Estepa Arbustiva! Con trabajos inspirados del hábitat y la vida en los arbustos en el valle de Yakima, la exposición estará abierta de 11am a 4pm los sábados y domingos en la Galería Boxx del 5 al 27 de septiembre. Conozca y apoye a los artistas detrás del espectáculo en la Recepción de Artistas de 1-3pm el sábado 5 de septiembre.

Not only will there be plenty to see, but there will be more to hear at a series of talks on Saturdays at the Boxx Gallery. On September 12th, learn about native plants from the Heritage Garden Program, and on September 19th, be inspired by local artists working together to create in the shrub-steppe.

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.cowichecanyon.org/events-calendar/

This show is sponsored by The Warren Horsley Group/Baird Private Wealth Management.

Art credit: Naches Enshrouded by Victoria Grafton.

08/27/2026

Here is the schedule for our fall walks! Event registrations usually open about 1 month prior to the event on our website Events Calendar. All walks are free and open to the public.

¡Aquí está el calendario de nuestras caminatas de otoño! Las inscripciones para los eventos suelen abrir aproximadamente un mes antes de cada evento en nuestro sitio web. Todas las caminatas son gratuitas y están abiertas al público.

https://www.cowichecanyon.org/events-calendar/

08/26/2026

**UPDATE: We were able to coordinate having the trailer removed. Thank you once again to all who helped with the process and offered advice! Snow Mountain Ranch is back to her usual views.

!ATTENTION! We wanted to let all visitors to Snow Mountain Ranch know we are aware of the trailer that was dumped in the parking lot some days ago. We are working with local authorities to resolve the issue, but it has proven more complicated than expected as we search for someone willing to tow it and a place willing to receive it.

This is just one of many surprising responsibilities of land trusts working to preserve native spaces while also being open to the public. Thank you to those who notified us of their concerns; we are always grateful for community members who obviously love the land just as much as we do!

08/20/2026

Volunteers from the Washington Bee Atlas are helping survey native bees of CCC lands!

08/17/2026

If you or someone you know has been wanting to get comfortable outdoors or hiking around Yakima, CCC is hosting a Beginner’s Guide to Cowiche Canyon! Join us for a low-stress introduction to having a safe and enjoyable time outside without needing much gear.

The hike will start at Cowiche Canyon East Trailhead and follow the creek trail before heading up to the canyon rim. With some water and a sturdy pair of shoes, build your confidence and get to know one of the best local spots (if we do say so ourselves). We will have English- and Spanish-speaking guides ready to answer any questions and point out the local life forms of our shrub-steppe habitat!

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beginners-guide-to-cowiche-canyon-tickets-1996913833030?aff=oddtdtcreator
______________________________________________________________________________

¡Si usted o alguien que conoce ha estado queriendo involucrarse en actividades al aire libre o excursionismo alrededor de Yakima, CCC está organizando una Guía para Principiantes a Cowiche Canyon! Ven con nosotros para una introducción de bajo estrés para pasar un tiempo divertido en los senderos sin necesidad de mucho equipaje.

La caminata comenzará en el Inicio este del Cowiche Canyon (Cowiche Canyon East Trailhead) y seguirá el sendero del arroyo antes de subir al borde del cañón. Con unos zapatos resistentes y una botella de agua, aumenta su confianza y conozca uno de los mejores lugares locales (si lo decimos nosotros mismos). ¡Tendremos guías en español e inglés listos para contestar cualquier pregunta y señalar las formas de vida locales en nuestro hábitat de estepa arbustiva!

Regístrate aquí: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beginners-guide-to-cowiche-canyon-tickets-1996913833030?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/13/2026

It’s getting real, folks! Pieces have been chosen and artists notified. Thank you to all those who shared your beautiful work with us this year. Our juror had her work cut out for her with over 140 submissions and limited space in the final show.
Come see the exhibit in September at Boxx Gallery !

This year’s exhibition is sponsored by The Warren Horsely Group/Baird Private Wealth Management.

Check out the events calendar on our website for more details and related activities!

07/27/2026

Just four more days to submit your work and share your love of the shrub-steppe, local wildlife, and life in this beautiful valley we call home!

Attention artists! Calling creatives!
We are still accepting submissions for the "Images of the Shrub-Steppe" exhibition in collaboration with Boxx Gallery (link to submit below). The show features and celebrates visual art inspired by the lands and life of the shrub-steppe, our local ecosystem in the Yakima Valley. Every year this event shares beautiful and unique work reflecting just how special this place we call home is. We would love for you to contribute! Spread the word to your artist friends and come see the show yourself Sep 5-27.
Link to submit work: https://opportunities.wearecreativewest.org/opportunity/17480/CAFE
More info on the show: https://www.cowichecanyon.org/community-events/

07/22/2026

Day 2 of poison ivy education! Compare it to red osier dogwood, another native plant that is sometimes mistaken for poison ivy.

Let us know in the comments if you’ve seen red osier dogwood being using by birds, insects, or other organisms in your area!

07/22/2026

Come learn about poison ivy! While CCC does our best to keep it trimmed back from trails, it is a native plant and important part of the ecosystem.

Learn how to identify it from Bridget and let us know any questions you might have in the comments!

07/21/2026

10 more days to submit work to this year’s show!

Three possible prizes beyond the joy of sharing our local ecosystem’s beauty.

Links to event info and to submit work on our page!