Cowiche Canyon Conservancy

10/16/2026

It’s been a full week of outdoor education for CCC! Last Saturday, folks came out for our Fall Colors in the Canyon activity, and yesterday we hosted 2nd graders and chaperones from Marcus Whitman Elementary for a field trip at Snow Mountain Ranch.
We love sharing about our native ecosystems and couldn’t do it without our team of awesome volunteers!

If you want to join the learning, check out our Events Calendar (https://www.cowichecanyon.org/events-calendar-for-cowiche-canyon-conservancy/) for upcoming chances to learn about the shrub-steppe!

On Saturday, we have a Spanish-language walk through the canyon, there are a few spots left for our Night Dwellers walk at Snow Mountain Ranch the week of Halloween, and on Nov 7 we’re back in Cowiche Canyon to learn about lichens from a local expert!

10/15/2026

Última oportunidad de inscribirse para nuestra Caminata en español: Conozca al Cañón Cowiche! ¡Es este sábado 17 de octubre de 9-11a y las inscripciones se van rápido, así que asegúrate de agarrar un lugar mientras puedas! ¡Traiga a su familia y sus amigos para aprender sobre el hermoso hábitat de estepa arbustiva! Regístrate aquí: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caminata-en-espanol-conozca-al-canon-cowiche-tickets-2002302209810?
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Last chance to sign up for our Spanish Walk: Get to Know Cowiche Canyon! It's this Saturday, October 17th from 9-11a, and sign-ups are going fast, so make sure to grab a spot while you can! Bring your family and friends to learn about the beautiful shrub-steppe habitat! Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caminata-en-espanol-conozca-al-canon-cowiche-tickets-2002302209810?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/05/2026

¡Si usted o alguien que conoce ha estado queriendo involucrarse en actividades al aire libre o excursionismo alrededor de Yakima, CCC está organizando una caminata en español para conocer al Cañón Cowiche! Ven con nosotros para una introducción de bajo estrés para aprender sobre la historia, biología y un pequeño vistazo a los senderos que ofrece el cañón.

La caminata comenzará en el Inicio Este del Cañón Cowiche (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. Aprenderemos mucha información sobre la estepa arbustiva que domina los senderos de las propiedades de CCC. ¡El personal de CCC estará presente durante esta caminata y estará encantado de contestar cualquier pregunta que tengas o de ofrecer curiosidades!

Regístrate aquí: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caminata-en-espanol-conozca-al-canon-cowiche-tickets-2002302209810

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If you or someone you know has been wanting to get comfortable outdoors or hiking around Yakima in a new way, CCC is organizing a Spanish Walk: Get to know Cowiche Canyon! Come with us for a low stress introduction to learn about history, biology and get a little glimpse into the trails the canyon offers.

The trek will begin at Cowiche Canyon East Trailhead and follow the main 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. We will learn a lot of information about the shrub steppe that dominates the trails of our different properties. CCC staff will be present during this hike and will be happy to answer any questions you have or offer some fun facts along the way!

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caminata-en-espanol-conozca-al-canon-cowiche-tickets-2002302209810

10/05/2026

Found Cell Phone in Cowiche Canyon!
If you lost a phone while visiting Cowiche Canyon over the weekend, we would love to get it back to you!
If you think it might be yours, send us a private message with a description of the phone or call (509) 248-5065.

Send a message to learn more

09/27/2026

October 10 from 10am-12pm, bring the family out for Colors in the Canyon! We will have a craft for kids, learning stations, and free fun for all.

Register at the link in the comments or on our website, so we know how many to plan for, and hope to see everyone there!

09/24/2026

¡Si quieres aprender sobre el hábitat de la estepa arbustiva en español este fin de semana, regístrate para nuestra Caminata en español: Conozca a Snow Mountain Ranch antes de que sea demasiado tarde! Va a ser este sábado 26 de septiembre de las 9-11 de la mañana. ¡Usa el enlace para inscribirte!

If you want to learn about the Shrub-steppe habitat in Spanish this weekend, sign up for our Spanish Walk: Get to know Snow Mountain Ranch before it’s too late! It’s happening this Saturday, September 26th from 9-11am. Use the link below to register!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caminata-en-espanol-conozca-a-snow-mountain-ranch-tickets-1998991305807

¡Se pueden encontrar árboles álamo a lado del arroyo que corre entre medio de nuestra zona ribereña!

Cottonwood trees can be found along our Riparian area right next to the creek!

¡Álamo temblones agarran su nombre debido a la manera de que tiemblan mientras pasan los vientos!

Aspen trees are nicknamed “quaking aspens” due to the way their leaves shake in the wind!

Escucha a algunas de nuestras aves que dicen que Snow Mountain Ranch es su casa. ¡Come yo lo escucho, tenemos un mirlo primavera, arrendajo de california, pájaro carpintero norteño, y un reinita de rabadilla amarilla!

Listen to some of the different birds that call Snow Mountain Ranch home. From what I hear, it sounds like we had an American Robin, California Scrub-Jay, Northern Flicker, and a Yellow-rumped Warbler!

¡Pasto de trigo bluebunch es una fuente de alimentación para diferentes animales en la estepa arbustiva!

Bluebunch wheatgrass is a common source of food for different animals in the shrub-steppe!

¡Arbusto amargo antílope es un arbusto leñoso que domina este hábitat!

Antelope bitterbrush is a woody shrub that dominates this habitat!

¡Chamisa es un arbusto de floración tardía que está proveyendo nutrientes para polinizadores alrededor de la propiedad!

Rabbitbrush is a late-blooming shrub that is helping provide some nutrients for pollinators around the property!

¡Centeno salvaje gigante fue uno de los únicos pastos que pudo crecer aquí después de que un incendio ocurrió en 2010!

Great Basin Wildrye was one of the only grasses that was a

09/23/2026

Mountain lion spotted!
One of our neighbors in the west end of Cowiche Canyon shared a video of a mountain lion heading into the canyon early Monday morning. This, along with the report of a mountain lion in Yakima early Tuesday, is a great reminder that mountain lions live here too!

Things to keep in mind:
Mountain lions are a natural part of a healthy ecosystem.
When they are seen in an area, it is important to keep small children and pets in sight and under control, especially from dusk to dawn.
When hiking in mountain lion country, stay in groups and make lots of noise. If sighted, make yourself appear large by waving hiking poles or opening your jacket.
Mountain lion attacks on humans are incredibly rare.

Great information can be found on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website and sightings can be reported to 877-933-9847
https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/puma-concolor
https://www.applevalleynewsnow.com/news/yakima-police-warn-of-cougar-sighting-in-town/article_f9f9a857-02ce-4050-880f-e2b784133483.html
https://www.wta.org/go-outside/trail-smarts/how-to/hike-safely-in-cougar-country
Video credit: Brittaney Leslie

09/21/2026

DEADLINE EXTENDED. Some folks got the message a little late in the two week window for our photo contest, so we are extending by one week!

Submit your photos for our "Cowiche Critters Calendar Contest" here:
https://form.jotform.com/262295580777168

Thanks to all who have already submitted. Reminder: limit of three submissions per person.
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PLAZO EXTENDIDO. Algunas personas recibieron el mensaje un poco tarde durante el período de dos semanas de nuestro concurso de fotografía, ¡así que lo extenderemos una semana más!
Envíe sus fotos para nuestro "Cowiche Critters Calendar Contest" aquí:

https://form.jotform.com/262295580777168

Gracias a todos los que ya han enviado sus fotos.
Recordatorio: el límite es de tres fotografías por persona.

09/18/2026

Ven a conocer sobre la historia, biología y un pequeño vistazo a los senderos que ofrece Snow Mountain Ranch! Empezaremos en el estacionamiento y nos iremos por los senderos hablando un poco sobre la vida animal y vegetal que están presente en el área y también como los fenómenos geológicos crearon este hábitat. Sobre todo, aprenderemos mucha información sobre la estepa arbustiva que domina los senderos de las propiedades de Cowiche Canyon Conservancy. El personal de CCC estará presente durante esta caminata y estará encantado de contestar cualquier pregunta que tengas o de ofrecer curiosidades. ¡Asegúrate de que traigas suficiente agua para tomar y zapatos cómodos y resistentes para caminar por los senderos!

Regístrate Aquí: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caminata-en-espanol-conozca-a-snow-mountain-ranch-tickets-1998991305807

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Come and learn about the history, biology and a little glimpse of the trails that Snow Mountain Ranch offers! We will start in the parking lot and go down the trails talking a little about the animal and plant life that are present in the area and also how geological phenomena created this habitat. Above all, we will learn a lot about the shrub steppe that dominates the trails of the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy properties. CCC staff will be there and will be happy to answer any questions you may have or offer up some fun facts! Make sure you bring enough water to drink and comfortable, sturdy shoes to walk on the trails!

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caminata-en-espanol-conozca-a-snow-mountain-ranch-tickets-1998991305807

09/17/2026

CCC staff and a few volunteers cleared our east canyon trailhead area of kochia that had gotten out of control. It was a fortuitous morning, with the ground soft from recent rain and most of the w**d not yet seeded out. Huge shout out to Yakima Waste Systems Inc., who happened to pull up at the site and were able to take the 9-10 full bags off our hands.