Join the party at Cowiche Canyon Conservancy

This editorial appears in the April 16, 2010, Yakima Herald-Republic.

Some say the best things in life are free. Of course, others say there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Somewhere between these two axioms are the wide, wonderful vistas of the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy, which for 25 years has been a gift to this community.

Plenty of money and volunteer hours have gone into what has grown to 2,000 acres and 14 miles of trails, but those who made it happen share it freely with the rest of us. All they ask is that we treat the land with respect so the area's natural wonders are preserved for generations to come.

This weekend is essentially a birthday party, dubbed "Cowiche Canyon Rocks!" You can help celebrate by putting on your hiking boots and taking a guided walk Sunday. Get to the Weikel Road entrance (off Summitview Drive) at 12:45 p.m. There's no cost, but plenty of free information from geologist David Huycke; birding author Andy Stepniewski; David Hagen, whose focus will be on wildflowers blooming in the canyon; and butterfly expert David James, all of whom will lead the hikes. (James will discuss Lucia Azure, a rare butterfly that lays its eggs on the red-osier dogwoods that line Cowiche Creek. How cool is that? The Grand Canyon may be bigger, but we've got the Lucia Azure!

Of course, you don't have to break a sweat to enjoy the beauty of the canyon. If you'd rather sip wine you can take a peek at the canyon through the photo lens of David Hagen, whose work will be on display through April 30 at The Tasting Room Yakima at Wilridge Winery. Hagen's beautiful photographs should inspire appreciation for the hills around us. You can also see his work and learn more about the conservancy's work at its Web site, www.cowichecanyon.org.

The conservancy's success reflects well on Yakima. Everyone seems to know that gang violence is on the rise here. Let's make sure they also know that we have some great people who are working to make things better. We have people who saw the potential when the Burlington Northern Railroad was abandoning a three-mile stretch of track that for decades had served fruit warehouses in Cowiche and Tieton. Their diligence paid off for the rest of us.

It's appropriate to recognize the efforts of these volunteers and private organizations in this era of diminishing public money. As cities and counties shed parks, we can be grateful that far-sighted people took a chance to preserve the natural heritage of our area.

So celebrate the conservancy this weekend. Better yet, plan to celebrate it throughout the coming year as the seasons change. Invite your friends and family to come enjoy it, too. And keep watching to see what the conservancy folks have planned next.

Right now, they are working to restore the native grasses on Snow Mountain Ranch, which was purchased in 2005. They also are working with other groups on the proposed 80-mile William O. Douglas trail, which would link Yakima with Mount Rainier, following the ancient Yakama-Cowlitz Pass Indian Trail.

The weather is supposed to be nice Sunday. So get out there and enjoy it.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.