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26th Annual Get Intimate with the Shrub-Steppe & Yakima River Canyon Bird FestMay 8–10, 2026
Rattlesnakes, sagebrush, and lazuli buntings… oh my!
Join KEEN (Kittitas Environmental Education Network) in May and Discover the Wonders of the Shrub-Steppe!
Join the Kittitas Environmental Education Network (KEEN) for the 27th annual Get Intimate with the Shrub-Steppe (GISS)—a community event celebrating the rare and endangered shrub-steppe habitat of Central Washington.
Immerse yourself in the wild beauty of the Yakima River Canyon! From breathtaking birding field trips to live adult lamprey releases, you’ll experience the intricate connections between land, water, and wildlife. Explore the landscape with expert guides on hikes highlighting wildflowers, raptors, geology, reptiles, and river ecology, or visit educational booths featuring live animals and conservation groups from across the state.
Pre-registration is required for field trips and lectures/presentations. A $25 per person (or $40 for a family of four or more) registration fee covers all events during the weekend. Anyone can attend the hands-on science booths at YCIC on Saturday from 9am-1pm (no pre-registration required for the science booths).
Event Highlights
Friday: Field trips and indoor conservation presentations - Agency & Conservation Organization Staff join for the mini CW Conservation Summit! Try forest bathing and learn about conservation projects in our region!
Friday Night: Social gathering to kick off the weekend with a presentation on Pacific Lamprey re-introduction & live lamprey with members of the Yakama Nation, or for a few lucky early birds, an evening Owl & Snake walk or Bat walk!
Saturday: Expert-led field trips on birding, snakes, geology, wildflowers, presentations & live animals, and more!
Saturday 9AM-1PM HANDS-ON SCIENCE BOOTHS AT YCIC
bones, birds, bats, fish, scat, plants and more!
(No preregistration required to come to YCIC to visit the booths)
Saturday Night: Catered keynote speaker dinner: How Do We 'Get Intimate' with Nature? by Dr. Dan Beck, featuring food by The Red Pickle (additional ticketed event).
Sunday: Mother's Day activities including wildflowers, birding by ear, and more!
Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just discovering the magic of the shrub-steppe, there’s something for everyone—all ages are welcome! Spots for guided trips are limited, so sign up early!
Why Protect the Shrub-Steppe?
This unique landscape is home to incredible biodiversity, including Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons, Bighorn Sheep, Sage Thrashers, and native pollinators. The Yakima River Canyon is an Audubon Important Bird Area, hosting some of the highest densities of raptors and songbirds in the state. Your participation helps support KEEN's environmental education and conservation efforts to protect this fragile ecosystem.
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Event Venue
Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center, Helen McCabe Memorial State Park, State Route 821, Ellensburg, WA 98926, United States
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
