KEEN'S 26th Annual Get Intimate with the Shrub-Steppe Theme: Community & Conservation

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 26th 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.

Event Highlights

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!

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 environmental education and conservation efforts to protect this fragile ecosystem.

Click Here for Speakers BIOS

Friday May 9
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SOCIAL HOUR, LAMPREY, FOOD & FUN—DAVE’Y LUMLEY
6:00PM-9:00PM
IRONHORSE TAP ROOM With SWIFTFIRED PIZZA & WHEELY GOOD BOOKS!

TWILIGHT OWL & SNAKE WALK— DEB ESSMAN AND DR. DAN BECK
6:00PM—9:00PM
YAKIMA CANYON INTERPRETIVE CENTER

Register Here

Venue: Various Venues.

Click Here For venue details.