Uplands Capital Campaign

At the heart of a popular trail system just fifteen minutes from downtown Yakima, Washington, 325 acres of endangered shrub steppe habitat was slated for residential development. Cowiche Canyon Conservancy (CCC) used Conservation Alliance grant funding to secure protection for 245 acres, ensuring permanent protection and public access for outdoor recreation.  

The two purchased parcels of land are adjacent to currently-owned CCC properties, adding almost five miles of trails for hikers and cyclists to enjoy. These spaces have been used in record numbers over the past year and the trails have been a place of respite and relief from the challenges of the pandemic. To address the upswell of visitors and to encourage positive experiences on the land, CCC is in the process of updating wayfinding signage and has created a Clean Trails Team and Trail Ambassador program.