Thank you to Yakima Conservation District for welcoming SCC staff, commissioners, and partners for an insightful tour ahead of last week's Commission meeting! We're grateful for the opportunity to see the district's impactful work firsthand. Some of the things we learned about included:

🌿Yakima CD Overview:

We started the day by learning about a $2.5 million investment that helped convert 7,500 acres of irrigated farmland to efficient drip irrigation, saving water and supporting producers. We also explored the district's forest health program, which uses chipping and thinning to reduce wildfire risks and save on fire response costs. A big highlight was the Heritage Garden program, which features native, low-maintenance plants that save 160,000+ gallons of water annually.

🐮 Virtual Fencing:

Producer Jack Field showed ushow virtual fence collars are transforming livestock management. TheseGPS-enabled collars help guide cattle movement for better grazing, lowerstress, and reduced impact on sensitive areas—all while supporting year-roundgrazing.

🐟 Fish Recovery in Wenas Creek:

We saw how a 10-year, $3.5million project restored fish passage in Wenas Creek. With support from tribal and state partners, the project has installed screens and bypasses to improve fish migration, protect cultural resources, and support local farms.

💧 Watershed Strategy:

We discussed the big-picture challenges of watershed management, including balancing conservation priorities, building trust with agricultural partners, and adapting to change.

👩🏽‍🌾 Conservation Easements:

We explored how conservation easements protect working lands and natural resources through strategic investments in floodplain reconnection, irrigation, and air quality, benefiting local families, wildlife, and future generations.

🙏 Thank you again to Yakima Conservation District for hosting us and sharing your innovative land, water, and community stewardship approaches. Your work is a model for conservation partnerships across Washington!

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