Mission Statement

The Yakima Valley Audubon Society (YVAS), in Yakima, Washington, is dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation of the natural world. Through birding, education and conservation activities in our community, we raise awareness and promote the cause of global environmental protection. YVAS is a chapter of the National Audubon Society and serves its members in the Yakima Valley.

Activities

Programs and Newsletter

Yakima Valley Audubon Society presents interesting, informative and educational programs on a variety of topics related to the environment and nature. For program information visit our Homepage. In addition to our programs, as a member you’ll receive our newsletter, the Calliope Crier, via email. It details news of the Chapter and all our activities including field trips and volunteer opportunities.

Field Trips

Yakima Audubon sponsors field trips and everyone is encouraged to come along – members and non-members, novice and experienced birders alike. Field trips are a great way to get acquainted with other birders, to discover places to go birding in our area, and to learn more about birds and birding. The chapter also sponsors Christmas Bird Counts.

Education and Outreach

Yakima Audubon sponsors classes in partnership with the Yakima Area Arboretum. We also participate in local events such as Arborfest and Migratory Bird Day. We maintain a bird feeding area stocked with birdseed at the Yakima Area Arboretum bird blind. This allows for great viewing at close range.

Learn and Participate

Members maintain the Vredenburg Bluebird Trail, begun in 1982. Each year volunteers clean and repair nest boxes and monitor the boxes throughout nesting season. Providing nesting habitat over the years has helped thousands of these beautiful birds fledge.

Members participate in many activities, including the Christmas Bird Count, Spring Migration Count, and citizen science opportunities such as bird surveys and nest box projects. We partner with organizations such as the Toppenish Wildlife Refuge, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service and Washington State Audubon.

Yakima Audubon has been a steady voice for conservation in Central Washington, including working to preserve spotted owl habitat in the 1980s, working with the U.S. Forest Service to preserve snags for habitat, and supporting shrub-steppe preservation.