Yakima Valley Audubon Society

UPCOMING PROGRAM - ICE CREAM SOCIAL - EVERYONE WELCOME! Thursday May 28, 7 PM, Yakima Arboretum for a presentation by Megan Weeber:

From Soil to Songbirds: Building Life in Your Yard

Healthy gardens start underground: in a living soil food web of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other organisms that feed plants and, ultimately, the insects and birds that visit our yards. In this talk, soil health consultant and microbe farmer Megan will share how simple changes—like using inoculum‑grade compost, disturbing soil less, and planting more natives—can transform compacted, chemical‑dependent yards into resilient habitat.

BONUS! Live hawk viewing with tonight's program!

Licensed falconers Clifford and Janna Kellogg will bring a Harris's Hawk and an American Kestrel for side-by-side comparison.

Join us April 26, 2026 at 7 PM at the Yakima Arboretum for
"Tricks to Identifying and Understanding Yakima County Raptors" with Deb Essman.

Yakima County is home to 18 species of diurnal raptors--
some are common year-round residents, some are reliable
migrants, and a couple are rare but not impossible to find
here!

These birds of prey are fascinating, and each has its own
special way of hunting, flying and nesting. This program
shares several intriguing facts about each species along
with field identification tips that will make distinguishing
each species a lot easier.

Cooper's Hawk or Sharp-shinned Hawk? Golden Eagle or
immature Bald Eagle? Learn some simple tips to tell them
apart and gain new appreciation for all their amazing skills
and beauty (yes, even the Turkey Vulture is beautiful). This will be interactive as members will be able
to share their expertise and experiences.

Deb has worn many hats working in the
conservation world as a raptor rehabilitator for
almost a decade in California, an ornithology
teacher at a community college, a veterinary
technician and eagle release coordinator at
Seattle’s Woodland Park, and a Game Warden
for the Washington State Department of Fish &
Wildlife (WDFW), including a couple years as a
Detective in the Special Investigative Unit.

She has lived in Kittitas County for 36 years,
and diligently birds locally, with a Kittitas County
Life List at 268 species. She has traveled
extensively to bird and hunt. She cares deeply
about getting kids into the outdoors and
inspiring them to learn about our natural world.

Photos courtesy of Deb Essman.