2011 Field Trips
All of the CPCOA Field Trips have been completed for 2011. Check back here for information on the 2012 trips in the spring.
If you missed one of these trips or have never been on one, check out the 2011 or 2010 CPCOA Field Trip Reportsto get a better feel for what they are like.
If you have any questions or have ideas on future field trips, please contact
Carl Buchholz at
buchcs@aol.com
September 3, 2011: Bull Trout Spawning Field Trip
Time: 1:00 PM
LEADER and CONTACT: Carl Buchholz buchcs@aol.com or 509-966-4861
The bull trout have always been spawning during Labor Day weekend in Union Creek. This is a unique opportunity to easily observe these large native fish spawning in a small clear stream.
We should be able to watch several pairs a short distance from the Union Creek Trail head. Everybody is welcome to join us. However, we do not want to distract or disturb the trout during their activities, so there will be no skipping of stones or throwing of any object into the water during this field trip. If your dogs like to go in the water, you probably should leave them at home.
Joining us for this field trip will be Laura England and Ashton Bunch from the Bull Trout Task Force in the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. They will be presenting what they call “Bull Trout 101” which goes into detail about the distribution of bull trout in the Yakima basin and why they are now a threatened species/protected by the endangered species act and are illegal to keep if caught when fishing. Their presentation will cover things like how to ID a bull trout and how the public can help by being aware when out recreating along streams and lakes.
Handouts include fishing regulations, a fish ID quiz, fish ID sheets, and also a brochures which go into detail about Bull Trout which attendees can take with them to keep in their tackle box. In addition, they will also have an arts and crafts project to do with kids!
Don't miss out on this year's Bull Trout Field trip. Contact Carl today and let him know you'll be there!
September 24th: Geology Field Trip
Climate Change Extremes: Evidence of an Icy Past and Planning for a Wetter Future
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Bumping Lake Forest Service Campground
LEADER and CONTACT: Carl Buchholz buchcs@aol.com or 509-966-4861
Kelsey Collins (a geologist with the Department of Ecology) and
David Huycke (who is both a cabin owner and a geology instructor at Yakima Valley
Community College) will be leading this field trip.
On this field trip we will observing glacial features created during the last glacial
period in the Bumping Lake area. Kelsey will have geology maps that will help explain
these features. She will also talk about how drastically different our landscape would be,
if there had not been a glacial in the area.
The second part of this field trip will deal with the future needs for water storage and
the proposed expansion of the Bumping Reservoir. If the dam is expanded and the reservoir
is enlarged will the present cabins be under water? Possible environmental impacts to bull
trout and spotted owl habitat will also be discussed and may provide a stop.
Mark your calendars today so you don't miss this field trip!