Garden Clubs & Societies
The Yakima Area Arboretum proudly hosts a variety of garden clubs and plant societies that share in our mission to educate and inspire people about the natural world. These groups, known as affiliated member partners, play a vital role in the life of the Arboretum.
Many of these organizations hold their monthly meetings and exhibits at the Arboretum, with the Arboretum serving as a central point of contact for club members and helping to promote their activities whenever possible. Affiliated members also contribute their time and expertise by caring for display gardens, teaching classes, and volunteering at events throughout the year.
Central Washington Beekeepers Association
Phil Scott, President
Email:
Website: www.yakimabees.org
Facebook
Meetings: Meets the first Tuesday of every month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Yakima Area Arboretum, except for July when they have a picnic at a member’s house. Interested members of the public are encouraged to attend. The CWBA’s working Apiary is located on the Arboretum’s grounds just north of the caretaker residence.
The Central Washington Beekeepers Association is a non-profit organization established to foster closer relations between area beekeepers, to share ideas and experiences, to improve beekeeping methods, to keep up with current issues affecting honey bees in our area, to educate the general public on “all things honey bee” and to encourage and assist anyone desiring to enter the beekeeping community in doing so
Master Gardener Foundation of Yakima County
Email:
Phone: (509) 574-1604
Facebook
Website: https://yakima.mastergardenerfoundation.org/home-2/
Meetings: Most Master Gardener events, trainings, and classes are held at the MG Demonstration Garden located at the Ahtanum Youth Park, 1000 Ahtanum Road, Union Gap (by the red barn).
The Yakima County Master Gardeners are 120+ trained volunteers who support local gardeners through plant clinics, classes, youth programs, and writing. They grow produce for food banks and maintain a Seed Library in their Heirloom Garden, preserving and sharing plant varieties suited to the Yakima Valley’s climate.
Washington Native Plant Society: Central Washington Chapter
Cathy Reed, Chair
Email:
Website: https://www.wnps.org/central-washington
Meetings: The Central Washington Chapter regularly hosts plant ID classes at the Yakima Area Arboretum. Date and times will be posted on the Yakima Area Arboretum’s Weekly Leaf E-Newsletter.
The Native Plant Society offers a wide range of opportunities for members to explore, learn about, and help conserve Washington’s native flora. Activities include field trips, seminars, and study weekends in diverse ecosystems. Members can take part in hands-on workshops covering topics like identification, landscaping, and propagation.
Yakima Valley Audubon Society
Sarah Shippen, President
Email:
Website: www.yakimaaudubon.org/
Meetings: Meetings are open to the public on the fourth Thursday of January, February, March, April, May, August, September, and October at the Yakima Area Arboretum. Meeting begins at 7:00 pm.
The Yakima Valley Audubon Society is dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation of the natural world. Through birding, education, and conservation activities in our community, they raise awareness and promote the cause of global environmental protection.
Yakima Valley Mushroom Society
Veronica MacDougall, President
Phone: (509) 953-2354
Email:
Website: https://yvms.org/
Meetings: Third Monday of the month (unless otherwise noted) in February, March, April, May, September, and October. Most meetings are held at the Yakima Area Arboretum.. Doors open at 6:30 pm for networking and mushroom ID. Meeting begins at 7:00 pm.
The Yakima Valley Mushroom Society (YVMS) promotes the appreciation, identification, and cultivation of mushrooms and fungi. Through meetings, classes, field trips, and community events, members from across the Yakima Valley and beyond gather to learn, share finds, and explore the fascinating world of fungi.
Yakima Valley Bonsai Society
Mike Sanchez, President
Phone: (509) 952-5351
Email: https://yvbonsai.square.site/
Meetings: Every second Tuesday of the month from March to October, from 6pm to 8pm at the Yakima Area Arboretum.
The Yakima Valley Bonsai Society (YVBS) welcomes bonsai artists and enthusiasts of all levels from across the Pacific Northwest. Their mission is to promote and share the art of bonsai through workshops, demonstrations, and member-led learning. Join YVBS to grow your skills, connect with others, and display your trees at exhibitions throughout the year.
