Local Garden Clubs & Societies
The Yakima Area Arboretum is home to a number of garden clubs and societies who share the arboretum’s educational mission. These groups are known as affiliated member partners.
Affiliated members help care for the Arboretum’s many display gardens, teach classes, volunteer at events, and help support it financially. The Arboretum in turn supports its affiliated members by offering a location for groups to conduct club business, acts as a point of club contact, and wherever possible uses its many resources to promote club activities to the community.
Central Washington Beekeepers Association
Phil Scott, President
Email:
Phone: 509-829-4937
Website: www.yakimabees.org
Facebook
Notes: The CWBA meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the WSU Extension Office in Union Gap. Located in the Yakima County Resource Center at 2403 So. 18th St., Union Gap. Behind TJ Maxx. 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.
Master Gardener Foundation of Yakima County
Email: Facebook
Website: https://extension.wsu.edu/yakima/home-garden/master-gardeners/
Notes: Most Master Gardener events and classes are held at the MG Demonstration Garden located at the Ahtanum Youth Park, 1000 Ahtanum Road, Union Gap (by the red barn).
Washington Native Plant Society: Central Washington Chapter
Cathy Reed, Chair
Email:
Website: www.wnps.org/chapter_info/central_washington/home.html
Notes: Chapter meetings are held on the first Monday of each month, January through March and October through December. The meeting site is either the Yakima Area Arboretum or the Hal Holmes Community Center, 207 N. Ruby in Ellensburg. Several local fieldtrips are also offered during the summer.
Yakima Valley Audubon Society
Scott Downes, President
Email:
Website: www.yakimaaudubon.org/
Notes: Dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation of the natural environment through birding, education and conservation. Meetings are open to the public on the fourth Thursday of January, February, March, April, May, August, September, and October at 7 PM at the Yakima Area Arboretum. Membership fees are $25/year or $15/year for seniors. The Annual Meeting is held the first Thursday of December at 6 PM.
Yakima Valley Bonsai Society (YVBS)
Miguel Sanchez, President
Phone: (509) 952-5351
Robert Beath, Vice President
Phone:(509) 494-3379
Lani Black, Secretary
Phone: (509) 594-6565
Angel Garcia, Treasurer
Phone:(509) 845-5766
Website: www.yakimabs.weebly.com
Instagram: yakimavalleybonsai
Facebook: @yakimabonsai
Notes: The Yakima Valley Bonsai Society meets on the last Wednesday of the month, except for November, December and January at the Yakima Area Arboretum from 6:30-9:00 pm. All are welcome and encouraged to bring a tree. We work on our trees at the meeting, take questions, and assist those that are just starting their bonsai journey. Annual dues are $25 single, $35 couple. Please join us!
Yakima Valley Iris Society (YVIS) 
Steve Hill, President
Phone: (509) 480-1051
Website: www.yvirissociety.org
Notes: The Yakima Valley Iris Society’s encourages the cultivation of the genus iris. All are welcome to join. Annual dues are $10.
Yakima Valley Orchid Society
Donna Fearon, Co-president
Phone: (509) 961-9282
Email:
Notes: Meets on the second Wednesday of each month except for July at either a member’s home or at the Yakima Area Arboretum from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Meetings consist of a general business section followed by a discussion on growing orchids, then show and tell. The YVOS hosts an annual orchid show and sale, and various educational programs. Their mission is to educate, promote, share interest in and knowledge of orchids with the public.
Yakima Valley Mushroom Society
Veronica MacDougall, President
Phone: (509) 953-2354
Email:
Notes: Meets on the third Monday of February, March, April, May, September and October at the Selah Heights Grange located at 2040 McGonagle Rd, Selah, WA 98942. Doors open at 6:30pm and the meeting starts at 7:00pm. Meetings typically consist of a presentation on mushrooms, a social gathering or announcements of upcoming events. The purpose of the YVMS is to promote the understanding, enjoyment, cultivation, hunting, and identification of mushrooms and other fungi.