Colvin Ranch, a Tenino-based family-owned cattle ranch founded in 1854, is hosting a celebration marking a milestone for the ranch’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) easement on Sunday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to a news release.
“This year, we’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of our conservation easement, and it’s going to be a fun day,” Jennifer Colvin stated in the release.
A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and conservation agency limiting a land’s use to protect natural, agricultural and historic resources.
Since obtaining the conservation easement in 2005 with the goal of preserving native prairie land and keeping the ranch agriculturally viable, 1,900 trees have been planted at Colvin Ranch to reduce erosion on Scatter Creek, according to the ranch’s website. Additionally, plant diversity at the ranch has increased by 20% with 160 different plant species now, and an increase in Mazama pocket gopher activity has also been observed.
Officially dubbed Colvin Ranch Day, the celebration is free to attend. It will feature family friendly activities including ranch tours, wildflower walks and live music performed by the Oly Mountain Boys — along with the opportunity to connect with representatives from 18 different agriculture and conservation agencies or groups.
Events will be held throughout the day, starting with a welcome ceremony at 11 a.m. and the Colvin Ranch Conservation Partner Award presentation ceremony at 11:30 a.m.
Ranch tours begin at 12:15 p.m., followed by wildflower walks at 1 and 2 p.m., and the event will conclude by 3 p.m.
Agriculture and conservation agencies or groups attending Colvin Ranch Day include:
• The Lewis County Farm Bureau
• The Southwest Washington Food Hub
• Joint Animal Services
• 24 Carrots 4-H
• The Center for Natural Lands Management
• The Community Farmland Trust
• The Ecostudies Institute
• The NRCS
• The Thurston Conservation District
• Thurston County Cattlewomen
• The Thurston County Noxious Weed Control Board
• The Thurston County Stream Team
• Wolf Haven International
• The Washington Conservation Commission
• The Washington Farm Bureau
• The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Washington State University Extension
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“Gourmet steak sandwiches will be available to purchase,” Colvin added in the release.
Costing $20, the steak sandwiches come in a lunch box from Simply Organic Cafe & Catering in Tenino. The lunch box features a grass-fed New York strip steak sandwich with roasted garlic aioli, heirloom tomatoes, romaine lettuce and onions with a side of cucumber and potato salad, and a double fudge drop cookie for dessert.
It is recommended those looking to get a steak sandwich lunch box order it ahead of time online as supply is limited. Those who order one can pick it up at the ranch starting at noon the day of the event. To order a lunch box, visit https://tinyurl.com/2fhd4fpr.
For more information on Colvin Ranch Day, visit the ranch’s website at https://tinyurl.com/285fe8u6.
Colvin Ranch is located at 16816 Old Highway 99 SE in Tenino. To learn more about the ranch, visit its website at https://shop.colvinranch.com/.
