SHARING THE COLUMBIA BASIN PROJECT STORY AT THE 2018 SANDHILL CRANE FESTIVAL

The story of the Columbia Basin Project is one that affects all of us. In addition to the nearly 700,000 acres of irrigated agricultural lands, the Columbia Basin Project is known for its ample recreational opportunities that draw three million annual visitors to fish, hunt, camp, swim, and explore. The Project has also created biodiverse wetlands that form part of the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.

The Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, in addition to the greater Othello area, has become the spring return destination of Sandhill Cranes. In 1998, a Festival was organized to celebrate the cranes’ return. Each year, the League participates in the Festival to share more about the benefit of the Columbia Basin Project, including the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.

In March, League Board members, including Dale Pomeroy, Chet Pederson, and John Moody, staffed a booth at the 2018 Sandhill Crane Festival. The festival’s theme this year was “H20 & Birds on the Go”, drawing nearly 2,000 people. The three-day festival included a variety of entertaining, educational, and memorable activities for the whole family to enjoy.

John Moody shared, “It’s great to see all the kids in attendance. There are lots of kid activities where they learn about birds, wildlife, and other Columbia Basin highlights through a booth ‘passport’. We love this unique opportunity to educate our community about the importance of the Columbia Basin Project.”