Wenas Mammoth Foundation – 501(c)3

2018 Wenas Mammoth Foundation’s Paleontology Youth Summer Day Camp:  This was our first camp and it was a big success.  We had sixteen 4th through 9th graders who were full of excitement as they learned methods of paleontology and archaeology, the history of the dig site, and how to accurately record layers and depth of artifacts and fossils.   They also learned digging methods, dry and wet screening methods, and photographic recording methods.  We want to thank our wonderful volunteers, participants, and sponsors.  We will be working on future camps in 2019, including camps for adults and teachers.  Check out our Facebook and website for updates on our educational program or to view more photos of the camp.

Hello Everyone!  We have been really busy at the Wenas Mammoth Foundation.  Our 2nd Mural Project was completed by the LaSalle High School Art Class students.  This year they painted a winter scene of the Wenas Valley, 17,000 years ago, when the Columbian Mammoths and Bison Antiquus were living there.  There will also be a new life-size Bison Antiquus silhouette erected on site very soon.  You can view more information and photos on our website at www.WenasMammoth.com, or on Facebook.  We also are having our first Paleontology Youth Summer Day Camp.  I have attached the flyer on this fun event for 4th through 12th grade students.  Please share the flyer with anyone who may be interested.  Have a great summer!

The Wenas Mammoth Foundation has begun publishing a quarterly newsletter, as well as occasional news blasts, that will be emailed to anyone who may be interested.  If you would like to be included in our mailings (email), please send us an email with your email address to [email protected]   Thank You for your interest.

The Yakima Arboretum’s Kid’s Fossil Night, on January 28th, was a lot of fun!  The Wenas Mammoth Foundation setup the Brush Boxes (uncover bones with bristle brush, then identify) and the Clay Fossil Models activities.   We also brought the casts of the Wenas Mammoth femur, atlas vertebrae, as well as mammoth and mastodon teeth.  CWU’s CESME program also participated.  Children were able to inspect a variety of fossils, fossil imprints and petrified wood.  Thank You Yakima Arboretum, for asking us to participate in this educational event!

The Wenas Columbian Mammoth and Bison Antiquus Bones are Coming Home! Central WA University conducted summer field schools from 2005 – 2010. Since that time the Wenas Mammoth and Bison Antiquus bones have been at CWU’s Lab for research, under the direction of Professor Lubinski. The agreement with the land owners  (Bronwyn and Doug Mayo), the Wenas Mammoth Foundation and CWU, was that when the research has been completed on the bones, they will be returned to Selah, WA. It was important to the Mayos that the bones would be returned for continued educational opportunities and public viewing. Professor Lubinski has completed the research on the Bison Antiquus, and those bones have been returned. He has also completed research and returned the mammoth’s atlas vertebrae and thoracic 2 vertebrae. Lynn Bethke, Collections Manager at CWU’s Museum of Culture and Environment, constructed boxes so the bones could be safely transported. The next two bones, the femur and humerus, should be returned soon. The WMF is very grateful for CWU and Professor Lubinski for their support of this project.