OUR HISTORY
The MCBONES Research Center Foundation has a shared history with the Coyote Canyon Mammoth Site.
The Coyote Canyon mammoth was discovered in November 1999 during excavation and hauling of fine-grained soil for use as topsoil.
In late 2007, the land went up for sale, and the presence of the mammoth was disclosed.
In the spring of 2008, a pedestrian survey and test excavation confirmed the location of the mammoth skeleton uncovering a number of mammoth-size bones, including a humerus and scapula in near articulated position. Excitement grew that this site might offer a unique opportunity for students, teachers, and researchers to investigate well-preserved mammoth subfossils in the context of Ice Age flood deposits.
In June 2008, the 27-acre property was purchased by two Tri-Cities brothers (doing business as Horse Heaven Hills LLC) with the hope of turning the site into an educational science-based research facility for students, teachers, scientists and the public.
In September 2008, the Mid-Columbia Basin Old Natural Education Sciences (MCBONES) Research Center Foundation was established with the Washington Secretary of State’s Charities Program, to oversee environmental, paleontological, and geological research and education at the site.
Formal excavation of the site began in the fall of 2010.
In September 2011, MCBONES was granted federal tax exempt status as a public charity – exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Employer Identification Number: 26-3474017).
