Registration: Spring is here and so too are outstanding opportunities to join SOLC for our Spring Hike series! Hikes are free but fill up quickly so reserve your spot early! To read more about each hike and to register, please go to landconserve.org. Even if a hike is full, join the waiting list as cancellations do happen.
Note: Some hikes are members only. Another great reason to join Southern Oregon Land Conservancy! For more info, call 541.482.3069.
Cascade Foothills Wildflowers, Thursday, April 13, 4-6:30 pm
The City of Ashland’s Imperatrice property, east of Ashland in the Cascade Mountain Foothills, is a beautiful 825-acre property with darling grassland flowers, glorious views of the southern Bear Creek Valley, and a rare breeding colony of Grasshopper Sparrows. We hope to work with the City to protect this special property. Leader: SOLC Stewardship Director Kristi Mergenthaler
Rogue River Preserve Ecology Walk, Saturday, April 15, 10am-1 pm
Walk the oak woodlands, vernal pools and an impressive riparian forest along the Rogue River near Eagle Point with one of the most popular hike guides in our region. Southern Oregon Land Conservancy is pursuing acquisition of this beautiful 352-acre property. Leader: Forest Ecologist Dr. Tom Atzet
Rogue River Preserve Walkabout, Sunday April 16, 11am-2pm
This outing is for folks who’ve never been to the Preserve or have only seen a little of it. We’ll explore its outer limits including a peek into the magical floodplain forest, wandering through the oak savanna, and enjoying a bag lunch by the spectacular Rogue River. Leader: SOLC Membership Director Della Merrill
Rogue River Preserve Birding, Saturday, April 22, 8am -Noon
Look for Lewis’s Woodpeckers, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Wood Ducks and Pygmy Owls during this joint SOLC-Rogue Valley Audubon Society tour exploring vernal pools, oak woodlands, chaparral and the riparian forest along the Rogue River. Leader: Dr. Pepper Trail
Cascade Foothills Birding, Sunday, April 30, 8am-Noon
Members Only
East of Ashland in the Cascade Foothills, this large grassland is an excellent place to see raptors and songbirds like Western Bluebird, Western Meadowlark, and the uncommon Grasshopper Sparrow. The flowers show is usually spectacular too. Leader: Birding Expert Frank Lospalluto
Jacksonville Woodlands History Tour, Thursday, May 4, 1pm-4pm
Members Only
Join us on a four-mile hike through Jacksonville’s Historic Rich Gulch Mining District and descend down into French Gulch to view a reestablished hydraulic mining display and water cannon. The three hour hike will also include the Chinese Diggings and Panorama Point and if time allows a partial hike on the Petard Water Ditch Trail. Leader: Larry Smith
Cascade Foothills Wildflowers, Saturday, May 6, 10am-2 pm
The City of Ashland’s Imperatrice property, east of Ashland in the Cascade Mountain Foothills, is a beautiful 825-acre property with darling grassland flowers, glorious views of the southern Bear Creek Valley, and hosts a rare breeding colony of grasshopper sparrows. This will be a longer and more strenuous hike than the April 13 visit and the group may visit the oak woodland on the ridge. Leader: SOLC Stewardship Director Kristi Mergenthaler
Jacksonville Woodlands Birding, Sunday, May 7, 8am-11am
Our land steward will lead an exploration of the beautiful bird life behind the Britt Festival in the Jacksonville Woodlands in Jacksonville. We’ll look for bids in oak woodland and mixed evergreen forest. Leader: SOLC Land Steward Karen Hussey
Oredson-Todd Woods Ecology, Saturday, May 13, 10am-1 pm
Join forest ecologist Tom Atzet for an easy tour of a charming forested natural area in Ashland off Tolman Creek Road. Leader: Forest Ecologist Dr. Tom Atzet
Birding Rogue River Preserve, Saturday, May 20, 7:30am-noon
Look for Lewis’s Woodpeckers, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and Pygmy Owls during this wonderful tour of the Rogue River Preserve. You’ll also explore vernal pools, oak woodlands, chaparral and the riparian forest along the river. Leader: Dennis Vroman
RRP Natural History, Saturday, May 27, 10am-2pm
Explore this special property with naturalist Dave Garcia. This hike will go farther afield than the ecology walk including visiting the beautiful northern river access point. If you have them, bring your binoculars. Leader: Naturalist Dave Garcia
Nature Sketching at Rogue River Preserve, Sunday, June 4, 10am-1pm
Members Only
Illustrator Paula Fong will lead participants in an exploration of the Rogue River Preserve, sketching and journaling to capture the natural history we encounter along the way. Leader: Artist Paula Fong
Hellgate/Indian Mary Ecology Field Trip, Saturday, June 10, 10am-2pm
Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon’s roles in “The River Wild” helped make Hellgate Canyon famous over 20 years ago. The Rogue River carved a 200-foot-deep canyon through a unique combination of geology. Consequently, a rich and unusual flora hangs on through our hot summers. Indian Mary Park is considered one of the top 10 parks in Oregon and has a fascinating history dating to the local Native American wars associated with settlers and gold mining. The scars of the 1964 flood are still visible. Leader: Forest Ecologist Dr. Tom Atzet
Morning Solitude on the Preserve, Saturday, June 17, 8:30am-Noon
Do you yearn for some uninterrupted quiet time in nature? This may be just what you need! Join others with a similar desire, say hello, and then find your own quiet spot to slow down and open your senses. Focus on the breeze on your face, the birdsong overhead, or the river’s unceasing flow to the sea. You will be free to meditate, practice yoga, or spend your time reading, journaling, or sketching. Leader: SOLC staff Karen Hussey
Dragonfly Exploration at Rogue River Preserve, Saturday, June 24, Noon-4pm
Help us add to our dragonfly list while learning about dragonfly biology on a gorgeous property along the Rogue. This outing will be led by amazing naturalists who are also talented birders and photographers. Leaders: Norm Barrett, Gary Schaffer, Jim Livaudais
Butterflies at Sky King Cole and CSNM, Sunday, June 25, 10am-3pm
Learn how to safely catch and identify butterflies on a privately conserved property on the Siskiyou Summit and on the adjacent Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. This event is perfect for beginners, kids welcome. Bring a butterfly net, if you have one, and water, snacks, lunch, sunblock, and layers. Leaders: Kathleen Donham & Linda Kappan