Robin Bliss reaches toward animal tracks in the snow last year during a wildlife tracking class he helped lead in cooperation with Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Another class and hike, led by naturalist Nolan Richard, is coming up Feb. 23-24.

Learn how to recognize animal tracks at a “hike and learn” offered by Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument on Feb. 23-24. Space is limited.

The class, led by naturalist and South Medford High School biology teacher Nolan Richard, will cover local mammal species and how to identify their tracks, trails, signs and scat. The class is appropriate for beginners and those looking to brush up their skills.

The Feb. 23 activity includes a slideshow presentation and talk about the basics of tracking. It takes place 6-7:30 p.m. in room 161 in the Science Building at Southern Oregon University

The Feb. 24 activity is a hike in the monument. Participants meet at 9 a.m. in the Rite Aid parking lot, 2341 Ashland St., Ashland.

Bring water, food and appropriate gear. Register at cascadesiskiyou.org. For more information, call 541-378-3039.

Medford parks and rec offers trail hikes for people 55-plus

The city of Medford offers hikes for people 55 and older, including outings set for the Sterling Mine Trail on Feb. 13, the Rogue River Preserve on Feb. 20 and Upper Table Rock on Feb. 27. Space is limited.

Participants meet at Rogue X, 901 Rossanley Drive, and take a van to the trails. Cost is $12 for city residents and $18 for non-residents. Register at playmedford.com. Call 541-774-2400 for more information.

Audubon Society hosts monthly bird walk in Grants Pass

The Siskiyou Audubon Society hosts a monthly bird walk starting at 8:45 a.m. Feb. 20 in the parking lot next to the pedestrian bridge at Reinhart Volunteer Park, 1690 S.W. Webster Road in Grants Pass.

The walk is mostly level, about a mile long and takes about two hours. The route includes a walk out on the bridge and then a stroll downstream on a riverside trail.

Call 541-291-0506 or email sisqaudubon@gmail.com for more information.

Oregon State Parks explains statewide recreation plan

Oregon State Parks is hosting three upcoming online “open house” sessions about a draft statewide outdoor recreation plan that helps set grant funding priorities.

The plan considers comments from more than 3,000 residents and recreation providers who were surveyed as part of research conducted by Oregon State University.

The draft plan also takes a close look at the benefits of outdoor recreation, engaging with underserved communities and balancing conservation and recreation.

The sessions will include an overview and a time for brief public comments. A final draft will be available in the spring or summer. It eventually will be presented to the state Parks and Recreation Commission and the U.S. National Park Service.

The sessions are 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 15; 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 29; and 10-11:30 a.m. March 2. Register at outdooreconomy.oregonstate.edu/scorp2024.

Club sets work crew trip on Illinois River Trail

The Siskiyou Mountain Club of Ashland is organizing an overnight backpacking/brush-clearing trip on the Illinois River Trail. The hike is about 3 miles. More details are available at siskiyoumountainclub.org/calendar. Contact the club at 458-254-0657.

Learn about trail building during an online class set for 6-8 p.m. Feb. 21 and offered by the Oregon State University Extension Land Steward Program.

Class topics include siting, design, tools and techniques. Learn about “lessons learned” and factors to consider before getting started.

John Price, a 25-year veteran of trail building, leads the class. He’s worked with the Ashland Woodland and Trails Association and the Pacific Crest Trail Association and has certifications in chainsaw and crosscut saw use.

Register at beav.es/UcY or call OSU Extension at 541-776-7371. Cost is $15. For more information, email rachel.werling@oregonstateedu.

Learn about Northwest Forest Plan changes

Hear about the impacts of the Northwest Forest Plan during an online panel presentation, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 22. The event is organized by the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center of Ashland.

Panelists include Susan Jane Brown of Silvix Resources, Nikcole Whipple of Save California Salmon and Alexi Lovechio of KS Wild.

The 1994 Northwest Forest Plan is a forest and ecosystem management plan that is undergoing revision to reflect current issues, including climate change.

The presentation will explain the plan, how it affects the Klamath-Siskiyou region and how it’s being updated. It also will discuss perspectives of indigenous communities of northern California.

Register at kswild.org. For more information, contact Allee Gustafson, events and volunteer manager, at 541.488.5789, ext. 1014.