Haleigh Martin, communications manager with the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, and volunteer Art Furman gather up debris in September as part of a Bear Creek cleanup. Another cleanup is set for April 20 at nine locations along the creek, from Central Point to Ashland, as part of Bear Creek Stewardship Day.

Several Earth Day activities are scheduled locally this year, including a Bear Creek cleanup, a family-friendly celebration in Phoenix and an event featuring arts and crafts in Central Point.

• The community is invited to help clean up Bear Creek from 9 a.m. to noon April 20 at nine locations along the creek, from Central Point to Ashland, during Bear Creek Stewardship Day.

Gloves, bags, buckets and pickup devices are provided or participants may bring their own gloves and tools. Register at bearcreekstewards.org.

The event is hosted by Bear Creek Stewards in cooperation with Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism, Jackson County Parks and Recreation, the Rogue Valley Council of Governments and other groups.

Participants should be cautious of uneven slopes, hazardous materials and poison oak. No open-toed shoes are allowed. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

Locations include Pine Street in Central Point, the confluence of the creek with the Rogue River, Blue Heron Park in Phoenix, Lynn Newbry Park in Talent, Wranglers Arena just north of Interstate 5 Exit 19 in the Talent/Ashland area and the following locations in Medford: McAndrews Road, Hawthorne Park, Alba Drive and Coyote Trails Nature Center.

Some locations are just for trash pickup, while others have additional activities. During the last cleanup event, in September, more than 100 volunteers picked up nearly 5,000 pounds of trash and 1,700 square feet of invasive plants.

• Save the Phoenix Wetlands and Pollinator Project Rogue Valley are sponsoring activities 9 a.m. to noon April 20 at Blue Heron Park, 4385 S. Pacific Highway in Phoenix. They are asking volunteers to help clean the park’s pollinator garden plots, remove invasive plants and pick up trash.

Then, from noon to 4 p.m., Bee City USA — Phoenix Oregon will sponsor an event featuring children’s activities and live music.

• Central Point Parks and Recreation is scheduled to host a celebration 4-6 p.m. April 22 — the actual Earth Day — at Don and Flo Bohnert Farm Park, 525 Stone Pointe Drive in Central Point.

One hundred tree seedlings will be given out, and there will be free crafts and planting activities while supplies last.

Volunteers and sponsors are being sought. For more information, contact Elizabeth Blodgett, special events and marketing coordinator, at 541- 664-3321, ext. 188.

Donate household items and more this Saturday in Talent

Donate clothing, electronics, household items, adventure gear, metal and more at a Together for Talent recycling event set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at the Talent City Hall parking lot, 110 East Main St. in Talent. All area residents are welcome.

Clothing includes shoes and accessories. Household items may include small kitchen counter appliances, dishware and pots and pans. Household batteries may be donated, too.

Adventure gear may include camping equipment, bicycles and bicycle parts. Both ferrous and non-ferrous metals are OK. Electronics may include computers, printers, monitors, TVs, stereos, record players, toner cartridges, chargers, cable, wire and game consoles.

For more information, contact David Spinney at togetherfortalent@cityoftalent.org.

Mt. Ashland hosts ‘pond skim’ on final weekend

Mt. Ashland Ski Area, which is open through Sunday, April 14, before closing for the season, is hosting its annual “Got Guts Pond Skim” on Saturday, featuring skiers and snowboarders daring to skim across a pond of icy water. Competitors will be judged on their skills, style, costume and overall impression.

The event is open to 50 participants, ages 12 and older. Helmets are required. Ski poles are prohibited.

The day’s activities start off at 11 a.m. with the Public Lands Kayak Tug-of-War, followed by the Reverberays, performing a series of surf-rock hits from noon until 2 p.m. outdoors. The pond skim starts at 2 p.m.

The tournament-style tug-of-war competition is open to only 16 participants, ages 12 and older. Sign up at the ticket desk.

Spectators are welcome and encouraged to cheer contestants.

Arbor Day event is Saturday in Talent

The city of Talent and the Talent Urban Forestry Committee are hosting an Arbor Day Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Chuck Roberts Park in Talent, along the Rogue River Parkway. Large trees will be planted in pre-dug holes. Bring gloves, water and snacks.

Plant Oregon will host a short workshop on tree planting and provide assistance during the event.

For more details, contact Julie Spelletich, chairwoman of the Talent Urban Forestry Committee, at urbanforestry@cityoftalent.org.

Film features local trail restoration crew

Join the Siskiyou Mountain Club for a free screening of a 28-minute film, “A Long Way to Nowhere,” 7-8 p.m. Monday, April 15, at REI, 85 Rossanley Drive in Medford.

The film is about a crew of young Americans during a three-month tour restoring trails fading from public lands in southwest Oregon and northwest California. The film captures eight days of the crew’s tour and focuses on two interns and their process of finding purpose.

A question-and-answer period follows the showing. The film is directed by Vince DiFrancesco, club communications staff member.

For more information on the film, visit siskiyoumountainclub.org. To reserve a seat, visit bit.ly/4asVstZ. Seating is limited.

Another showing is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at Taylor’s Sausage, 202 Redwood Highway in Cave Junction.

Tell others about your event Tell us about your upcoming outdoors-related event by sending us brief details, contact information and other important information so that we can tell others about your event in our weekly column, Outdoor Adventures. Send to reporter Shaun Hall at shall@rv-times.com or 2 E. Main St., Ste. 200, Medford, Oregon, 97501. Reach Hall at 458-225-7179. {related_content_uuid}6179c790-b84c-4eaa-b4f4-319335c90499{/related_content_uuid}

Tell us about your upcoming outdoors-related event by sending us brief details, contact information and other important information so that we can tell others about your event in our weekly column, Outdoor Adventures.

Send to reporter Shaun Hall at shall@rv-times.com or 2 E. Main St., Ste. 200, Medford, Oregon, 97501. Reach Hall at 458-225-7179.