Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center near Grants Pass reopened to the public last week following a closure of more than four months prompted by staffing issues.

The facility, which takes in sick and injured wildlife, closed abruptly in early December after a “sudden and abrupt” change in staffing, according to a center announcement at the time. Since then, the organization has refitted and rehabilitated itself and its facilities.

Dave Siddon Jr., director of the center, said in a video posted by the organization that new staffers are aboard and animal exhibits have been improved.

“I think the whole place and the whole rhythm of this park has changed completely,” he said.

A request for additional comment was not returned.

Wildlife Images, founded in 1981, provides educational programs on wildlife, conservation and the environment. The facility is located on 24 acres at 11845 Lower River Road, about 4 miles southwest of Merlin.

The center has a clinic, animal sanctuary and animal exhibits featuring birds of prey, mammals and reptiles. Its residents include a brown bear, wolves, otters, a gray fox and eagles.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with last entry at 4 p.m. Cost is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors 55-plus, $12 for children ages 4-12 and free for children 3 and under. Call 541-476-0222 for more information.

Phoenix event features music, food, activities

The Firebrand Resiliency Collective will host an all-ages community building event 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Phoenix Industrial Studios, 4495 S. Pacific Highway in Phoenix.

It will feature live music, food trucks, education booths and children’s activities, including arts and crafts, Smokey Bear, a fire engine and tree planting.

Beforehand, a community cleanup will take place 9 to 11 a.m. at nearby Glenwood Mobile Home Park. And an organized 8-mile bicycle ride via the Bear Creek Greenway is set for 11 a.m. from Ashland’s dog park on Briggs Lane.

Parking is available at Phoenix Elementary School, Umpqua Bank and Indigo Creek Outfitters in Phoenix, with a trolley arriving every 20 minutes to take visitors to the event site.

Heavy rain could alter plans. More information is available at firebrandcollective.org.

Riverkeeper hosts Central Point walk

Rogue Riverkeeper is hosting an easy 2-mile walk 10 a.m. to noon Saturday on paved and unpaved trails in Central Point, where participants will visit pond and creek habitat, and take a look at a planned park site. Birds and turtles frequent the area.

The walk will start on Pine Street and go to Table Rock Road. Along the way, participants will visit Elk Creek and see the impacts and recovery from a 2020 fire.

The event is appropriate for age 8 and older. It is not wheelchair-accessible. Space is limited.

To register, go to rogueriverkeeper.org. For more information, contact Allee Gustafson at 541-488-5789, ext. 1014.

Learn about, search for mushrooms

Spend the day searching for wild fungi and learning about edible and poisonous varieties of mushrooms with local expert Mike Potts. Outings are set for Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, June 2.

Cost is $55. Children with an adult are free. Space is limited. Meet at the Northwest Nature Shop, 154 Oak St., Ashland, and travel to the foraging location, a drive of about 45 minutes, and return by 3 p.m.

Wear appropriate hiking shoes and outerwear. Bring a water bottle, lunch, pocketknife, whistle and non-plastic collecting bag or basket.

To sign up, call 541-482-3241, send an email to northwestnatureshop@gmail.com or stop by the shop 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Rake the forest at Lake of the Woods

Lake of the Woods Resort is putting out a call for volunteers to help with a community cleanup day 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Rainbow Bay day-use area. The event is dubbed the first annual Rake of the Woods.

“We took some big hits with the weather this winter and there is quite a bit of ground debris we could use your help with,” according to a social media posting by the resort, which is located about an hour’s drive east of Medford, off Highway 140.

Rakes and refreshments will be provided, with a spaghetti lunch to follow for participants. Register at the group area or contact Cathy Cresser at cathy.cresser@lakeofthewoodsresort.com. Reach the resort at 541-949-8300.

Cities publish summer program guides

Summer program guides are available from the cities of Central Point, Medford and Ashland. They include information on senior, adult and youth programs, including classes, day camps, swim lessons, events and concerts.

View the Central Point guide at centralpointoregon.gov, the Medford guide at medford.oregon.gov/Home and the Ashland guide at bit.ly/3UkC1gm.

Japanese Garden hosts children’s event

Celebrate Children’s Day at the Ashland Japanese Garden 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

There will be interactive stations with traditional Japanese toys, cultural activities and koi feeding. The garden is in Lithia Park, near Granite Street and Strawberry Lane.

For more information, visit AshlandJapaneseGarden.org or contact the Ashland Parks and Recreation Department, at 541-488-5340.

May 11 is Bird Day at nature center

Rogue Valley Bird Day is set 8 a.m. to noon May 11 at North Mountain Park Nature Center, 620 N. Mountain Ave., Ashland.

Activities include bird walks, education booths, children’s activities and more, including contests featuring bird calling and name-that-bird.

For more information, call 541-488-6606.

Land Conservancy hosts outings

The Southern Oregon Land Conservancy is offering several upcoming hikes and outings. Registration is required, and early sign-ups are suggested.

Events include the following:

• Explore Pompadour Bluff near Ashland, 3-5 p.m. May 8.

• Learn about nature journaling 10 a.m. to noon May 11 at Oredson-Todd Woods, off Lupine Drive near Ashland. Use words, pictures and numbers to describe observations. Bring a notebook or journal and a pencil and portable camp chair if desired.

• Take a stroll through Whetstone Savanna Preserve near White City, 9 a.m. to noon, May 14.

• Open Lands Day at the Rogue River Preserve, 646 Rogue River Drive, in Eagle Point is set 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 1, featuring self-guided walks and guided hikes.

Sign up online at landconserve.org. For more information, call 541-482-3069.

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.