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Monarchs still can be seen fluttering from Southern Oregon to overwintering areas near San Francisco and points farther south, according to Linda Kappen of Southern Oregon Monarch Advocates, an organization involved in monarch research, education and advocacy.

Migrating monarchs visit flowers early and late in the day.

A few weeks ago, the advocates organization posted the story of a tagged monarch that was released Sept. 19 from the Community Education Center in Elkton, northwest of Roseburg, and spotted two days later 114 miles away in a garden in Brookings. That butterfly flew an average of 57 miles a day, surpassing the previous record of 39 miles per day for a fast flight in the West, according to the post.

Kappen is a former instructional assistant at the Applegate School, which has a pollinator garden that attracts monarchs. Kappen and other butterfly enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest collaborate with David James, an associate professor with Washington State University, to tag and rear monarchs, follow their flights and learn about them.

Vesper Meadow hosts projects, fundraiser

Restoration work projects are scheduled Wednesday and Thursday at the Vesper Meadow Education Preserve, 16534 Dead Indian Memorial Road. Also, a festival fundraiser is planned from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 26. The preserve is a 1,000-acre private preserve used for restoration, research and education. To register, go to vespermeadow.org.

KS Wild to host celebration fundraiser

The Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center will host a dinner and music celebration plus auction 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Historic Ashland Armory. Tickets start at $125. Register at KSWild.org. Contact the organization at 541-488-5789.

Land conservancy to host Open Lands Day

The Southern Oregon Land Conservancy, a land trust protecting more than 13,000 acres, is scheduled to host an Open Lands Day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at its Rogue River Preserve, 895-801 Rogue River Drive, near Eagle Point. Visitors may tour the property. Register at landconserve.org.

Learn about birding in the Monument

Learn about birding during lecture-hike events set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, presented by the Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and the Klamath Bird Observatory.

The lecture is held at the Ashland Food Co-op, 300 N. Pioneer St. in Ashland. The hike takes place in the monument. Register at cascade siskiyou.org. Call 541-378-3039 for more information.

Japanese Garden hosts anniversary celebration

The Ashland Japanese Garden in Lithia Park is hosting a two-year anniversary celebration 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to mark renovation of the garden. Learn to fold origami, participate in traditional tea ceremonies and more.

For more information, contact the city’s park’s department at 541-488-5340 or go to ashlandoregon.gov/262/Parks-Recreation.

Learn about pollinator plants at library talk

Join Kristina Lefever of Pollinator Project Rogue Valley from 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday for a conversation at the Shady Cove library about pollinator gardens, with a focus on the plants and pollinators that are native to this Southern Oregon region. The library is at 22477 Highway 62. Register at https://jcls.libcal.com/event/13316448.

Acorn festival set for Saturday in Kerby

The Cultural and Ecological Enhancement Network is hosting an Acorn Festival 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Kerby Belt Building, 24353 Redwood Highway in Kerby.

The event is billed as a fun and educational activity. Learn how to process acorns. Taste traditional acorn mush cooked in a basket. There will be a scarecrow contest with a $100 prize.

Learn to identify, harvest local mushrooms

Learn how to safely identify and harvest local mushrooms by taking a Siskiyou Field Institute course set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday in the forests near Ashland. The course will help you search out native fungi fruiting in the fall and identify key characteristics of typical species to help you tell the difference between toxic, inedible and edible types. Enjoy expert field guidance while exploring some known fungi fruiting hotspots in the forests of the Southern Cascades.

This class is focused on education and identification, and does not guarantee a significant mushroom harvest. Hiking will be moderately difficult over uneven terrain and through forest debris, but there will be no significant elevation gain. Ages 12 and under are welcome. Tuition is $80.

Register online at thesfi.org. Contact the Selma-based organization at 541-597-8530.

Fall festivals, pumpkin patch activities underway

The annual Fall Festival at Fort Vannoy Farms, 5791 Lower River Road near Grants Pass, is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily in October.

The festival offers a farm stand, food, corn maze, pumpkin cannon and cow train. Tractor rides are free. A haunted maze is offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, as well. Purchase tickets at fortvannoyfarms.com. Call 541-479-3765 for more information.

Other harvest events include:

• The Evers Ridge Farm pumpkin patch is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October at 3100 Cordelia Way in Medford. The farm has a nature walk and offers fresh-pressed cider.

For more information, visit eversridgefarm.com or call 541-778-7681.

• The Pheasant Fields Farm harvest festival is set for Fridays and Saturdays through October, with admission times on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Night attractions are set 7-9:30 p.m. Oct. 18-19. And Fright After Dark events are set 7-9:30 p.m. Oct. 24-27.

Get more information and tickets at pheasantfieldsfarm.com.

• Bigham Farms, 9445 Pumice Lane, Central Point, offers a pumpkin patch and events 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October. Events include a corn maze, hay ride, kiddie cart rides and a bubble station. For more information, call 541-621-5441.

Community meeting set in Williams over land purchase

An Oct. 24 meeting about the possible purchase of 1,800 acres of forest land, including what is known as the Pipe Fork property, is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Williams Grange, according to the Williams Community Forest Project. The land is due to be auctioned by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners.

For more information, visit www.williamscommunityforestproject.org or send an email at info@williamscommunityforestproject.org.

Cities publish fall activities guides

The cities of Medford, Ashland and Central Point have published activity and recreational guides for the fall season, including classes, events and outings. View them at playmedford.com, ashlandoregon.gov/parks and centralpointoregon.gov/parksrec.

Want to publicize your upcoming outdoors event for free? Send details to writer Shaun Hall at 541-761-6726 or shaunmichaelhall@gmail.com. Submissions about upcoming events are encouraged.