Acorn woodpeckers are commonly found in oak woodlands in the Rogue Valley, including at the Rogue River Preserve near Eagle Point. The Southern Oregon Land Conservancy is hosting an Open Lands Day event Saturday at the preserve. 

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The Southern Oregon Land Conservancy invites the public to visit the Rogue River Preserve near Eagle Point on Saturday, Jan. 4, for an Open Lands Day event scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is required.

Guided hikes taking place include “Winter Wonder Nature Journaling” with Myco Schroeder at 10:15 a.m. and the “Hey Bud Winter Plant Walk” with Kristi Mergenthaler at 12:30 p.m. Self-guided explorations are permitted, too.

Space is limited. To register, visit landconserve.org and go to Events.

The preserve features 2 miles of riverfront along the Rogue River and includes a large floodplain forest, oak woodlands and meadows. It typically is open only during special events. No pets are allowed.

For more information, visit landconserve.org or contact Paige Gerhard at 541-482-3069, ext. 107.

Take a ‘First Day Hike’ at an Oregon state park

Oregon State Parks personnel and volunteers are scheduled to lead “First Day Hikes” on Wednesday, Jan. 1, the first day of the new year, at parks around the state, including TouVelle State Recreation Site, Valley of the Rogue State Park and Rough and Ready Botanical Wayside:

• The TouVelle hike, set for 11 a.m., is along an easy 1 ¼-mile loop nature trail that offers views of the Rogue River. Meet at group picnic area A. The park is at 8601 Table Rock Road.

• The Valley of the Rogue Hike is set to begin at 11 a.m. at that park’s amphitheater in the campground area and will follow trails along the river and Rogue River Greenway. Take Interstate 5 to Exit 45B.

• The Rogue and Ready hike begins at 10 a.m. and leaves from the wayside’s parking area. The hike is an easy 1 mile walk that follows Rogue and Ready Creek. The wayside is on the west side of Highway 199 about 4.5 miles south of Cave Junction.

The hikes, which are offered at 34 other state parks in Oregon, are free. Parking fees are waived. Park rangers and volunteers lead the hikes. They typically speak about an area’s history, flora, fauna and geology.

Light refreshments will be provided. Restrooms are available. Dogs are welcome on 6-foot leashes. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, visit Oregon First Day Hikes.

Audubon Society to lead monthly outing to wildlife area

Join the Rogue Valley Audubon Society on Wednesday, Jan. 1, for its monthly outing to Denman Wildlife Area. Walks begin at 8:30 a.m. and end before noon. They are led by Jim Hostick.

For directions and additional information, visit roguevalleyaudubon.org.

Help build a new trail connection

Join the Siskiyou Upland Trails Association for a work party from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, to build a new trail connection starting from Armstrong Gulch on the Sterling Mine Ditch Trail.

The work involves digging new tread or pushing back vegetation from the trail corridor. Expect to hike about 3 miles round trip.

Meet up on Armstrong-Deming Road approximately ¾ of a mile past the Armstrong Gulch Trailhead. There is plenty of parking along the road. Free lunch is provided afterward.

For details, visit www.sutaoregon.org. To register, send an email to SUTAoregoncontact@gmail.com.

Key chairlift reopens at Mt. Ashland Ski Area

The Ariel chairlift at the Mt. Ashland Ski Area is operational after a month-long closure due to damage from a falling tree. The lift, which reopened the day after Christmas, takes riders to the mountain summit. Its closure had limited access to about half of the mountain’s runs.

For more information, visit mtashland.com or call 541-482-2897.

Bird expert to give two presentations

The Jan. 9 chapter meeting of the Siskiyou Audubon Society is scheduled to feature a presentation by Pepper Trail about the migration of Southern Oregon birds and the ecology underlying migration patterns. The meeting is set for 6-8 p.m. at 129 N.W. E St. in Grants Pass. For more information, visit bit.ly/3VRy7gi.

Trail also is scheduled to address the Rogue Valley Audubon Society on Jan. 28 to discuss the ways that climate change is impacting birds. That meeting is set for 7 p.m. at the Medford Congregational Church of Christ, Lidgate Hall, 1801 E. Jackson St. in Medford. Coffee, tea and cookies will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m. To join the meeting online, go to www.roguevalleyaudubon.org/ for the link.

Trail is a naturalist and writer. He was the ornithologist at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory in Ashland for more than 20 years.

Crater Lake rangers lead free snowshoe walks

Crater Lake National Park offers free ranger-guided snowshoe walks on weekends through April and also on weekdays during winter break through Jan. 3, and spring break, March 24-28.

They start at 1 p.m., last two hours and cover 1-2 miles over moderate to strenuous terrain. Participants must be at least 8 years old. Snowshoes are provided.

Space is limited and reservations are required. Separate groups tours might be available. Park entrance fee of $20 applies. Call 541-594-3100.

Cities publish new activity guides

The city of Ashland has just published a Winter-Spring activity guide, joining Medford in providing an updated roundup of upcoming recreational activities, including classes, events and outings. Check out the Ashland guide at bit.ly/WinterSpringGuide2025 and Medford’s guide at playmedford.com.

Send us news about your upcoming events 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.

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.