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The Mt. Ashland Ski Area, in partnership with SWS Mountain Guides, is hosting a free introductory backcountry clinic on Saturday. A skier session is set for 10 a.m. to noon, and a splitboarder session is set for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Space is limited. Sign up at mtashland.com. For more information, contact the ski area at 541-482-2897.

Climate change presentation set for Wednesday

Alan Journet of Southern Oregon Climate Action Now is scheduled to give a presentation on Wednesday, Jan. 22, about regional climate change trends, impacts and projections. The presentation, which can be viewed online, is set for 6-8 p.m. at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point.

Journet, co-founder of the non-profit SOCAN, is slated to discuss the effects of global warming, including drought, heat waves, reduced snowpack and floods, and their implications for wildfires, ecosystems, biodiversity, agriculture and forestry.

Cost is $15. Register at loom.ly/MoPZafY. For more information, call 541-776-7371.

Marine Board set to vote on jet boat rules

The Oregon State Marine Board is scheduled to meet at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in Salem and online to consider rules restricting jet boat use on the Rogue River upstream of Fishers Ferry County Park near Gold Hill. The restrictions are aimed at protecting fish and wildlife habitat while enhancing safety and reducing conflict between river users, according to the agency.

The rules would allow commercial charter jet boat use between the park and Rattlesnake Rapids near Eagle Point from May 8 to Sept. 10, with use restricted to the hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. upstream of Table Rock Road Bridge, which crosses the river at TouVelle State Recreation Site. A wildlife refuge and homes border the river above TouVelle.

Under the proposal, jet boat use would be restricted during times of low water flow, and the number of charter trips would be limited to 300 a year above Table Rock Road Bridge.

Rogue Jet Boat Adventures has operated on the river in the area for 13 years and operates a riverside park downriver of TouVelle. For more information about Thursday’s meeting, visit bit.ly/4h1OhMK.

View ecological thinning operation on national forest

Join Rogue Forest Partners from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday for a field trip to the Upper Applegate Watershed Restoration Project on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, where ecological commercial thinning is underway to improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk.

Learn about the project and view the helicopter that is moving thinned trees to a landing area, where they will be transported to a local mill. Visit an area where thinning has been completed. The tour begins at the Star Ranger Station, 6941 Upper Applegate Road.

The outing is weather dependent and registration is required by Wednesday, at bit.ly/UAWtour.

Ashland hosts all-abilities ice skating event

The Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission is scheduled to host a free all-abilities community skate event from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday at the Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink in Lithia Park, 95 Winburn Way.

The event, held in cooperation with Bridging Communities and the Autism Society of Oregon, caters to people experiencing cognitive and/or physical disabilities. Ice scooters will be available to assist skaters. People in wheelchairs may participate. Lions Club members will provide hot cocoa and snacks.

Register at ashlandoregon.gov/register. For more information, call 541-488-5340.

Share your plants and seeds at free swap

Join the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center and Pollinator Project Rogue Valley from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday for a free plant and seed swap at 562 A St. in Ashland.

Visitors are encouraged to bring seeds, houseplant cuttings, potted plants and outdoor plants. Pollinator Project Rogue Valley will supply native plant seeds for outdoor gardens. Bestow will supply a handful of houseplant propagations.

For more information, contact KS Wild at 541-4889-5789 or kswild.org.

Young people invited to learn about insects

Young people are invited to join Central Point Parks and Recreation on Saturday to explore the world of insects, including their anatomy, role in the environment, diets, defenses and camouflage. Visitors will have the opportunity to eat real insects, such as freeze-dried crickets and mealworms.

The program, for ages 3 and older, is set for 3-4 p.m. at 405 S. Fourth St. in Central Point. Cost is $9. Reserve a spot online at bit.ly/4h7DUqV. For more information, contact the department at 541-664-3321.

Get the latest on Oregon Caves Chateau rehabilitation

Sue Densmore, executive director of the Friends of Oregon Caves, is scheduled to discuss ongoing rehabilitation of the historic Chateau at Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, at 6 p.m. on Jan. 28 at the Talent Public Library.

Also, Katie Wendt, assistant professor at Oregon State University, is scheduled to discuss her climate history research in the caves, using the stalactites and stalagmites as her research subjects.

The gathering is a meeting of Southern Oregon Climate Action Now. The public is invited. For more information, visit socan.eco or call 541-324-4501.

Get updated on pedestrian-bicycle plans for byway

Learn about design concepts for the Rogue-Umpqua Bicycle and Pedestrian Corridor Plan during meetings set for 4-6 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Prospect Library, 150 Millcreek Drive, and 4-6 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Gold Hill Library, 202 Dardanelles St.

The meetings are a follow-up to a prior meeting about needs and designs for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements. The corridor follows the Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway, which includes Highways 234, 62, 230 and 138, from Gold Hill to Roseburg.

For more information, visit bit.ly/4jfWLkY or contact project manager Cole Grisham at 360-619-7746.

Bird expert to discuss migration, climate change

Bird expert Pepper Trail is scheduled to address the Rogue Valley Audubon Society on Jan. 28 to discuss the ways that climate change are impacting birds.

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. at the Medford Congregational Church of Christ, Lidgate Hall, 1801 E. Jackson St. in Medford. To join the meeting online, go to roguevalleyaudubon.org/ for the link.

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

Learn about the Northwest Forest Plan

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is hosting a community meeting to share information about proposed changes to the Northwest Forest Plan, from 6-8 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the Medford Interagency Office, 3040 Biddle Road.

Visitors may view detailed maps and speak with Forest Service staff and experts who worked on the plan. Spanish translators will be available to assist.

The Northwest Forest Plan was created in 1994 to conserve forests and habitat for wildlife while supporting communities. The Forest Service is proposing to amend the plan to address wildfire risks, economic needs and other challenges.

For more information, visit bit.ly/40gs9H7 or contact the agency at 541-618-2200. A 25-minute video to be presented at the meeting may be viewed at tinyurl.com/3axcmsvs.

In a related matter, the Applegate Siskiyou Alliance is planning a “Rally for Old-Growth Forests” from 5-6 p.m. immediately preceding the meeting. For more information, visit bit.ly/3PIDoTZ.

Mountain Club to host volunteer orientation

Join the Siskiyou Mountain Club on Jan. 30 for its 2025 volunteer orientation. Connect with trip leaders and learn about trips planned for the year. The organization clears and maintains remote trails.

The program starts at 6 p.m, but show up early for pizza and beverages at 33 3rd St. in Ashland’s Underground Marketplace.

The next club work party is set for Feb. 1-2 on the Butte Fork Trail from the Horsecamp Trailhead. The trail leads to Azalea Lake. Campout at the cars and help clear brush and cut logs from the trail.

Catch a ride Sunday morning from Gold Hill, Jacksonville or Ruch and be back Sunday evening. Email trevor@siskiyoumountainclub.org for details.

Help plant willow cuttings along Bear Creek

Help the Rogue River Watershed Council from 10 a.m. to noon on Jan. 31 and Feb. 12 with willow staking along Bear Creek at Lynn Newbry Park, off of Siskiyou View in Talent. Willow staking is the planting of willow cuttings to promote soil stabilization, primarily along waterways.

Bring work gloves and wear appropriate attire. Bring loppers or pruners, if you’d like. RSVP at buff.ly/4ilAh1v. Reach the watershed council at 541-423-6158.

Learn how to track wildlife

Join Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 for a free lecture and hike series about wildlife tracking. Join for both the lecture and hike or just one.

The lecture is set for 6-7:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 in Room 161 of the Science Building at Southern Oregon University. The hike is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 1 in the monument.

Sign up at bit.ly/40G31uW. For more information, contact the organization at 541-378-3039.

Event leader Robin Bliss-Wagner has dedicated his career to teaching and mentoring children, teens and adults in deep nature connection, survival skills, bird language and tracking.

Frostbite Run set for Feb. 1 in Talent

Join Southern Oregon Runners on Feb. 1 for the Frostbite Run, with a 10K race starting at 11 a.m. and a 5K race beginning at 11 a.m., at Talent Middle School, 102 Christian Ave. Sign up at bit.ly/3E4njW8.

The story of the Blue Sledge Mine

Join Laura B. Ahearn, president of the McKee Bridge Historical Society, at noon on Feb. 5 at the Medford Library as she presents a wide perspective on the Blue Ledge Mine, including its connections to the orchard boom, socialism and World War I. What once promised unbounded riches is now a Superfund site containing hazardous materials adjoining the Red Buttes Wilderness.

Learn about the romances, scandals, heroes and ordinary people in a remote part of the Siskiyou Mountains. Ahern will speak as part of the Windows in Time lunchtime lecture series. The session can be viewed online, too.

Registration is required, at bit.ly/3Q3UtrT. For more information, contact the library at 541-774-8689.

What’s so special about an old-growth forest?

Join the Williams Community Forest Project and geologist Chas Rogers at 6 p.m. on Feb. 5 for a presentation about the value of old forests. Learn about how forests protect Earth’s ecosystems by providing ways to store water, cool temperatures and release oxygen.

The presentation is set for 6 p.m. at the Williams Grange, 20100 Williams Highway in Williams. For more information, visit williamscommunityforestproject.org.

Cities publish winter-spring activity guides

Central Point, Ashland and Medford have published winter-spring recreational activity guides, including classes, events and outings. Check out the Central Point guide at bit.ly/42giLWN, Ashland’s 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.