Wildfire educators learn how to conduct a live-fire lab during a 2024 training led by the Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative, which is helping to sponsor a community wildfire preparedness event Saturday at ScienceWorks in Ashland. Photo courtesy SOFRC

ScienceWorks in Ashland is hosting a community wildfire education day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, featuring hands-on learning about the science of fire, wildfire preparedness and more. 

The free, family-friendly event includes a live fire demonstration, a low-cost air filter workshop, a movie and more. Learn about evacuation planning, the cultural use of fire and fire safety. 

Student-led service projects will showcase the work of local high school students who are participating in FireBright, the locally-developed wildfire science curriculum that is now offered at several schools in Jackson and Josephine counties. 

The event is sponsored by Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative, Ashland Fire and Rescue, the city of Ashland, Lomakatsi Restoration Project and ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum. 

The museum is at 1500 East Main St. in Ashland. The air filter workshop is 1:30-2:30 p.m. The movie Fire Lines starts at 2:30 p.m. in the museum auditorium. 

For more information about the event and to sign up for the air filter workshop, visit sofrc.org/education. 

Help restore Cascade-Siskiyou monument meadow 

Volunteers are invited to join conservationists on Friday to help restore an upland meadow in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, in an effort to improve water resources, fish and wildlife habitat and habitat for an imperiled pollinator species, the Klamath Mardon skipper butterfly.. 

After the creation of beaver-based restoration structures in Hoxie Creek earlier this year, the Bureau of Land Management is teaming up with local conservation organizations to build a 

fence that will help the meadow habitat come back after years of damage from free-range cattle. The area is a wildlife hotspot that is home to elk, deer, mountain lions and great gray owls. 

The project is a joint collaboration between the Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, Vesper Meadow Education Program, KS Wild, The Understory Initiative and the Bureau of Land Management. 

No experience is necessary to help with the work. Those experienced in fence work are encouraged to participate. Drinks, snacks and gloves will be provided. Meet at the Rite-Aid in Ashland at 9 a.m., returning at 3 p.m. 

Go to www.vespermeadow.org to sign up. Send an email to info@cascadesiskyou.org with any questions. 

Take Mom to Wildlife Images for brunch 

Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center is hosting a Mother’s Day brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at its center, 11845 Lower River Road, near Grants Pass. 

Beside brunch, there will be up-close animal encounters and a succulent planting station. Cost is $55. Reserve a spot at wildlifeimages.org. 

Public lands documentaries to be shown locally

Watch a free screening of three documentary films about local public lands and the people who care for them during events hosted by the Siskiyou Mountain Club on Thursday in Medford and on Friday in Grants Pass. 

Screenings are 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Medford Public Library, 205 S. Central Ave., and at 6-7:30 p.m. Friday at the Wild River Pub, 533 N.E. F St. in Grants Pass. 

Topics include the Bolan Mountain Fire Lookout, a look at intern work and national forest management. There will be a question-and-answer time afterward. 

For more information, visit siskiyoumountainclub.org. Contact the club at 458-254-0657. 

Bird Day event is Saturday in Ashland 

Celebrate Rogue Valley Bird Day from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the North Mountain Park Nature Center, 620 N. Mountain Ave. in Ashland. 

The event will include exhibits, tours and contests, including a bird-calling and “name-that-bird” contests at 11 a.m. Exhibitors include the Klamath Bird Observatory, Wildlife Images, and more. 

Bird walks leave every 15-30 minutes to travel along the park’s bark-chipped trails or along the accessible, paved bike path. Binoculars will be available for checkout. 

Crafts, games, and a self-guided activity booklet will be on hand for children to learn about birds and earn prizes. This year’s theme, “Shared Spaces,” will highlight small actions people can take to create space and care for birds, especially during migration. 

Learn more at AshlandParksandRec.org or call 541-488-5340. 

Cities publish summer activity guides 

The cities of Medford, Ashland and Central Point have published summer 2025 activities guides that include events, classes, outings and other activities. View Medford’s guide at playmedford.com, Ashland’s guide at bit.ly/3Yjyhyi and Central Point’s guide at bit.ly/42giLWN. 

Send us news about your upcoming event 

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. 

Shaun Hall is a freelance writer living in Grants Pass. Reach him at 541-761-6726 or shaunmichaelhall@gmail.com.