Work has begun to build about 5 miles of trails immediately northwest of Grants Pass as part of the city’s Dollar Mountain Trail Project. Trails on the east side of the mountain will be tackled.

The work is expected to last until the beginning of December and the public is asked to stay out of closed areas.

Take a hike with Medford parks and recreation

People ages 55 and older are invited to take a 3-mile hike on the Ridgeview to Ol’ Miners historical loop hike through Jacksonville’s Forest Park 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 24. Meet at Rogue X, 901 Rossanley Drive in Medford, and take a van to the trail. Cost is $18 for Medford residents, $24 for non-residents.

Other hikes are scheduled, including the Enchanted Forest on Oct. 1, Pacifica Gardens on Oct. 8, Fish Hatchery Park on Oct. 15 and others. Call 541-774-2400 for more information or visit playmedford.com (click on “Program Guide” and navigate to hike page). Register early, as space is limited.

Cities publish activities guides

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

Resort hosts fishing derby

Lake of the Woods Resort is scheduled to host a fishing derby 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by an outdoor barbecue from 3 to 7 p.m.

The resort is about an hour’s drive east of Medford, via Highway 140. More information is available at lakeofthewoodsresort.com or 541-949-8300.

Hang out with the birds of summer

See and hear a variety of birds that spend the summer in the Rogue Valley during an easy walk led by experts at 8 a.m. Saturday at North Mountain Park, 620 N. Mountain Ave., in Ashland.

Register at buff.ly/3XoeM8j (go to “Register” and search for “birds”). For more information, contact Ashland Parks and Recreation at 541-488-6606.

Central Point to host Hispanic celebration

The city of Central Point will host its second Hispanic Heritage Celebration 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at Twin Creeks Park, 555 Twin Creeks Crossing. The event will offer food trucks, live music, bounce houses, lotería games, prizes and information booths.

For more information, contact Central Point Parks and Recreation at 541-664-3321 or visit centralpointoregon.gov.

Help clean along Bear Creek

Volunteers are invited to participate in National Clean Up Day with the Bear Creek Stewards 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at nine locations along the Bear Creek Greenway from Central Point to Ashland.

Clean-up gear is available at check-in booths, although volunteers are encouraged to bring their own supplies, including gloves and tools.

To register, go to bearcreekstewards.org, or contact Brooke Amposta, ampostbc@jacksoncountyor.gov.

History meets harvest during festival

The Southern Oregon Historical Society is hosting its 14th annual “Harvest and Scarecrow Festival” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Hanley Farm, 1053 Hanley Road in Central Point.

Activities include pumpkin painting, apple bobbing, cider making and children’s games. Visitors may tour the historic Hanley house and farm. McKee Bridge Historical Society quilts will be on display. There will be scarecrow-making kits available for $20.

For more information, call 541-622-2025.

Farmer group to discuss climate stress

The Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center is hosting free hour-long online discussion group meetings for farmers who are experiencing stress or strong emotions related to how climate change is impacting their farm, ranch or agricultural job. Sessions are set for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 26, Oct. 10, Oct. 24, Nov. 7, Nov. 21 and Dec. 5.

The meetings are an opportunity for producers to learn about climate stress and grief and how to develop strategies for coping with them.

Each session is limited to 20 participants. Sign up for one or all at beav.es/puJ. Reach the Extension Service in Jackson County at 541-776-7371.

Vesper Meadow hosts creative types, tours, events

Restoration work projects are scheduled for Sept. 28, Oct. 5, 10 and 16 at the Vesper Meadow Education Preserve, 16534 Dead Indian Memorial Road. Also, a festival fundraiser is planned for 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.

Ride the Rogue River Greenway

The Rogue River Greenway Foundation’s annual Ride the Rogue cycling event and fundraiser is set for Sept. 28 beginning and ending at Palmerton Park in Rogue River. The event includes bicycle rides of 20 miles and more. All abilities are welcome.

Cost is $45-$85, depending on which ride is chosen. An after-ride party with music and refreshments is scheduled. Get details at ridetherogue.com. For more information, call 800-541-0925.

Plant a tree on national monument land

Join Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for a National Public Lands Day tree-planting event 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 28.

Volunteers will work in small groups planting aspen trees in the Wildcat Campground area at Hyatt Lake. The BLM will provide the tools, safety equipment and guidance.

Participants should meet at 9 a.m. at the Rite Aid, 2341 Ashland St., in Ashland and make their way to the monument from there. Carpooling is optional. More information is available at cascadesiskiyou.org or 541-378-3039.

Marine Board to discuss jet boats on Oct. 2 in Medford

The Oregon State Marine Board is scheduled to meet Oct. 2 in Medford to discuss possible jet boat restrictions on the Rogue River from the former location of Gold Ray Dam near Gold Hill to Lost Creek Reservoir.

The board will take public comment after first hearing invited presentations and testimony.

The board is scheduled to hold a work session beginning at 8:30 a.m. in Room HEC 129 A/B in the Higher Education Center at Rogue Community College’s Riverside Campus, 101 Bartlett St.

For more information, contact the board at 503-378-8587 or marine.board@boat.oregon.gov.

Help clean up Cantrall Buckley Park

The public is invited to join volunteers and the Applegate Partnership & Watershed Council for a clean up day on Sept. 28 at Cantrall Buckley Park, 154 Cantrall Road, outside Jacksonville. The event lasts from 9 a.m. to noon and is part of a statewide campaign supported by SOLVE Oregon.

The focus of the event will be the removal of debris and invasive species. Participants should bring work gloves and digging tools. Children are welcome. Meet at the area B parking lot.

For more information, contact Janis Mohr-Tipton, 541-846-7501 or go to applegatepartnership.org.

Applegate Siskiyou Alliance to host fundraiser

The Applegate Siskiyou Alliance is scheduled to host a food, music and silent auction fundraiser 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 29 at Red Lily Vineyards, 11777 Highway 238. Admission is $25 in advance or $30 at the door, with food and drinks extra.

The alliance is a nonprofit organization that promotes wildland conservation, ecological restoration, a sustainable economy and community engagement. For more information, visit applegatesiskiyou.org.

Land conservancy to host fundraiser

The Southern Oregon Land Conservancy is scheduled to hold its annual Conservation Celebration dinner and fundraiser 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites. Register by Sept. 20. Tickets are $100 per person.

The nonprofit, which is a land trust protecting more than 13,000 acres, also is scheduled to host an Open Lands Day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 19 at its Rogue River Preserve, 895-801 Rogue River Drive, near Eagle Point.

Register at landconserve.org.

Lithia Park tours offered through September

Take a free guided walk of 60-90 minutes through Lithia Park at 10 a.m. on Saturdays through the end of September. Meet at the Lithia Park sign at the entrance to the park across from the downtown plaza. For more information, visit ashlandoregon.gov or call 541-488-6002.

View salmon spawning during events

The Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center and Rogue Riverkeeper are hosting salmon spawning and viewing events 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 13 along the Applegate River and 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 28 along Bear Creek. In addition, a bicycle ride is planned 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 26 along the Bear Creek Greenway.

Topics of discussion will include the life history of salmon and what makes the Rogue River and its tributaries important habitat to sustain the species.

In another upcoming event, KS Wild will host their annual dinner and music celebration 5:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 19. Register for all events at rogueriverkeeper.org. Contact the organization at 541-488-9831.

Tour pioneer cemetery

Tour the I.O.O.F Eastwood Cemetery, 1581 Siskiyou Blvd., 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 9 and Nov. 11 with the city of Medford’s parks and recreation department. Meet at the mausoleum. The tour is free and limited to people 14 years and older. Advance registration is required. Call 541-774-2400 or visit playmedford.com.

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. Oct. 19 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 birding in the Monument

Learn about birding during a lecture-hike event 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 19, 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. The events were rescheduled from an earlier date. Register at cascadesiskiyou.org. Call 541-378-3039 for more information.

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.