Watershed Exploration Days

Explore the natural wonders of our beautiful region with fun tours, workshops and events. Festivals, hikes, activities and classes take place at various locations across Jackson County throughout the fall. Participating organizations are actively engaged in watershed education and issues and will also take part in the Bear Creek Salmon Festival on Saturday, October 1 at North Mountain Park in Ashland.



  • Mt Ashland Slope Care Day
    Date: September 10
    Time: 9am to 1pm
    Location: Mt Ashland Ski Area (meet at the lodge)
    Description: Volunteer activities for all ages and abilities from erosion control to planting or gathering seeds. Carpooling is encouraged. Bring water, work gloves, cold weather clothes (can be 20 degrees cooler up on the mountain), sunscreen, long sleeves and a hat. Snacks and refreshments will be served at 1pm.
    Contact Information: Sponsored by Mt Ashland Ski Area. For more info visit their Volunteer Event page.
    Website: MtAshland.com
    Cost: FREE


  • McGregor Park Nature Center…Salmon Viewing
    Date: September 10
    Time: 10am to 5pm
    Location: McGregor Park Nature Center, near Lost Creek Lake, off Hwy 62
    Description: Visit the nature center to learn about the salmon lifecycle. View salmon spawning in the Rogue River, Park Rangers on hand to answer questions. All trails and facilities fully accessible, picnic areas, hiking trails, wildlife viewing and fishing. Bring your own drinking water, none is available.
    Contact Information: Sponsored by BLM/Army Corps of Engineers. For more info contact Molly Allen at BLM at 541.618.2468 or call the McGregor Park Nature Center at 541.878.3800.
    Website: BLM.gov/OR/Districts/Medford
    Cost: FREE


  • September Float Trip
    Date: September 18
    Time: 12 to 3pm
    Location: Rogue River… Touvell to Fisher's Ferry
    Description: Learn about native fish and their future in the Rogue watershed. Bring a water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, a hat and river shoes. Please no alcohol. PFDs required. Riverkeeper will provide PFDs for people in their boats. They also invite those with their own rafts, kayaks, drift boats, SUPs etc., to float with them as well. Mild, but fun section of river, Class I-II. Space is limited to 18 people. Reservations are required.
    Contact Information: Sponsored by Rogue Riverkeeper. Please RSVP/Register by contacting Robyn at 541.488.9831 or email. Meeting location will be given upon registration.
    Website: RogueRiverKeeper.org
    Cost: Suggested donation $10 for current members, or $35 suggested membership donation for non-members.


  • Salmon Spiral and Water Wishes, Community Art Project
    Date: September 21
    Time: 3 to 5:30pm
    Location: North Mountain Park, 620 N Mountain Ave in Ashland
    Description: You can help create a landscape-scale/stone spiral labyrinth in preparation for the 12th Annual Bear Creek Salmon Festival on October 1. The spiral will be used as a focal point for this year's theme. All ages are welcome; children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. Work gloves and guidance will be provide. The art project will be led by North Mountain Park staff.
    Contact Information: Please pre-register online or call the North Mountain Park Nature Center at 541.488.6606.
    Website: NorthMountainPark.org
    Cost: FREE


  • SOLVE Clean-up Event
    Date: September 24
    Time: 9am to 12pm
    Location: Bear Creek Greenway from Barnett Rd to McAndrews Rd
    Description: Please check back for more information.
    Contact Information: Sponsored by Rogue Valley Counci of Governments. Check back for more info.
    Website: SolveOregon.orgRVCOG.org
    Cost: FREE


  • National Public Lands Day: Rogue River Clean-up
    Date: September 24
    Time: 9am to 1pm
    Location: Multiple locations… see contact info
    Description: In stream and on land clean…up over 13 miles of the Rogue River. Many meeting locations. Free Picnic lunch and volunteer appreciation. Boat space is limited, please register early. Gloves, bags, first aid and guidence provided.
    Contact Information: Sponsored by BLM, Seven Basins Water Council, Rogue River Water Council, Rogue Riverkeeper, Rogue River Basin Partnership, Master Recyclers and SOLVE. For more information and to REGISTER, please contact Gail Perrotti at 541.601.4202, or email.
    Cost: FREE


  • Deer-Resistant & Drought-Tolerant Plants of the Rogue Valley
    Date: September 29
    Time: 6 to 7:30pm
    Location: North Mountain Park Nature Center at 620 N Mountain Ave in Ashland
    Description: Do you have deer for neighbors? Well, even if you do, there are ways to have a beautiful garden. In this class you can check out plant selections carefully curated by Shooting Star Nursery, a local expert in deer and drought-tolerant plants. This program is for ages 15 & up and will be taught by Christie Mackinson who is a landscape designer and co-owner of Shooting Star Nursery in Central Point.
    Contact Information: Sponsored by North Mountain Park, a division of the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission. Register online or call the North Mountain Park Nature Center at 541.488.6606. Pre-registration is required.
    Website: NorthMountainPark.org
    Cost: $18


  • Oregon Stewardship Bear Creek Work Parties
    Dates: Saturday Mornings in October
    Time: Varies
    Location: Bear Creek in the Medford area
    Description: The community is invited to join Oregon Stewardship in cleaning up Bear Creek. Students from South Medford High School work almost every Saturday.
    Contact Information: Sponsored by Oregon Stewardship, please email Carla for the most up to date information.
    Website: OregonStewardship.org
    Cost: FREE


  • See Our Salmon
    Dates: October 8
    Time: Please call for exact times
    Location: Valley of the Rogue State Park, I-5, Gold Hill
    Description: Join the Seven Basins Watershed Council and our partners for this free event and enjoy interactive activities for all ages. Talk to a fish biologist on the salmon viewing platform, collect macro-invertebrates, learn about invasive weeds, Monarch Butterflies, fish dissection, listen to stories in the salmon tent, enjoy the river and much more. Bring a lunch or snacks to enjoy in the picnic area. Light refreshments providied.
    Contact Information: Sponsored by Seven Basins Watershed Council, please call 541.601.4202 for more information.
    Cost: FREE


  • Salmon Viewing Walks on Bear Creek
    Dates: October 9, 15, 16 &/or 18
    Time: Please call for exact times
    Location: Information will be provided upon registration
    Description: Educational, leisurely walks to see salmon migration.
    Contact Information: Sponsored by Rogue Riverkeeper. To RSVP/Register, or for additional information, please contact Robyn at 541.488.9831 or email. Meeting location will be given upon registration.
    Website: RogueRiverKeeper.org
    Cost: FREE


  • Kids & Creeks
    Dates: October 15
    Time: 11am to 3pm
    Location: Bear Creek Park in Medford
    Description: Discover the wonderful world of Bear Creek with hands-on exploration and activities. Join us for stream-sampling, fly-tying and casting, salmon views, salmon dissection and more!
    Contact Information: Sponsored by Rogue River Watershed Council, Bear Creek Watershed Education Partners and Rogue Valley Council of Governments
    Website: RVCOG.org
    Cost: FREE


  • Native Shrub & Tree Plant along Wagner Creek
    Dates: October 22
    Time: 8am to 1pm
    Location: Alongside Old Bridge in Talent Ave
    Description: Help plant native trees and shrubs along Wagner Creek in Talent. Help trim back invasive and non-native plants, mulching and beautifying this lovely strethc of fish and pollinator habitat. Come for half an hour, or half a day. All are welcome. Please bring gloves, pruners, shovels, or rakes if you have them.
    Contact Information: Sponsored by Friends of Wagner Creek. For more information please call Cynthia Care at 541.324.3094.
    Cost: FREE


  • Naturescaping: Provide Wildlife Habitat around the Home and in Your Backyard
    Date: Octboer 22
    Time: 9am to 1pm
    Location: North Mountain Park Nature Center at 620 N Mountain Ave in Ashland
    Description: Learn about planting native trees and shrubs that will produce flowers or fruits. Discover how to use bird boxes and ideas to provide habitat for reptiles and amphibians. The instructor, Dan Van Dyke, has 30 years as a wildlife biologist and practices Naturescaping at his home. Dan has taught Naturescaping classes throughout the Southern Oregon region. This class is for ages 14 & up. Concepts of stewardship will also be discussed. Come learn how to benefit our native wildlife in your backyard!
    Contact Information: Sponsored by North Mountain Park, a division of the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission. Register online or call the North Mountain Park Nature Center at 541.488.6606. Pre-registration is required.
    Website: NorthMountainPark.org
    Cost: $5


  • Salmon Viewing Walks in Illinois Valley
    Dates: October 23 & 30
    Time: Please call for exact times
    Location: Information will be provided upon registration
    Description: Educational, leisurely walks to see salmon migration.
    Contact Information: Sponsored by Rogue Riverkeeper. To RSVP/Register, or for additional information, please contact Robyn at 541.488.9831 or email. Meeting location will be given upon registration.
    Website: RogueRiverKeeper.org
    Cost: FREE


  • Lawn Gone: How to Transform Your Lawn into a Drought-Tolerant Landscape
    Date: Octboer 25
    Time: 6 to 8pm
    Location: North Mountain Park Nature Center at 620 N Mountain Ave in Ashland
    Description: Our wet season when plants are dormant is the perfect season for yard transformations.This class will cover lawn removal, sheet mulching, site assessment, design and planning your garden. We will cover both drought tolerant pollinator landscapes and edible plants. This class is for ages 12 & up. Part of the class will be outside, please dress for the weather. Taught by the owner of Lawn Gone Yard Transformations, Kimberly Brown.
    Contact Information: Sponsored by North Mountain Park, a division of the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission. Register online or call the North Mountain Park Nature Center at 541.488.6606. Pre-registration is required.
    Website: NorthMountainPark.org
    Cost: $25


  • Native Shrub & Tree Plant along Wagner Creek
    Dates: October 29
    Time: 8am to 1pm
    Location: Next to SOS Plumbing on Highway 99
    Description: Help plant native trees and shrubs along Wagner Creek in Talent. Help trim back invasive and non-native plants, mulching and beautifying this lovely strethc of fish and pollinator habitat. Come for half an hour, or half a day. All are welcome. Please bring gloves, pruners, shovels, or rakes if you have them.
    Contact Information: Sponsored by Friends of Wagner Creek. For more information please call Cynthia Care at 541.324.3094. The Friends of Wagner Creek are a community group actively working to improve the natural beauty and livability of the town of Talent. Wagner Creek Park is a small park off Rapp Road that was created after the 1996-1997 floods wiped out the homes located in this location.
    Cost: FREE


  • Riparian Restoration Work Party on Bear Creek
    Originally scheduled for November 5, this work party has been merged with the Native Shrub & Tree Plant along Wagner Creek, on October 29. Please see info above.


  • Riparian Restoration Work Party with Friends of Wagner Creek
    Dates: TBA
    Time: TBA
    Location: TBA
    Description: Lend a hand in improving both the native plant community and habitat it provides for fish, wildlife and pollinators, as well as creating a place where local residents and their children can experience Wagner creek. The work party will be hand weeding and mulching around previous plantings as well as placing some new plantings in key areas. Tools, snacks and instruction will be provided. Event will be held rain or shine!
    Contact Information: Sponsored by Friends of Wagner Creek. For more information please contact Eugene Wier, Restoration Project Manager for the Freshwater Trust, at 541.227.9858 or email. The Friends of Wagner Creek are a community group actively working to improve the natural beauty and livability of the town of Talent. Wagner Creek Park is a small park off Rapp Road that was created after the 1996-1997 floods wiped out the homes located in this location.
    Cost: FREE


  • Jackson County Firewood Project Work Party
    Dates: TBA
    Time: TBA
    Location: TBA
    Description: TBA
    Contact Information: Sponsored by Jackson County Firewood Project. For more information please contact Bill Jennet via email.
    Cost: FREE


  • Ashland Forest Resiliency Tour
    Dates: TBA
    Time: TBA
    Location: TBA
    Description: TBA
    Contact Information: Sponsored by the Ashland Fire and Rescue/Forest Division. For more information please contact Chris Chambers via email.
    Website: AshlandWatershed.org
    Cost: FREE


  • Back to top
    HOME