Meet the charismatic and itty-bitty flora of the Agate Desert Preserve with Botanist and Stewardship Director, Kristi Mergenthaler.
Why is Pompadour Bluff such a prominent feature in our valley? We’ll learn why with Karen Grove, Geologist, as we examine the sedimentary rocks of the bluff and climb to the top to see how these rocks fit in with the rest of the valley. We’ll explore how, over time, our region transitioned from an ocean to a river plain, then a series of active volcanoes, to what we see today.
Explore the rocks and cliffs of The Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff!
Tour the spectacular Pompadour Bluff just outside of Ashland on a guided hike by Steve Wise, Executive Director. Walk through the beautiful oaks and grasslands before reaching the top where the views are outtasight!
Join us in April for our Open Lands Day at the beautiful Rogue River Preserve!
Please, look up! There is so much to see in the trees, from the birds to the bees in the Jacksonville Woodlands. We will hike around to zoom in on all things with wings! Education and Engagement Specialist, Myco Schroeder, will guide the hike while offering fun facts along the way. Binoculars will be available for check out as well!
Join Kristi Mergenthaler, Botanist and Stewardship Director, for a presentation about the botanical significance of Eight Dollar Mountain.
See the serpentine soils at Eight Dollar Mountain Preserve in the Illinois Valley! Learn about what makes serpentine habitats and their species so special, and what mining threats this region could potentially have on the horizon.
Join Vince Zauskey, Local Bird Expert, for an evening walk at the Rogue River Preserve to learn about some of our regional owls. Vince will talk about what makes owls so special and ‘who’ you might see at the Rogue River Preserve. Seeing an owl is not guaranteed, but it will still be a hoot.
Join SOLC's Nature Journaling Club on their May Excursion to Whetstone Savanna Preserve! Whether you're a seasoned journaler or a first-timer, you're invited to slow down, tune in, and be amazed, using the simple but powerful practice of nature journaling.
Our Annual Member Picnic is right around the corner!
Join us in June for Open Lands Day at the beautiful Rogue River Preserve.
Event details to come…
Join us in October for Open Lands Day at the beautiful Rogue River Preserve!
Southern Oregon Land Conservancy is hosting a Free Nature Pub Talk titled, “Snakes: Natural History and Conservation” on Wednesday, March 25, from 6pm to 7:30pm at Art Bop Beer Co in Talent (102 Talent Avenue). The goal of the Nature Pub Talk Series is to foster connections to the local natural world.
Ready to try plein air sketching or painting? Kaz Chandler will show you her favorite strategies for creating something creative outdoors at the beyond peaceful Whetstone Savanna Preserve, and guide you in understanding the basics of plein air to create your own unique expression. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a first-timer, you're invited to join in on the fun. Please bring your own painting or sketching supplies.
Join lichenologist and naturalist John Villella for an exploration of the lichens at the Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff near Ashland. We will identify lichens growing on trees, shrubs, soil, and rocks, and we may see some rare species. Free, but please register for more information and to reserve a space. We will meet in Ashland to carpool or caravan. Please bring a hand lens if you have one.
Join us for a winter hike at the Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff just outside of Ashland on a hike guided by SOLC staff. Walk though beautiful oaks and grasslands to the top of the bluff for spectacular views of Bear Creek Valley, the Cascades and the Siskiyou Mountains. Free, but please register for more information and to reserve a spot. We will meet in Ashland to carpool or caravan.
Eight Dollar Mountain is an iconic serpentine conical mountain in the Illinois Valley and one of the most significant botanical hotspots in Southwest Oregon. Its ultramafic soils, derived from mantle rocks, support an extraordinary concentration of rare, endemic, and state- and federally listed plant species—many of which occur nowhere else on Earth, and some known only from the Illinois Valley. This otherworldly landscape long served as a living laboratory for researchers studying endemism, adaptation, and ecological resilience.
Kick off the new year with a blissful visit to the incredible Rogue River Preserve! The Rogue River Preserve includes two miles of riverfront along the Rogue River, a large floodplain forest, and oak woodlands with meadows. It is only open to the public during special events, work parties, and youth education programs. So, come and take advantage of this special opportunity and explore the trails at your own pace, attend a guided hike, bring a picnic lunch or thermos of tea to enjoy by the river, or all three.
To limit crowding on the trails, registration is free and required for hikes or self-guided exploration for the day. Guided hike participants are welcome to explore the property before or after their hike slot. Check out what we’ve got going on!
The Southern Oregon Land Conservancy (SOLC) is excited to announce a community science initiative where volunteers can band together to observe and record the immense diversity of winged creatures in our region while building community.
Paul Bannick is thrilled to launch and share more about his new book, Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers.
Consider lending a hand for our beautiful wildlife at the Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff!
Our wonderful team of volunteers will be removing old farm and barbed wire fencing. The goal is to replace the perimeter fencing with a wildlife-friendly smooth wire fence to serve as a good neighbor for our human and wildlife friends.
November Mushroom Hike
Date and time: November 15, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Approximately 2.2 miles up Shale City Rd.
Details: Explore the funtastic world of fungi on a mushroom hike with SOLC staff. We will be identifying different species and sharing characteristics of our fall-fruiting varieties. Bring rain-jackets, boots, and a small basket or cloth bag for collecting specimens.
Directions: Head east on Indian Memorial Rd. for 13 miles. Go left on Shale City rd. for 2.2 miles. Parking will be on the left side of the road.
Car Pool Details: Meet at Rite Aid in So. Ashland at 9:00 a.m. and arrive at location by 9:30 a.m. We will then leave close to 12:30 and arrive back at Rite Aid by 1:00 p.m.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.
REGISTRATION IS FULL FOR THIS HIKE
You’re invited to kick-off the season of giving with a FREE event at the SOLC office Community Room!
Save the Date for Open Lands Day at the Rogue River Preserve…
Come see the marked beauty of Pompadour Bluff at the first edge of autumn!
Our 2025 Conservation Celebration is right around the corner - get your tickets today!
Join us for an exciting day at Vesper Meadow Restoration Preserve for a community effort to restore habitat!
A legacy of cattle grazing has littered the landscape with broken down fences that make it dangerous for wildlife to move through large swaths of conserved lands, and we need your help with removing this hazard. Come get to know your fellow community volunteers and take part in a greater movement for land stewardship in Southern Oregon. It's a fun and easy way to find satisfaction in a day's work. All fence materials will be upcycled to make a sculpture by Vesper Meadow Artist-in-Partnership, Gabriel Barerra.
Spring on spongy soils at the Sharon Fen Preserve!
Explore Cobra Lily Springs, our new preserve on Eight Dollar Mountain with Naturalists, Norm Barrett and Gary Schaffer. We will document all of the flying creatures, especially dragonflies and damselflies that use the cobra-lily wetlands, streams, meadows, and woodlands.
Enjoy the beauty of one of the newest properties associated with Vesper Meadow's Education Program! Breath deep with a movement and meditation practice in the dense forest before crossing into the expansive meadow to help remove invasive yellow star thistle. This hike is in coordination with Vesper Meadows’s Healing Landscapes. "As we heal the land, the land heals us."
Explore Cobra Lily Springs, our new preserve on Eight Dollar Mountain with Botanist and Stewardship Director, Kristi Mergenthaler, and meet some lovely plants only known in the Illinois Valley. We will visit cobra lily wetlands, or fens, and pine woodland, and discuss our long term plans for this exceptional place.
Consider lending a hand for our beautiful wildlife at the Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff! Our wonderful team of volunteers will be pulling starthistle.
Open Lands Day at the Rogue River Preserve, Saturday, June 14, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Join us for a beautiful visit to the incredible Rogue River Preserve! The Rogue River Preserve includes two miles of riverfront along the Rogue River, a large floodplain forest, and oak woodlands with meadows. It is only open to the public during special events, work parties, and youth education programs. So, come and take advantage of this special opportunity and explore the trails at your own pace, attend a guided hike, bring a picnic lunch or thermos of tea to enjoy by the river, or all three.
Join us for the 2025 Annual All Member Picnic! We're excited to celebrate 47 years of incredible land conservation with our supporters, you.
Registration Opens
Wednesday, April 30, 7:00 a.m. (Click Here to Register)
Description
Join us for an exploration of insect biodiversity at Bear Gulch Preserve! Led by Jacob Youngblood, Assistant Professor of Biology at Southern Oregon University, this guided hike will focus on grasshopper diversity, introducing the many species that can be found in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Learn how to identify local species while discovering their essential roles in our local ecosystems.
Date and Time
Saturday, June 1, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Meeting Location
Rite Aid Parking Lot, 2341 Ashland Street, Ashland, OR 97520 (Carpool to Bear Gulch Preserve)
Focus
Grasshoppers
Guide
Jacob Youngblood, Assistant Professor of Biology, Southern Oregon University
Hiker Limit
15 Hikers
Difficulty
Moderate to Difficult, Low Speed, Hike Off-Trail, Uneven Terrain, Elevation Gain of 600 Feet
Visitors will be walking on roads, jeep roads, and cross country for up to two miles.
Bathroom
None
Pet Policy
This property is protected to conserve special habitats. Therefore, we kindly ask that you leave your pets at home. Certified Assistance Dogs that have been certified at a training facility by an Assistance Dogs International, Inc. will be the only dogs that are allowed.
Registration Opens
Wednesday, April 23, 7:00 a.m. (Click Here to Register)
Description
Spring on spongy soils at the Sharon Fen Preserve! This hike with Rebekah Bergkoetter, Stewardship Manager, will include an expansive view of a unique landform, a brief history of the geologic history, and discussions about the general ecology of this particular type of wetland. With favorable conditions, there is also an opportunity to see infrastructure from decades past and to test the load bearing qualities of floating mats of moss.
Date and Time
Sunday, May 25, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Meeting Location
Rite Aid Parking Lot, 2341 Ashland Street, Ashland, OR 97520 (Carpooling Required for Sharon Fen Preserve)
Focus
General Ecology
Guide
Rebekah Bergkoetter, Stewardship Manager, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
Hiker Limit
10 Hikers
Difficulty
Difficult, Low Speed, Hiking Off-Trail, Uneven Terrain
Visitors will be walking on difficult terrain that may require bending and long strides. There will also be an opportunity to walk onto the fen, which is unstable and wet.
Bathroom
None
Pet Policy
This property is protected to conserve special habitats. Therefore, we kindly ask that you leave your pets at home. Certified Assistance Dogs that have been certified at a training facility by an Assistance Dogs International, Inc. will be the only dogs that are allowed.
Registration Opens
Wednesday, April 23, 7:00 a.m. (Click Here to Register)
Description
Meet our newest preserve located in the Colestin Valley and the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument! We will explore the oak woodlands, cliffs, scablands, and forests by car and on foot and see a unique community of vagrant lichens.
Date and Time
Saturday, May 24, 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Meeting Location
Rite Aid Parking Lot, 2341 Ashland Street, Ashland, OR 97520 (Carpool to Bear Gulch Preserve)
Focus
Introduction to Bear Gulch, Wildflowers, Lichens
Guide
Kristi Mergenthaler, Botanist and Stewardship Director, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
Hiker Limit
15 Hikers
Difficulty
Moderate to Difficult, Low Speed, Hike Off-Trail, Uneven Terrain, Elevation Gain of 600 Feet
Visitors will be walking on roads, jeep roads, and cross country for up to two miles.
Bathroom
None
Pet Policy
This property is protected to conserve special habitats. Therefore, we kindly ask that you leave your pets at home. Certified Assistance Dogs that have been certified at a training facility by an Assistance Dogs International, Inc. will be the only dogs that are allowed.
Registration Opens
Wednesday, April 23, 7:00 a.m. (Click Here to Register)
Description
Explore the rocks and cliffs of The Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff!
Tour the spectacular Pompadour Bluff just outside of Ashland on a guided hike by Steve Wise, Executive Director. Walk through the beautiful oaks and grasslands before reaching the top where the views are outtasight!
In 2021, we were honored to be gifted an iconic landmark of the Southern Bear Creek Valley, The Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff. Harry Fisher bequeathed this 55-acre property to SOLC in his will. Read more about what makes this scenic place so special and how you can support its conservation.
Date and Time
Wednesday, May 21, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Meeting Location
Rite Aid Parking Lot, 2341 Ashland Street, Ashland, OR 97520 (Carpool to Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff)
Focus
Introduction to Pompadour Bluff, Ecology, Future Plans for Pompadour Bluff
Guide
Steve Wise, Executive Director, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
Hiker Limit
15 Hikers
Difficulty
Moderate to Difficult, Low Speed, Hike Off-Trail, Uneven Terrain, Steep Slopes, Elevation Gain of 280 Feet
Visitors will be walking on and off trail on steep slopes at a slow pace. There will be no more than one mile of walking.
Bathroom
None
Pet Policy
This property is protected to conserve special habitats. Therefore, we kindly ask that you leave your pets at home. Certified Assistance Dogs that have been certified at a training facility by an Assistance Dogs International, Inc. will be the only dogs that are allowed.
Registration Opens
Wednesday, April 16, 7:00 a.m. (Click Here to Register)
Description
Enjoy a leisurely stroll and learn more about the Illinois Valley at the Rough and Ready Creek Preserve with Rebekah Bergkoetter, Stewardship Manager, and Molly Morison, Board Vice President. Both will discuss serpentine soils, specialized species living in the area, and a brief history about an invasive plant at the preserve.
Date and Time
Saturday, May 17, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Meeting Location
33096 Redwood Highway, O'Brien, OR 97534 - Carpooling Available from the SOLC Office
Focus
Introduction to Rough and Ready Creek, Ecology
Guide
Rebekah Bergkoetter, Stewardship Manager, and Molly Morrison, Board Vice President, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
Hiker Limit
15 Hikers
Difficulty
Easy to Moderate, Fairly Flat, Uneven Terrain
Visitors will walk on a dirt trail with one ditch crossing and cobble bars. There will be no more than two miles of walking.
Bathroom
None
Pet Policy
This property is protected to conserve special habitats. Therefore, we kindly ask that you leave your pets at home. Certified Assistance Dogs that have been certified at a training facility by an Assistance Dogs International, Inc. will be the only dogs that are allowed.
Registration Opens
Wednesday, April 9, 7:00 a.m. (Click Here to Register)
Description
Explore the rocks and cliffs of The Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff!
Tour the spectacular Pompadour Bluff just outside of Ashland on a guided hike by Wyatt Stein, Land Steward. Walk through the beautiful oaks and grasslands before reaching the top where the views are outtasight!
In 2021, we were honored to be gifted an iconic landmark of the Southern Bear Creek Valley, The Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff. Harry Fisher bequeathed this 55-acre property to SOLC in his will. Read more about what makes this scenic place so special and how you can support its conservation.
Date and Time
Wednesday, May 7, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Meeting Location
Rite Aid Parking Lot, 2341 Ashland Street, Ashland, OR 97520 (Carpool to Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff)
Focus
Introduction to Pompadour Bluff, Ecology, Future Plans for Pompadour Bluff
Guide
Wyatt Stein, Land Steward, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
Hiker Limit
15 Hikers
Difficulty
Moderate to Difficult, Low Speed, Hike Off-Trail, Uneven Terrain, Steep Slopes, Elevation Gain of 280 Feet
Visitors will be walking on and off trail on steep slopes at a slow pace. There will be no more than one mile of walking.
Bathroom
None
Pet Policy
This property is protected to conserve special habitats. Therefore, we kindly ask that you leave your pets at home. Certified Assistance Dogs that have been certified at a training facility by an Assistance Dogs International, Inc. will be the only dogs that are allowed.
Registration Opens
Wednesday, April 9, 7:00 a.m. (Click Here to Register)
Description
Ready to try plein air sketching or painting? Sarah F. Burns will show you her favorite strategies for creating artwork outdoors at the spectacular Pompadour Bluff and guide you in understanding color and light to create your own unique expression. This is a great opportunity for artists with some experience, but all are welcome to attend. Please bring your own painting or sketching supplies. Sarah will provide a list of suggestions upon registration.
Before painting, artists will have the opportunity to tour Pompadour Bluff on a guided hike by Kristi Mergenthaler, Botanist and Stewardship Director. Walk through the beautiful oaks and grasslands before reaching the top where the views are outtasight!
In 2021, we were honored to be gifted an iconic landmark of the Southern Bear Creek Valley, The Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff. Harry Fisher bequeathed this 55-acre property to SOLC in his will. Read more about what makes this scenic place so special and how you can support its conservation.
Date and Time
Wednesday, May 7, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Tour of Pompadour Bluff)
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Paint Out at Pompadour Bluff)
Due to the accessibility of Pompadour Bluff, please expect to stay for the entire time. If you are unable to stay the entire time, then please drive seperately. There will not be any in and out access.
Meeting Location
Rite Aid Parking Lot, 2341 Ashland Street, Ashland, OR 97520 (Carpool to Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff)
Focus
Plein Air Painting, Introduction to Pompadour Bluff, Ecology, Future Plans for Pompadour Bluff
Guide
Sarah F Burns, Local Artist, and Kristi Mergenthaler, Stewardship Director, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
Hiker Limit
15 Hikers
Difficulty
Moderate to Difficult, Low Speed, Hike Off-Trail, Uneven Terrain, Steep Slopes, Elevation Gain of 280 Feet
Visitors will be walking on and off trail on steep slopes at a slow pace. There will be no more than one mile of walking.
Bathroom
None
Pet Policy
This property is protected to conserve special habitats. Therefore, we kindly ask that you leave your pets at home. Certified Assistance Dogs that have been certified at a training facility by an Assistance Dogs International, Inc. will be the only dogs that are allowed.
Registration Opens
Wednesday, April 2, 7:00 a.m. (Click Here to Register)
Description
Explore the natural history of the Jacksonville Woodlands with Myco Schroeder, Education and Engagement Specialist. We will hike along the riparian area along Jackson Creek and up into the Oak Woodlands. Come bask in the beauty of spring wildflowers and views of the Siskiyou and Cascade Mountains while Myco shares stories about the interconnectedness of these scenic woods.
Date and Time
Sunday, May 4, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Meeting Location
Jacksonville Woodlands (Parking Lot Behind Britt Festival)
Focus
Natural History, Ecology, Madrone Trees
Guide
Myco Schroeder, Education and Engagement Specialist, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
Hiker Limit
15 Hikers
Difficulty
Moderate, Low Speed, Uneven Terrain
Visitors will be walking on moderate to difficult trails with rocky and uneven terrain. There will be no more than two and a half miles of walking with several stops in between.
Bathroom
None
Pet Policy
This property is protected to conserve special habitats. Therefore, we kindly ask that you leave your pets at home. Certified Assistance Dogs that have been certified at a training facility by an Assistance Dogs International, Inc. will be the only dogs that are allowed.
Meet the charismatic and itty-bitty flora of the Agate Desert Preserve with Botanist and Stewardship Director, Kristi Mergenthaler.
Why is Pompadour Bluff such a prominent feature in our valley? We’ll learn why with Karen Grove, Geologist, as we examine the sedimentary rocks of the bluff and climb to the top to see how these rocks fit in with the rest of the valley. We’ll explore how, over time, our region transitioned from an ocean to a river plain, then a series of active volcanoes, to what we see today.
Explore the rocks and cliffs of The Harry & Marilyn Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff!
Tour the spectacular Pompadour Bluff just outside of Ashland on a guided hike by Steve Wise, Executive Director. Walk through the beautiful oaks and grasslands before reaching the top where the views are outtasight!
Join us in April for our Open Lands Day at the beautiful Rogue River Preserve!
Please, look up! There is so much to see in the trees, from the birds to the bees in the Jacksonville Woodlands. We will hike around to zoom in on all things with wings! Education and Engagement Specialist, Myco Schroeder, will guide the hike while offering fun facts along the way. Binoculars will be available for check out as well!
Join Kristi Mergenthaler, Botanist and Stewardship Director, for a presentation about the botanical significance of Eight Dollar Mountain.
Nature Talks on YouTube
Enjoy recordings of our past Nature Talks. Each event has multiple presenters. From our local national trails, to new SOLC conserved lands, to special species, to tracking animals in the snow - you’ll gain knowledge to impress all your friends.
SOLC hosted the annual Land Trust Education Leadership Summit, an event that brings together land-based education program staff for a week of connecting, visioning, and strategic planning. This year’s 22 participants (including two from SOLC!) represented organizations from Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, and Maine.
Moles are small and objectively cute mammals in the family Talpidae, a group best known for the raised tunnels and molehills they create in soil. These misunderstood velvet potatoes are often considered garden pests, although moles play an important ecological role in the environment and possess remarkable adaptations for life underground.
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84 Fourth Street (office)
PO Box 954
Ashland, OR 97520
info@landconserve.org
541.482.3069
