Sunday, January 4th, 2026
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Explore, discover, and enjoy. Kick off the new year with a blissful visit to the incredible Rogue River Preserve!
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.
Self-Guided Explorations
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Check out field guides, binoculars, and other gear from our lending library and chat with docents along the trail to learn as you explore. Alternatively, you can walk the trails at your own pace, take photos, go birding, draw, or relax on a bench. This is a wonderful opportunity for families.
Become a Bird Surveyor with Myco Schroeder
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Interested in volunteering with us as a bird surveryor? Join Myco Schroeder, Education and Engagement Specialist, as they provide orientation for the three areas of the Rogue River Preserve where monthly bird surveys will be taking place, all while birding at the same time! If you are new to birding or are an expert birder, come along to support this new community science initiative. We will cover best practices while using eBird and Merlin Bird ID apps, and develop a bird checklist to be submitted to eBird, one of the largest repositories of biodiversity data in the world.
Hey Bud Winter Plant Walk with Kristi Mergenthaler
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join Kristi Mergenthaler, Stewardship Director, and learn how to identify plants during the winter using clues like buds, twigs, fruits, and stalks. We will explore the native plants of the floodplain forest while walking slowly. Please bring a hand lens or you can borrow one from us. Don't forget to bundle up and bring layers.
