Become familiar with best practices in collecting seeds of native plants and bring something home to grow in your garden. Participants will gain hands-on experience in plant identification and discuss strategies for cleaning and storing seed. A fun and informative introduction for restoration managers, ecology students, and pollinator garden enthusiasts.

Join the community survey for the Oregon Vesper Sparrow. Estimated to be down to 2,000-3,000 individuals, and declining by 5% per year, it is one of North America's most imperiled birds. We need community volunteers to participate in monitoring this species. No experience necessary.

Come join for a day of fun and volunteering with our public butterfly survey! No experience necessary, we’ll go over the basic protocol and help with butterfly ID. Participants will learn local species and help contribute to scientific understanding of the meadow pre-restoration activities.

Your efforts are needed to support the vision of a community-powered creek and meadow restoration project. We'll be working on restoring the native plant community for pollinator and wildlife habitat, and for youth education programs. We'll work while we walk, collecting native plant seed and pulling invasive weed species.

Elva and Crystal’s research marks the launch of Vesper Meadow community science monitoring programs and is designed to be continued in public programs for years to come. Come hear these two “quick talks” and stories they amassed along the way: from caddisfly larvae in their stone homes, getting stranded while searching for signs of beaver, and pounding in metal posts for reference points in the snow.

Join in good company with the community stewardship crew at Vesper Meadow - and some do a little something that is right-by-the-land!

participate in surveys for butterfly diversity, take inventory of blooms, and help establish the baseline information to guide wildlife habitat restoration efforts.

we'll be hosting a public walking tour through the meadow: expect scenic views, the height of summer flowers, and a little dose of land stewardship to top it off. Many hands will help with a quick clipping of young end-buds of Canada Thistle near to the aspen tree groves.

Join local butterfly expert, Linda Kappan at Vesper Meadow - a prime lepidopteran habitat. It is known habitat for the imperiled Mardon Skipper, as well as a diversity of meadow and forest-edge species. Join us for a joyous day out in the field to learn about these fascinating pollinators and the plants that they love.

Join the wild pollinator hunt in this Vesper Meadow and BeeGirl Organization collaboration! We’ll start with a walking tour and intro to the Vesper Meadow Program, participate in bee and butterfly surveys, take a beehive tour, and enjoy a prepared picnic lunch and finish with a honey tasting.

Join the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy and Vesper Meadow Education Program for a family-friendly morning of nature-sketching under broad skies and among meadow flowers. Views of Mt. McLaughlin, songs of Dead Indian Creek, and elegant groves of aspen are sure to inspire. 

Vesper Meadow Education Program is offering a one-day field workshop on photopoint monitoring through the Oregon State University’s Land Stewardship Program. Photo monitoring is an easy and inexpensive way to show landscape changes over time. Participants will gain hands-on experience in data collection and discuss strategies for creating volunteer/community involvement opportunities.

Led by Artist-in-partnership and writer Tuula Rebhahn, we will enjoy discussion and creative writing in an ourdoor workshop. With a personal essay focus, we'll explore the theme of restoration in the landscape context of ecological restoration as well as for cultivation of personal benefit.

Participate in surveys for butterfly diversity, take inventory of blooms, and help establish the baseline information to guide wildlife habitat restoration efforts.

Prior experience with plant and/or butterfly identification recommended but not required.

We’ll take an early morning stroll along the forest and meadow edge to explore birds during the early breeding season. We’ll talk about our participatory community science programs and utilize bird sighting for the online eBird project

We’re hosting a two day event to create nature-inspired art and to connect experienced artists with youth interested in developing their art skills. Sweeping views of Mt. McLaughlin, songs of the gurgling creek, and spring birds and flowers will inspire all visitors to Vesper Meadow.

Join us for a spring wild plant and fungi hunt. We’ll search for succulent green shoots, and prized morel mushrooms.

Its a field day for the whole family! We’ll be searching for aquatic insects, observing mammal tracks in the mud, and enjoying streamside bird habitat in the wide open wetland meadow.

Bring your young ones and join us for early spring at Vesper Meadow, learn how we are studying stream health, partake in water sampling, explore the little creatures that live in the creek, and get a little muddy along the way!

Walk and learn about the geologic forces that created the Dead Indian Plateau, and how the current ecology reflects the interplay between the geology and plant community. Located in the heart of the Cascade-Siskiyou region, Vesper Meadow offers sweeping views of Mt. Mclaughlin, forested volcanic outcrops, and interesting alluvial flows covered in early spring flowers. Led by geologist Jad D’Allura, Ph.D. and naturalist Jeanine Moy of Vesper Meadow Education Program.

All are welcome to join in this celebration of Earth Day, and give back to the watershed that we rely on. We will be focusing on planting live willow stakes for restoring the creek hydrology. We'll follow up our work with snacks and celebration. Come join friends in some muddy fun!

Call for volunteers! Participate in weekly Vesper Sparrow monitoring efforts from last week in April through the first week in July. All experience levels welcome. 

A network of local growers will be supplying both native starts and seeds for this open-air market. Read more

Come here why scientists, artists, and outdoor lovers are converging at the new Vesper Meadow Preserve. Join in the rewildling journey with our REI Medford collaboration for “Vesper Volunteers.”

What’s the buzz about Vesper Meadow? This pioneering nature education program is involving the public in the science of bees, birds, and butterflies. Learn how to get involved in the community-powered science and restoration efforts at this new Nature Preserve.

WALK FULL

We are walking with the Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument to explore the hidden world of winter ecology.

Local biologists, artist, business owners, and educators are coming together at Vesper Meadow. Learn more about the innovative education programs and ways to join in the experience. Read more