Nature Explorers: April

Starts April 5

Each week, we meet at a different city park in Ontario to discuss a different natural theme while playing games. We take the proper COVID precautions: we stay distanced, require masks, and provide sanitizer. This program is $5 per session or $20 for the month—and yes, that includes a snack!

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The Nature Explorers program lasts all through April. Mondays (4–5:15PM) are for 4-10 year olds, and Tuesdays (4–5:15PM) are for 11-14 year olds.

Earth Day Yoga: Lions Park

April 22, 8AM–9AM (MDT)

In collaboration with Balance Studio, Friends of the Owyhee is excited to offer the Yoga in the Wild Owyhee series. This is perfect for friends that love to hike and want to get a good stretch in with an incredible view. We welcome everyone ages 12+. No yoga experience required.

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What better way to celebrate Earth Day than a morning outdoor yoga class? Drinking in the fresh air and getting your body moving is bound to get you started right.

Anderson Crossing Trip

May 13–16

Anderson Crossing is one of the most remote camping locations in the Owyhee region that few people visit, so let's get into this remote area of Oregon to appreciate the solitude of the Owyhee!

This is a self-supported car camping/overlanding trip. We'll meet in Jordan Valley and caravan to the camp area at Anderson Crossing to camp at the same location for 3 nights. We do ask that you please leave your dogs at home.

Owyhee Science Field Camp

May 21–23

It's back to Leslie Gulch for more data collection: measuring tafoni features and plotting data to learn more about their formation! All day Saturday, the students will be studying with Sammy and Katalin, so parents and guardians can enjoy an Owyhee day to themselves.

This is a parent-supported opportunity, so parents and guardians provide the camp, and we provide the science education. The cost is $50 per student/parent team (tuition waivers available).

Owyhee Geology Field Trip Series

Next trip: May 7, 9AM–2PM (MDT)

Like geology, rocks, and landscape formation history? This is the perfect trip series for you. Join us for one or more sessions—or even all of them!

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We'll cover plenty of basics, make firsthand observations, interpretations, and work with previous mapping to supplement. Great for rock hounds interested in geological history. Ages 8 and up are welcome, including college students and life-long learners!

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Earth Day Hike: Pinnacle Point

April 22, 10AM–6PM (MDT)

On this Earth Day adventure, we will witness an impressive massive boulder of particular note to the Canyon Dragon and stand atop a pinnacle point observable from the western Treasure Valley and marking the mouth of the Owyhee River. 

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This 5-mile roundtrip route is considered moderate and includes a couple of steep climbs and a rock scramble, so please plan accordingly. We'll meet at the Owyhee River Watchable Wildlife Area along Owyhee Lake Road.

Yoga in the Wild Owyhee: Leslie Gulch

May 18, 9AM–5PM (MDT)

In collaboration with CascadiaNow!, Friends of the Owyhee is excited to offer the Yoga in the Wild Owyhee series. This is perfect for friends that love to hike and want to get a good stretch in with an incredible view. We welcome everyone ages 12+. No yoga experience required, some hiking experience recommended.

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We are celebrating Cascadia Day in honor of the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. 

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Overlanding History Trip

June 4–6

Experience some of the diverse zones of the Owyhee Region like a miner from 1864 heading back to California on the Wagon Route that cut through the Owyhee. This historically based trip will allow you to learn about a variety of events along the wagon route from Walters Ferry to McDermitt, NV traveling on gravel roads.

The trip is about 150 miles from Walters Ferry to McDermitt. Details to come as the date approaches.

Adopt-a-River Owyhee River Clean-up

April 24, 10AM–2PM (MDT)

Friends of the Owyhee recently adopted a portion of the Owyhee River, and we're heading out to clean it up! We’re hoping you’ll join us to get outside and care for our public lands.

We'll meet you at the Watchable Wildlife Area near Snively Hot Springs with some bags, gloves, and trash grabbers. Feel free to show up and leave as you please. No need to sign up, but you can tell us on Facebook if you're going.

FSS: Adopt-a-Highway

May 1, 9AM–1PM (MDT)

We’re heading to FOTO's adopted section of Highway 95 for a clean-up (and to get outside, of course), and we’re hoping you’ll join us!

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We'll meet you at the border between Oregon and Idaho where we will be ready and waiting to hand you a few bags, gloves, and trash grabbers so you can set off and hunt for garbage. Since this event is along a busy highway, we do ask that you register via Eventbrite for this one.

Intro to Stargazing & Natural Night Skies

May 19, 5:30–6:30PM (MDT)

Stargazing is a fun, all-ages, and life-long activity, especially as we live in an especially spectacular natural dark skies location of the nation! In this 1-hour presentation, Sammy will give an introduction to the night sky with some basic stargazing tips, and then we'll look at some specific constellations.

The event is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link.

Annual Three Forks Trip

October 8–10

The Owyhee River was designated Wild & Scenic on October 19, 1984, and this trip is all about celebrating its protection! We'll hike around the confluence of the West Little Owyhee River and Antelope Creek as we explore the outstandingly remarkable value that a Wild & Scenic river has to offer. Enjoy learning about the ecology, geologic features, scenic beauty, and wildlife.

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This trip is self-supported car camping at Three Forks Campground.