KS Wild

10/30/2026

Looking for a challenge?

Join us for a difficult but beautiful hike to the top of Stein Butte! This trail begins at the south end of Applegate Lake and travels 10 miles of steady incline through mixed conifer forests to the summit of Stein Butte where hikers will be rewarded with 360 degree mountain views across southern OR and northern CA.

Space on this group hike is limited, so sign up today to reserve your spot. We will offer a carpool and will share more information on timing and meetup points after signup.

https://www.kswild.org/upcoming-events/stein-butte-hike

Happy trails! 🥾

10/30/2026

We are so fortunate & grateful to have been one of the nonprofits that got to hang out at a Bonnie Raitt show, table & share information about our beautiful region, & be supported by an incredible musician. Thanks, Bonnie! 💛

10/27/2026

Mid-slope BLM logging road at Last Chance timber sale is bad news for water and soil resources. 👎

KS Wild in the field checking out the impacts of the Medford District BLM’s “ ” anti-forest logging agenda.

10/24/2026

This week marked the 42nd anniversary of the Illinois River's Wild & Scenic designation!

Tucked in the rugged mountains of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, the Illinois River's pristine, emerald waters hold some of the West's premier whitewater experiences and is a refuge for native wild salmon and steelhead.

Congress designated a 50.5-mile section of the Illinois River as Wild & Scenic on October 19, 1984, recognizing its nationally outstanding fisheries, water quality, scenery, recreation, and botanical values.

And we are just fortunate enough to have this incredible river right in our backyard! Long live the Illy! 🩵

📸: From a multi-day whitewater rafting trip on the Illinois River. Credit: Michael Dotson

10/23/2026

Next week, we are welcoming local nature photographer, Brandon Breen, to the KS Wild office for our November First Friday art show!

As a field ornithologist, hiker, and backpacker, Brandon has spent a fair amount of his time outside—where he has been repeatedly astonished by nature’s beauty. He takes photos to try and capture some of this beauty, with the hope that his photos can spark greater appreciation and protection of humanity’s greatest inheritance: the natural world.

Please join us on Friday, November 6th at our office in Ashland (562 A St.) from 5-7pm for this open house art show to see the region's natural beauty through Brandon's lens.

Brandon will have photography for sale, and he will be donating 25% of all sales proceeds to KS Wild. W**e and refreshments will be provided.

See you there!

10/22/2026

Field report from an old-growth "riparian reserve" slated for logging by the Medford District Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as part of the Last Chance timber sale.

It's spooky season and the Bureau of Land Management is up to some scary antics on your public lands.

You can send a letter to BLM officials today to request the agency's attention and care for forest values other than timber: https://secure.everyaction.com/s_WtCG087UOCBjHYD2lgMg2

10/20/2026

Help Environment Oregon track wildlife behavior this fall migration season by participating in the 2026 Roadside Wildlife Count!

By signing up to volunteer, you will gain access to the app that will help track wildlife (alive or dead) to better inform infrastructure decisions to cut down on vehicle-wildlife collisions.

Sign up to volunteer today at https://environmentamerica.org/oregon/center/events/2026-roadside-wildlife-count/

The 2026 Oregon Roadside Wildlife Count is under way, and there is still time for you to join us to help collect data on wildlife this fall.

Until Oct. 25, Environment Oregon will be collecting data using an app that allows you to record when you see an animal on the side of the road (dead or alive). We will share the results of our tracking with agency partners, the media, and decision-makers to tell the story of the impacts of roads on wildlife and call for more wildlife crossings to be built.

From a Mule Deer in Eagle Point to an Elk in Maupin and a Gray Fox in Vida to a Great Horned Owl in Elgin, it’s clear that wildlife large and small all across the state are heavily impacted by our roads.

Help us help wildlife by participating in this work!

10/19/2026

Fall colors on the Upper Rogue River are lookin' beautiful right now! 😍 It's a great time to enjoy a fall hike on the Upper Rogue River trail!

Fall reflections on the Upper Rogue River, Oregon 🍁🍂

10/13/2026

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Leo Helm, our dedicated Outreach & Events Intern and 2026 Water Quality Technician, who has been an essential part of the KS Wild team!

Leo played a crucial role in assisting in bringing our two major annual events to life, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival and the Annual Dinner, ensuring volunteers were organized and helping organize a deeply impactful silent auction for both community celebrations. Beyond these flagship gatherings, Leo seamlessly managed our community tabling events across the region, connecting directly with folks to share our mission and invite them to get involved with us to protect the K-S. In addition to all of this, Leo also helped lead our 2026 Water Quality Monitoring Program, organizing volunteers, testing samples, and getting high-quality scientific data to the community for safe summer swimming and recreating! 💦

Leo, thank you for being such a wonderful ambassador for KS Wild and for inspiring our community to take action on the shared public lands we all love and want to defend! We'll miss you and wish you all the best!