Come learn about the majestic and resilient oak trees of the Monument! Rich Fairbanks will be sharing a broad presentation on oak species, habitat types, and ecology –including relationships between plant, fungi, and animal species that rely on oaks – as well as fire ecology. He will also talk about the current work of the Klamath Siskiyou Oak Network and what you can do to help oaks.

Rich Fairbanks has a wealth of knowledge and interesting stories through his work with the U.S. Forest Service for 32 years in fire management, planning, and silviculture. He held various positions in the organization including Interagency Hotshot Crew Foreman, Division Supervisor and ID Team leader for the Biscuit Fire Recovery Project. For five years, he also worked for the California Fire Program of the Wilderness Society. Rich has a degree in forestry and holds a Master’s degree in planning. He currently owns a small forest management company. He and his wife live in the mixed conifer forest of the Applegate where they do a considerable amount of under burning.

The Friday Hike and Learn sessions will take place 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ashland Food Co-op Community Classroom, 300 N. Pioneer St., Ashland. The classroom is is one block toward downtown from the grocery store on N 1st Street.

Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is a nonprofit organization, and our mission is to support the protection, restoration, and conservation of the monument through service, advocacy and education. Our Hike and Learn programs are designed to introduce the public to different topics and locations within the Monument. Hike and Learns are co-created with local scientists, historians, artists, students, and more.