How art is connecting people with the Siskiyou Crest

How art is connecting people with the Siskiyou Crest

The Siskiyou Crest Coalition has an artist in residence program in which they host an artist for five days in their Acorn Woman lookout which has 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7802cea/2147483647/strip/false/crop/4032x3024+0+0/resize/704x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0d%2F83%2F33d9732143ba8aea27b102a00d7a%2Fsunset-at-e-acorn-women-lookout-2-credit-luke-ruediger.jpeg] The Siskiyou Crest Coalition has an artist in residence program in which they host an artist for five days in their Acorn Woman lookout which has 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape.(https://siskiyoucrestcoalition.org/siskiyou-crest-artist-in-residence-program/) An artist is spending time atop a historic fire lookout in the Siskiyou Mountains, using art to help people connect with one of the Pacific Northwest's most biologically diverse landscapes. The Siskiyou Crest Coalition has launched the second year of its Artist in Residence program at Acorn Woman Lookout in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The program invites artists to spend five days at the historic lookout creating work inspired by the surrounding landscape while raising awareness of conservation efforts in the region. Luke Ruediger, a volunteer with the Siskiyou Crest Coalition and executive director of the Applegate Siskiyou Alliance, said the residency was created to help people appreciate a landscape that often goes unnoticed. "One of the things we've realized is that the Siskiyou Crest is kind of a remote and forgotten region," Ruediger said. "We really need to build that connection between people and place." The Siskiyou Crest Coalition hosts an artist in residency for five days at Acorn Woman lookout. The combination of science and art expands the reach and accessibility of the coalition's conservation work with communities across the region. Cody Merkelz is the 2026 Artist in Residence. Sarah Burns was the first for the Coalition in 2025. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7f61950/2147483647/strip/false/crop/4032x3024+0+0/resize/704x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdd%2F83%2F802cefe64345806c87d231e2e357%2Fcodymarkelz-scc-artistinresidencesunset.JPG]The Siskiyou Crest Coalition hosts an artist in residency for five days at Acorn Woman lookout. The combination of science and art expands the reach and accessibility of the coalition's conservation work with communities across the region. Cody Merkelz is the 2026 Artist in Residence. Sarah Burns was the first for the Coalition in 2025. (Cody Merkelz) The Siskiyou Crest is the only major east-west mountain range in the Pacific Northwest, linking the Coast Ranges and Cascade Mountains. The coalition says that connection, combined with varied geology and climate, has created one of the region's richest centers of biodiversity. "You just have this blending of ecosystems, of climates, of environments and a diversity of geologic strata that create this world-class biodiversity in the Siskiyou Crest region," Ruediger said. This year's artist-in-residence, Cody Markelz, is a scientist and illustrator whose work combines natural history, field sketches and educational zines. During his residency, he compared the ecology around Acorn Woman Lookout with landscapes near his home in Northern California. "Being a scientist and an artist, this was a perfect place to examine these different types of gradients and to get inspiration both scientifically and artistically," Markelz said. Illustrations by Cody Merkelz. He was an artist in residence with the Siskiyou Crest Coalition in 2026. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a365241/2147483647/strip/false/crop/2184x1642+0+0/resize/702x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcf%2F24%2F6d20707e405cb7ebea7222ebbc98%2Fcodymarkelz-scc-artistinresidence-zinepage.png]Illustrations by Cody Merkelz. He was an artist in residence with the Siskiyou Crest Coalition in 2026. (Cody Merkelz ) Markelz spent five days alone at the lookout, observing wildlife, sketching and journaling. One encounter stood out. "I was rewarded a couple days later when I found a baby rattlesnake," he said. "It stayed still, and I was able to sketch it live." Markelz will discuss his residency and share artwork created during his stay at two free public presentations this weekend. EVENTS * Saturday, June 27, at 1 p.m. at the Rogue Gallery & Art Center [https://www.facebook.com/events/1533522708291246] in Medford, Markelz will share sketches, artwork and the illustrated zine he created during his residency, along with the science and ecology that inspired the project. * Sunday, June 28, at 2 p.m. at ScienceWorks [https://www.facebook.com/events/2467309570375797] in Ashland, Markelz will discuss how art, science and the Siskiyou Crest landscape intersect. GUESTS * Luke Ruediger, volunteer for Siskiyou Crest Coalition and executive director at Applegate Siskiyou Alliance * Cody Markelz, artist in residence, Siskiyou Crest Coalition

Why conservationists are suing to protect one of the Pacific's largest sea stars

Sunflower sea stars can grow to three feet wide and have up to 24 arms. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e415b2d/2147483647/strip/false/crop/999x665+0+0/resize/792x527!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb1%2F00%2F33139b0d4e02b36e44a6f7ff2d66%2Frssunflower-sea-star-courtesy-national-park-service-public-domain-fpwc-media-use-ok.jpg]Sunflower sea stars can grow to three feet wide and have up to 24 arms. (National Park Service / NPS) The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the federal government, alleging the National Marine Fisheries Service missed a legal deadline to decide whether to protect the sunflower sea star under the Endangered Species Act. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeks to compel the agency to issue a final listing decision after it proposed protecting the species in 2023 but failed to meet its statutory deadline. Once common from Alaska to Southern California, the species has declined by about 90% since 2013, according to the conservation group. Sunflower sea stars can grow up to three feet wide and have up to 24 arms. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0527248/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1000x750+0+0/resize/704x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe6%2F84%2F92531e6f4af09cbb6550dceda4fa%2Fsunflower-star.jpg]Sunflower sea stars can grow up to three feet wide and have up to 24 arms. (Center for Biological Diversity ) Scientists say sea star wasting disease has driven much of the decline. The disease causes lesions, limb loss and death, and research suggests warming ocean temperatures have made outbreaks more severe, raising concerns about the species' ability to recover. Sunflower sea stars are among the Pacific Coast's primary predators of sea urchins. Scientists say their decline has allowed urchin populations to expand, contributing to the loss of kelp forests that provide habitat for fish, invertebrates and other marine life. Miyoko Sakashita [https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/about/staff/#], oceans program director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said federal protections are needed before the species declines further. "I love sunflower sea stars," Sakashita said. "They are this massive sea star. If you stretch out your arms, that's about how far across they are, and they can have up to 24 arms. They look like a super star." If the species is listed under the Endangered Species Act, federal officials would be required to develop a recovery plan and could designate critical habitat. Conservation advocates say those protections could also help address threats from pollution, dredging and coastal development. NOAA spokesperson Micheal Milstein told the Alaska Beacon [https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/06/23/lawsuit-aims-to-put-sunflower-sea-stars-on-endangered-species-list/] that the agency is continuing work on the proposed listing. "At this time, NOAA Fisheries has not yet completed our work on the Center for Biological Diversity's proposal to list the sunflower sea star under the Endangered Species Act," Milstein said. He said the agency is prioritizing its available resources while continuing its responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act. If the court rules in favor of the Center for Biological Diversity, it could require the agency to issue a final decision on whether the sunflower sea star should receive federal protections. GUEST * Miyoko Sakashita, Oceans Program Director, Center for Biological Diversity

Where to find the best frozen treats in Southern Oregon and Northern California

Three hands hold waffle cones filled with scoops of ice cream in assorted flavors, each cone dipped in rainbow sprinkles, over an outdoor café table. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9c147a4/2147483647/strip/false/crop/3840x2880+0+0/resize/704x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fca%2Fb6%2F876383684a0f88cca32f0fdfce30%2Fice-cream-in-cones.jpg] Ice cream cones offer a classic way to cool off during Southern Oregon's summer heat.(https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:AlphaLemur / Wikimedia) Summer temperatures in Southern Oregon and Northern California are climbing, making it the perfect season to seek out ice cream, shaved ice and other frozen treats. Whether you're planning a family outing, a road trip to the coast or looking for inspiration at home, the region offers plenty of ways to cool down. Our regional food lovers — Will Smith and Nicole Larsen, joined by host Natalie Golay — share some of their favorite places to grab a cool treat, along with easy recipes to make at home. ICY TREATS WORTH THE TRIP The Mix [https://www.mixashland.com/], Ashland: This local favorite serves organic ice cream with creative toppings, including bourbon hot fudge, Earl Grey caramel and mint marshmallow fluff. Larsen recommends it for its unique flavors and child-size options. "What really stands out there is they have unique flavors, and they also have really wonderful toppings," she said. Slugs and Stones [https://visittheoregoncoast.com/cities/brookings/dine/slugs-n-stones-n-ice-cream-cones/], Brookings: Located on the harbor, this classic coastal candy and ice cream shop offers milkshakes, saltwater taffy and a large selection of ice cream. Larsen said it's a tradition whenever her family visits the coast. "It's very classic of what you could imagine on the coast," she said. Taste and See Creamery [https://www.tasteandseecreamery.com/], Redding: This creamery serves inventive flavors, including blueberry goat cheesecake. Although Larsen hasn't visited yet, she said it's high on her list because of its creative menu. Violets and Cream [https://violetsandcream.com/], Jacksonville: Tucked just off Jacksonville's main street, this shop serves malts, ice cream and vintage bottled sodas in a nostalgic setting. Golay discovered the shop after biking to Jacksonville and stopping for a chocolate malt. Michoacana Plus [https://michoacanaplus.com/], Medford: Golay says Mexican ice cream shops like this are a good place to find fruit popsicles and other frozen treats in a lively atmosphere. Raspados Mex [https://www.facebook.com/p/Raspadosmex-100058748091637/], Medford: Located near the Medford Food Co-op, this family-owned food truck specializes in raspados, traditional Mexican shaved ice treats. Golay recommends the strawberry-and-coconut version. "It was delicious because they make their own syrups," she said. "They don't use artificial stuff." Colorful fruit kebabs made with kiwi, pineapple, cantaloupe, grapes and strawberries are arranged on a white plate. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9735d4f/2147483647/strip/false/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/792x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa7%2F6a%2F74117b024805b9120011d8f4ebc6%2Fadobestock-160069282.jpeg]Fresh fruit kebabs made with strawberries, grapes, kiwi, cantaloupe and pineapple offer a simple, refreshing snack for hot summer days (Thitaree SArmkasat/SewcreamStudio / stock.adobe.com) EASY SUMMER TREATS AT HOME Frozen yogurt bark: Larsen recommends spreading yogurt on parchment paper, topping it with fruit, nuts or chocolate chips and freezing it until firm. "You have this really nice, low-sugar, coolish kind of treat that's not necessarily ice cream," she said. Fruit kebabs: Strawberries, watermelon, pineapple, mango and fresh herbs make an easy snack for kids or summer gatherings. Larsen said they're fun because children can help assemble them before serving. Sun tea: Larsen recommends brewing tea in a glass jar set outside in the sun, then flavoring it with fresh herbs or citrus slices. It's an easy way to make a refreshing summer drink without turning on the stove. Homemade ice cream sandwiches: Smith recommends sandwiching your favorite ice cream between crisp cookies and freezing them ahead of time for guests. Thin, crisp cookies work especially well because they're easier to bite through once frozen. "Adults love an ice cream sandwich," he said. Granita: Smith says almost any fruit juice or purée can become a refreshing granita with a little sugar and lemon juice. One of his favorites combines ruby red grapefruit juice, dry rosé and a pinch of sea salt. "You end up with this incredible grapefruit rosé slushy that has just a little bit of saltiness," he said. Frozen fruit: Smith recommends freezing berries, grapes, peaches and other fruit for an easy summer snack. He also uses frozen fruit in sparkling water, cocktails and sangria or blends it into a quick sorbet. Frozen dog treats: Even four-legged family members can get in on frozen treats. Larsen recommends freezing broth or stuffing a chew toy before placing it in the freezer. "They do need a little extra love when it's this warm," she said. A bowl of bright pink Polish cold borscht, known as chłodnik, topped with sour cream, chopped chives and half of a hard-boiled egg on a wooden table. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/60bfb7c/2147483647/strip/false/crop/2286x1524+0+0/resize/792x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7d%2F5d%2Fbd59e2014de5aebee912b75970b8%2Fchlodnik-cold-borscht.jpg]A bowl of chłodnik, a traditional Polish cold borscht made with beets and typically served chilled with sour cream, chopped chives and a hard-boiled egg. (https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Dmitry_Dzema&action=edit&redlink=1 / Wikimedia) COOL MEALS FOR HOT DAYS Cold soups: Smith says hot weather is a good excuse to skip the stove altogether. He recommends chilled soups that can be prepared ahead of time and served straight from the refrigerator. His summer favorites include gazpacho, the classic Spanish tomato soup; vichyssoise, a creamy potato-leek soup served cold; and beet borscht topped with scallions, sour cream, pumpernickel or toasted rye bread. "I love cold borscht," he said. "It's such a beautiful color." Silken tofu salad: Golay recommends combining silken tofu with mini cucumbers, ponzu sauce and scallions for a light summer meal. Mexican-style fruit: Fresh fruit dressed with lime juice, Tajín and queso fresco makes a refreshing snack or light meal. Golay suggests mixing pineapple, jicama, cucumber, watermelon or mango. "It's the most refreshing thing," she said. GUESTS * Nicole Larsen * Will Smith

Pulitzer-winning composer Gabriela Lena Frank debuts new Britt work

Gabriella Lena Frank, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ec18cce/2147483647/strip/false/crop/300x350+0+0/resize/300x350!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fac%2F58%2F22edb66449b3b3866463b0acf44b%2Fgabriella-lena-frank-composer.jpg]Gabriella Lena Frank, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer. (Mariah Tauger) Fresh off winning the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Music, composer Gabriela Lena Frank is returning to Southern Oregon with the premiere of a new orchestral work inspired by two of Mexico's most celebrated artists. Frank's "Frida e Diego Suite" premieres Thursday, June 25 [https://britt.org/events/holst-the-planets/], at the Britt Festival in Jacksonville. Although Frank is now one of the country's most acclaimed composers, she said her musical education began with an unusually broad range of influences. Growing up in Berkeley, California, Frank's music was shaped by her Eastern European Jewish, Peruvian Indigenous and Chinese heritage, as well as a wide range of musical traditions. She was immersed in jazz and the American Songbook at home while studying classical music with a South African refugee who introduced her to composers from around the world. "Alongside Beethoven and Bach, I was getting composers like [Marko] Tajčević from Yugoslavia," Frank said. "I had a very rich exposure to all kinds of arts, literature and music." CREATING A PERUVIAN 'RITE OF SPRING' Frank's Pulitzer-winning composition, "Picaflor: A Future Myth," was commissioned by several organizations and premiered in 2025 before earning the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Music. The 10-movement orchestral work draws on Peruvian mythology, something Frank wanted to explore through large-scale classical music. "There's a wonderful origin story around the picaflor (or hummingbird)," Frank said. In the myth, the hummingbird makes a rip in the sky before falling down to earth. "It brings a little bit of sun fire with it," she said. "That's what warms up the planet and populates the earth with humans and creatures and civilizations." OPENING DOORS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION Frank, who is partially deaf and identifies as a woman of color, said her own experiences have shaped both her music and her commitment to mentoring emerging composers. She founded the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music to support composers from historically underrepresented backgrounds. As a female, partially deaf person of color, Frank emphasizes the importance of diverse narratives in music. To that end, she founded the Gabriela Lena Frank Academy to support underrepresented composers. "I realized that even with the declaration of being one of the most important women composers in history, that I wasn't doing enough," Frank said. "I needed to help open these doors for others." While she continues to teach at festivals and universities, Frank said creating opportunities for younger composers has become just as important as writing new music. Frank's new piece, the "Frida e Diego Suite," premieres at the Britt Festival on Thursday, June 25. GUEST * Gabriella Lena Frank [https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/composer/2388/Gabriela-Lena-Frank/], Pulitzer Prize-winning composer

Ashland author examines the unseen impact of military service on families

Molly Best Tinsley is an Ashland-based winner of the Oregon Book award. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0d43f48/2147483647/strip/false/crop/600x480+0+0/resize/600x480!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb0%2F2a%2F4a6392ee4ad8a722149667496b96%2Fmollyt.PNG]Molly Best Tinsley is an Ashland-based winner of the Oregon Book award. (https://shop.sibyllinepress.com/products/a-modest-trumpet-fanfare-a-novel ) In "A Modest Trumpet Fanfare [https://shop.sibyllinepress.com/products/a-modest-trumpet-fanfare-a-novel]," Ashland author Molly Best Tinsley [https://shop.sibyllinepress.com/pages/author/molly-best-tinsley] explores the emotional costs of military life beyond the battlefield, arguing that while service members go to war, "families serve too." Tinsley draws on a lifetime shaped by military culture. A self-described "Air Force brat," she grew up in occupied Japan and Germany before spending two decades teaching at the U.S. Naval Academy. She left academia, in what she describes as a "fit of sanity," to write full-time. The novel examines how military culture can shape family life long after the uniforms come off. Tinsley said the mindset of conflict — of always "having an enemy" — can extend into the home and influence relationships. She recalls a childhood marked by frequent moves, where home was packed into boxes every few years and putting down roots was nearly impossible. Her family, she said, became a "mini fortress" governed by the unspoken rule that "nothing went outside the family." Her father, an Air Force meteorologist, often reinforced military hierarchy at home, telling the family, "I'm the boss in this family." Tinsley said those experiences also taught her that public appearances often concealed private struggles. "You put your best foot forward," she said. "But it was always a performance. That's the game." "A Modest Trumpet Fanfare" is the latest novel by Molly Best Tinsley. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8b92511/2147483647/strip/false/crop/560x862+0+0/resize/343x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F14%2F4a%2F9ad28c4541468fd57c529788e6ba%2Fa-modest-trumpet-fanfare.png]"A Modest Trumpet Fanfare" is the latest novel by Molly Best Tinsley. (https://shop.sibyllinepress.com/products/a-modest-trumpet-fanfare-a-novel ) Now living in Ashland, Tinsley said she sees fiction as a way to explore experiences that resist simple explanations. She uses her writing to examine family, memory and identity. "Narrative is an instrument for making truths concrete," she said. She also encourages writers to prioritize imagination over branding and metrics, arguing that publishing has become increasingly focused on measurable results. Through "A Modest Trumpet Fanfare," she hopes readers gain a better understanding of the millions of children whose lives are shaped by military service, even when they never wear the uniform themselves. GUEST * Molly Best Tinsley, author, A Modest Trumpet Fanfare