The New River Area of Critical Environmental Concern will host a series of free events through September. Guest speakers and naturalists will discuss topics such as birds, wildlife, natural and cultural history, and lead visitors on hikes through the area.

€ July 7, from 8 to 10 a.m., visitors are invited to join a biologist for a guided walk and presentation to learn about the biology and behavior of the many raptors in the New River area during “New River Raptors.”

€ July 21 and Sept. 1, from 10 a.m. to noon, a naturalist will lead a guided walk at Croft Lake Lane and will discuss how sand, wind, water and man have shaped the coastal landscape. The 2.5-mile trek heads through sand dunes, bogs, coastal lakes and a dynamic river system.

€ Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon, a naturalist will lead a guided nature walk at Floras Lake and discuss unique survival strategies of the plants and animals living in the area. The 2.5-mile walk along the beach will look at life that survives blasts of sand, the ocean waves and exposure to salt.

€ Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon, the presentation “From the Headwaters to the Sea” will offer visitors a chance to experience life as a drop of water. A hydrologist will guide the presentation on traveling from the headwaters to the Pacific Ocean, passing through marshes, steams and New River.

€ Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., New River Area will celebrate National Public Lands Day. Visitors can lend a hand to improve meadows for birds during the sixth-annual celebration workday. Volunteers will receive a free National Public Lands Day T-shirt and lunch will be provided.

Reservations are recommended as space is limited. For more information, or to reserve a space, those interested can call 756-0100, 751-4225 or e-mail or_coosbay_newriver@blm.gov.

To get to New River, drive south on U.S. Highway 101 about 8.8-miles from Bandon City Hall. Or from Curry County, drive 4.3 miles north of Langlois. Turn onto Croft Lake Lane. Drive 1.7 miles to the binocular sign and keep right to the Storm Ranch entrance.