Emmett Moorhouse, 21 months, walks a trail with his mother, Meghan Moorhouse of North Bend during Tide of the Toddlers at the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve in January. “There are a lot of stay-at-home parents who would like more events like this,” Moorhouse said about the quality of the South Slough’s educational program.-World File Photo

Summer is coming, and the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is starting its summer schedule.

* The South Slough Interpretive Center has exhibits, a gift shop and information available. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. now through Aug. 31. Trails and waterways are open dawn to dusk every day.

* The South Slough and Cape Arago Audubon Society have a combined booth at the Farmer’s Market in Coos Bay from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays.  South Slough staff, volunteers and Cape Arago Audubon Society members will be on hand to share information. Raffle tickets for a Wave Crest Discoveries Tour and a bird feeder will be sold for a July drawing.   

* An exhibit of mixed media art depicting landscapes, still life and abstract subjects featuring Maggie Karl’s work is on display through Aug. 31 in the South Slough auditorium. Karl is the former Coos Art Museum director and a 15-year Southwestern Oregon Community College art instructor. The interpretive center is located on Seven Devils Road south of Charleston.

* Paddling the Estuary will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 14. A guide will help participants explore the water trails at South Slough Reserve and learn the importance of estuaries. Participants should bring their own kayak or canoe, paddle, life jacket, snacks and water, and meet at the South Slough Interpretive Center, four miles south of Charleston on Seven Devils Road.  The cost is $15 per boat. Advance registration is required; there is an eight-boat limit.  

* The Explore Your Estuary Hike will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 21. The purpose is to discover the mud flat community. Participants will take a guided walk and help collect observations and data as they learn about South Slough and then share their findings with the staff and other visitors. The event is free.

* The Creature Feature for June will be crustacean. It will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 22. The program is free.

* Tide of the Toddlers, for children ages one to five, will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, June 28. Children 1 to 5 years old are welcome for play and discovery in a Salty & Fresh version of the Tide of the Toddlers.  Cost is $1 per child.

* “Common Ground II,” a film about Oregon’s marine heritage, will be shown at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 29. The film was recently updated to inform the public about the marine reserve nomination process currently happening in Oregon.

Registration is required for all programs. For more information and to register, those interested can call 888-5558. South Slough reserve, located four miles south of Charleston, is open to the public.