Andrew Keeler, 1, left, holds a pine cone during a short hike at South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.-World photo by Alex Powers

In addition to a variety of trails to hike, the South Slough National Esturarine Research Reserve has a several events scheduled in July.

* “Crabbing Around,” will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday. Participants will learn about the life cycle of crabs through images and interpretation as they explore the estuary for various species of crabs and cast a crab ring from the dock and learn proper crab harvesting methods.

Participants should meet at the Charleston Visitor Center. The cost is $1 per person.   

* Friday, the Interpretive Center will be closed in honor of Independence Day. Trails and waterways will remain open dawn to dusk.

* Birds on the Estuary will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday. Participants will ex-plore the shore in search of winged wildlife. Beginner and intermediate bird enthusiasts are welcome. The center will provide an interpreter, binoculars, spotting scopes and other materials.  All trips will meet at the Charleston Visitor Center. The cost is $1 per person.

* Walk softly along the Big Cedar Trail with an interpreter from the reserve from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday. These hikes are rated easy for those wanting to explore South Slough at a less vigorous pace. The Big Cedar Trail is ADA accessible. Participants should dress for the weather. There is no charge.

* Under the Docks will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 12. An interpreter will lead participants in an investigation of life found below the surface. Participants should meet at the Charleston Visitor Center. The cost is $1 per person.   

* An Explore Your Estuary Hike will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 12,  to discover the upland forest community of the estuary. Participants will take a guided walk and help collect observations and data as they learn about South Slough and share their findings with the staff and other visitors. There is no charge.

* 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 has been an art instructor at Southwestern Oregon Univer-sity for 15 years and is the former director of the Coos Art Museum.

 Registration is required for all programs.

For more information and to register, call 888-5558. South Slough Interpretive Center, four miles south of Charleston on Seven Devils Road, is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily during the summer.

It has exhibits, a gift shop and information available. Trails and waterways are open from dawn to dusk daily.