Enjoying the Spring and planning for Summer
A note from the Executive Director, Paul Sheldon
Happy Spring — ¡Feliz Primavera! — щасливої весни!
With Volunteer Stewardship days, Expressive Writing, Turtle Trot, Outdoor Nature Summer Camp, CREST Fest, Moth Night, Petals & Pollinators and so much more rapidly approaching, Spring is a great time to consider joining The Crest’s Turtle Team! Turtle Team Members will receive priority registration for events including special farm-to-table meals, discounted or free registration for music events, and more! Funds raised through Turtle Team will be devoted to preserving, protecting, and stewarding Willow-Witt’s Turtles, goats, geese, chickens, meadows, and trails, as well as providing Camp scholarships and reduced-cost field trips. Watch your email for more details, soon! All, your participation matters! I hope to see you at Turtle Trot, Crest Fest, volunteer stewardship days, or other events, soon! And please remember to designate The Crest in August, for Ashland Food Coop’s Change for Good!
Warm best wishes for a joyful Spring!
7th Annual Turtle Trot 5K, 10K, Fun Run and Brunch!
Saturday, June 6, 2026
1st Race Starts at 9 AM
Put on your tennies and mark your calendars for Saturday, June 6, 2026, our 7th annual Turtle Trot 5K, 10K, Fun Run and Brunch is back for another incredible year of community, sport and delicious food.
There’s truly something for everyone. Tackle the scenic 10K or 5K trail race through meadows, wetlands, and forest, join the fun run, or participate in family-friendly activities like the scavenger hunt. Whether you run, walk, or trot, you’ll be part of a joyful morning at Willow-Witt Ranch where every step you take directly supports youth education, outdoor learning, and community access to the natural world.
And don’t forget — many say the best part comes after the finish line. All registrations include a world-class, made-from-scratch breakfast (with Willow-Witt farm fresh eggs and greens) and the iconic Turtle Trot T-shirt.
This year prices increase May 1st, so sign up early, start some light training, and invite your friends to make a morning of it. We’ll see you there.
Find Us Out and About Around Town
Upcoming Community Events:
Visit Us at Our Booth or Table
2026 Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 18th
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
ScienceWorks Plaza, Ashland, OR
SOU Career Fair
Wednesday, April 22nd
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Main floor of Stevenson Union
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.,
Ashland, OR 97520
Earth Day Celebration with KS Wild & Rogue Riverkeeper
Wednesday, April 22nd
5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
A Street, Ashland, OR
Ashland Food Co-op Change for Good!
Get ready — not this month, but later this year, in AUGUST 2026, The Crest will be Ashland Food Co-op’s designated organization for the monthly cash register round-up at check-out.
Please tell your friends to be ready — of course we’ll remind you in the summer!
Volunteer with The Crest!
As the summer activities wind down at Willow-Witt Ranch, we’re looking for passionate individuals to lend a hand! Whether you’re interested in helping with our garden preparations, assisting with community events, supporting our educational programs, lending a hand in the outdoor school cookhouse, or helping with administrative tasks, we’d love to have you spend time on the land!
Volunteers play a crucial role in making our events and programs a success, and your time and energy help us create meaningful experiences for the community. No matter your capacity, every bit of support is appreciated! If you are interested, please send us a note on our website using the button below.
