Become a Member

Show your support by becoming a member of the Rusk Ranch Nature Center!

When you become a member you help the Rusk Ranch Nature Center provide outdoor activities, educational programs and workshops, interactive exhibits, and hands-on learning opportunities to residents of the community and visitors to Illinois Valley in Southern Oregon.  As a member, you become part of a community of people dedicated to developing an awareness and appreciation of nature in others.

It’s easy to become a member, simply click the yellow “Buy Now” button below now!
Join Us and Enjoy these Member Benefits!

Individual – $25
* Unlimited Complimentary General Admission for One Annually
* 1 Free Guest Pass Visit Annually
* Free Admission, Reduced Rates, or Priority Registration for Select Classes,Programs, and Special Events ~ Attend the quarterly Family Nature Scavenger Hunts!

Family – $35*                                                                                                                           Unlimited Complimentary General Admission for the Whole Family Annually     (2 children and up to 2 adults)
* 1 Free Guest Pass Visit Annually
* Free Admission, Reduced Rates, or Priority Registration for Select Classes,
Programs, and Special Events ~ Attend the quarterly Family Nature Scavenger Hunts!

It’s easy to become a member, simply click the “Donate Here” below!

Individual:  $25/year.                 Family of 4:  $35/year.           DONATE  HERE

This summer  Tommy visited the Butterfly Pavilion with his parents.   He giggled when a butterfly landed on his shirt and stayed there for 15 minutes.   He watched intently as the butterfly moved its long legs as it re-adjusted to the movements of his shirt.  He was amazed at all the small Pacific Tree Frogs that were hopping everywhere.

He learned how to very carefully catch one and release it onto a lily pad in the pond.   He came back for visits several times during the summer.  Tommy would lay down in the grass and watch at ground level as frogs jumped nearby.  Now he talks almost daily about revisiting the Nature Center.  The life of butterflies, how caterpillars eat and go through metamorphosis, what frogs eat, how they jump and how they start out as pollywogs – Tommy now talks about all these subjects with a tone of wonder and very focused curiosity.  They are not just pictures in a story book – but real experiences he has had interacting with the natural world.  These gentle memories have formed a strong connection for Tommy to the real world.  His experiences are affirming in a way that digital games, videos and social media cannot imitate.  These grounding experiences are what Rusk Ranch Nature Center is all about.

It’s why all of us – the board, the volunteers, staff and community partners are all working to support the Rusk Ranch Nature Center!

The Rusk Ranch Nature Center thanks our past and present members and donors for their generosity.

All contributions and membership fees support the organization’s operations in the fiscal year in which they were given.

Leaving a Legacy for Illinois Valley:  As we plan this vision for the future to create a beautiful world class Nature Discovery Center for our community, consider the possibility of leaving a legacy gift to benefit our community.  Talk with your attorney or estate planner to make a charitable donation that will help connect children and adults to nature for generations to come.      Email the Executive Director: info@ruskranchnaturecenter.org