Classical music in the wild coming to Valley Flora Farm
By Bree Laughlin
Wild Rivers Land Trust
South Coast community members have a unique opportunity to attend a classical music concert in the wild with IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild™ on Sunday, Aug. 30.
The outdoor concert series replaces the traditional concert hall with America’s most stunning landscapes. A 9-foot Steinway grand piano travels on a flatbed trailer to State and National Parks, urban green spaces, working ranches, and historical sites for classical music concerts that connect people with each landscape.
As part of their 2026 tour, IN A LANDSCAPE classical pianist Hunter Noack will be performing at Valley Flora Farm in Langlois, OR at the end of this month.
Valley Flora is a shining example of a farm that feeds its community — through its CSA program, local farmers markets, and by supplying grocers along the coast and throughout Southern Oregon.
“What inspires me most about Valley Flora is that it's as functional as it is romantic,” said Hunter Noack.
“It's not just that they work hard—it's that they do it in the most beautiful way possible,” he said.
A couple of years ago, during one of the IN A LANDSCAPE concerts, Valley Flora Farms co-owner Zoë Bradbury DeSurra was out behind her draft horses, tilling the rich soil of the valley with headphones on so she could hear the music while she worked. The audience could look out over the rows of crops and watch that scene unfold in real time.
“Valley Flora represents everything I think we should aspire to be: good land stewards, community-minded, hardworking, and bursting with hope,” Noack said. “The Bradbury family exemplifies the Rumi line, ‘Let the beauty we love be what we do.’"
IN A LANDSCAPE brings concert hall-quality classical music into natural and working landscapes that are meaningful to the communities around them. Whether it's a family farm, a state park, a mountain meadow, or the edge of the ocean, the landscape isn't just a backdrop—it's part of the performance.
"My hope is that the music becomes the soundtrack to people's experience in nature," pianist Noack said.
Guests bring blankets, picnic dinners, or camp chairs, and experience the music however they feel most comfortable. Everyone listens through wireless headphones, which creates an intimate listening experience while giving people the freedom to wander a trail, sit quietly beneath a tree, close their eyes, or even come lie underneath the piano to feel the vibrations of the instrument.
A portion of the ticket sales at the Aug. 30 IN A LANDSCAPE concert at Valley Flora will support local nonprofit Wild Rivers Land Trust.
Wild Rivers Land Trust works to conserve and steward the natural spaces that people and wildlife depend on for clean air, fresh water and healthy habitats throughout Southern Oregon’s Wild Rivers Coast. By partnering with willing landowners, Wild Rivers Land Trust also helps working farms and ranches preserve their legacies for future generations.
“By supporting local nonprofit organizations we are able to amplify the work that happens year-round in each community,” said IN A LANDSCAPE pianist Hunter Noack.
“Wild Rivers Land trust is invested in protecting the watersheds, the working landscapes, and the wild landscapes. We are happy to support them because they understand that conservation isn't about locking nature away, but about making sure farms, forests, rivers, wildlife, and local communities can all thrive together for generations,” he said.
First-time guests at IN A LANDSCAPE’s Valley Flora concert should plan to arrive early enough to enjoy the walk from the parking area to the concert site. After checking in and receiving wireless headphones, they can settle into the landscape before the music begins.
“What surprises many people is how approachable classical music becomes in this setting. For those who find traditional concert halls intimidating or restrictive, there's a sense of freedom. You're welcome to move, breathe, stretch out in the grass, watch the changing light, or simply be still. The wind, birdsong, shifting clouds, and stories behind the music all become part of the experience.
“My hope is that people leave with a deeper connection to both the music and the place. Sometimes people tell me they discovered they love classical music. Other times they say they noticed a familiar landscape in an entirely new way. To me, both are equally meaningful,” Noack said.
Wild Rivers Land Trusts hosted a BioBlitz at Raven Ridge Preserve
Wild Rivers Land Trust’s BioBlitz brought together a group of volunteers to collect scientific data, have fun and engage with the land at the Raven Ridge Preserve.
Volunteers enjoyed spotting many different types of plants and wildlife during the Bioblitz. They documented over 100 plants, from delicate orchids to colorful rhododendrons and towering conifers.
The group of volunteers explored the 40 acre site on Saturday, June 6 with WRLT’s Conservation Manager Maggie Graham, and Paul Sherman, a WRLT board member who donated the Raven Ridge Preserve to the Land Trust in 2023.
Wild Rivers Land Trust was also thankful to have plant, wildlife and soil biologists take part in our first ever BioBlitz, along with other volunteers with varying degrees of knowledge. No matter what their expertise, each volunteer had a great time exploring the beautiful flora and fauna at the Raven Ridge Preserve with one another, and all contributed to the project’s success.
The goal of a BioBlitz is to document all of the different kinds of plants, animals, soil or other components of the ecosystem at a certain place and time. The results of the Bioblitz can help landowners, biologists and other interested parties to learn about the land, and document it, so they can see how it changes over time.
The volunteers at WRLT’s BioBlitz used the iNaturalist application to collect data. This is an international database of ecological data, so our photos can be used by scientists from around the world. The data will also be useful for Wild Rivers Land Trust staff to identify how the landscape at the Raven Ridge Preserve evolves, and could also inform future management plans.
Thanks for making Run for the Rivers a success!
Wild Rivers Land Trust's first ever Run for the Rivers 5K fun run was held on May 2, 2026. The run was set amongst the majestic background of the Elk River near Port Orford, OR.
Thank you to the more than 60 people of all ages who ran miles for the wild in support of Wild Rivers Land Trust!
Get ready to run miles for the wild with Wild Rivers Land Trust!
Run for the Rivers
10 am Saturday, May 2
at Butler Bar Campground
Our brand new 5K fun run/walk along the majestic Elk River also features a one-mile course for those who prefer a shorter route. Run for the Rivers is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, support conservation, and meet fellow nature lovers. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just out for a casual jaunt, this event is a fantastic opportunity to support Wild Rivers Land Trust.
Bring the whole family and don’t miss out on the chance to make a difference on Southern Oregon’s Wild Rivers Coast!
Your $25 registration by April 17 guarantees you a special event t-shirt! Participants are also eligible for door prizes! Carpooling is encouraged.
Camp Myrtlewood Walking Tour Sept. 2025
We want to thank everyone who came out to our walking tour at Camp Myrtlewood!
We had the chance to learn more about our very first conservation easement from WRLT’s Conservation Director Max Beeken, and hear about all the exciting things happening at Camp Myrtlewood from Camp Managers Shauna and Josh Danielson. We even got a surprise visit from John Jones, the driving force behind the creation of the conservation easement.
Wild Rivers Land Trust staff and board members want to thank everyone who supports us, through attending events, providing donations, and keeping up-to-date with our work. Please keep an eye out for our Autumn Newsletter, coming out in October, to learn more exciting updates and to find out additional ways to get involved with Wild Rivers Land Trust.
Raven Ridge Walking Tour August 2025
A small but mighty group of Wild Rivers Land Trust staff and supporters had the chance to explore our Raven Ridge property on Saturday, Aug. 16.
We had the pleasure of walking with conservation easement donor, Paul Sherman, who is highly knowledgeable about Raven Ridge. Along the way, we spotted a variety of wildlife including rough-skinned newts, tree frogs and a garter snake. We also found signs of bear, elk, deer and coyotes.
We identified native and invasive plant species, tasted huckleberries, and witnessed an impressive variety of trees – including a mature Port Orford Cedar, along with several seedlings.
The skies opened up as we finished our walk, revealing an expansive view over the coastal valley.
Wild Rivers Land Trust is offering another chance for our supporters to tour a project site next month. We will be visiting Camp Myrtlewood (49658 Myrtle Creek Rd, Myrtle Point, OR 97458) from 10 am to 2 pm on Sunday, Sept. 14.
For more information, or to sign up for the Camp Myrtlewood walking tour, please email Amy@wildriverslandtrust.org.
River Party July 2025
Wild Rivers Land Trust’s 25th Anniversary Celebration was a big success thanks to everyone who came out to support us.
During the party on Saturday, July 12, a big group of our supporters went on the walking tour of the Middle Elk Reserve with our Stewardship Manager Max Beeken. They also had the opportunity to learn about the history of our organization from past Executive Director Ann Schmierer, hear from our current Board President Jenny Dukek, as well as our Executive Director Amy Knapp Pettit.
Amy told everyone that the celebration wasn’t just about recognizing past accomplishments, but also a time to look forward to the future of the organization.
Our supporters were very generous at the event, contributing funds for our commemorative anniversary mug and other WRLT swag, participating in our original art raffle, and making cash donations to the organization.
All of us at the Land Trust want to say a big ‘thank you’ to local musician Greg Thelen for contributing his talents, as well as James Sampsel, for creating a one-of-a-kind piece of art just for the event.
We also want to thank Valley Flora Farm, the Langlois Market, and 7 Devils Brewing for providing a great spread of snacks and refreshments. Our board members also contributed a variety of items for the celebration. Thanks again to everyone who pitched in!
Celebrate our 25th Anniversary at the River
Don’t miss the chance to celebrate Wild Rivers Land Trust’s 25th Anniversary!
The River Party will be held on July 12 from 1 to 4 pm at our office on 93633 Elk River Road, Port Orford, OR.
River Party Highlights
- Music by Greg Thelen, drinks and light refreshments provided
- Meet our new Executive Director Amy Knapp Pettit
- Guided tour of the Middle Elk Reserve project site at 2pm
- Raffle for an original, custom framed James Sampsel oil painting of the Elk River
- 25th Anniversary commemorative mugs available with $25 donation
NOTE: Bring your own lawn chair. Service dogs only. Wear close-toed shoes if you plan to take the walking tour of the project site.
“I am thrilled to be hosting our 25th Anniversary Celebration! I can’t wait to meet supporters, celebrate the incredible work of this organization and give you an update of our future goals.”
- Amy Knapp Pettit, Wild Rivers Land Trust Executive Director
