Welcome
Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge is located in the fertile Willamette
Valley of northwestern Oregon . The Refuge is situated in open farmland
near the confluence of the Santiam and Willamette rivers in the
middle of the broad Willamette Valley . Elevations range between
180 to 290 feet msl. The Willamette Valley , with its mild, rainy
winter climate, is an ideal environment for wintering waterfowl.
The Refuge consists of 1,765 acres of cropland, which provide forage
for wintering geese, 600 acres of riparian forests, and 500 acres
of shallow water seasonal wetlands
As with the other refuges within the Willamette Valley National
Wildlife Complex, the primary management goal of Ankeny National
Wildlife Refuge is to provide high quality wintering habitat for
geese, especially the dusky Canada
goose , to ensure healthy, viable goose populations while minimizing
goose browse damage to crops on private agricultural lands.
Ankeny NWR also provides habitat for a wide variety of birds, mammals,
reptiles and amphibians. Wildlife/wildlands observation, photography,
hiking, and environmental education and interpretation are the major
public use activities allowed on the Refuge.
Habitat improvement and restoration are essential for the continued
survival of wildlife populations in the Willamette Valley . If you
are interested in restoring your lands to native habitat, such as
wetlands, prairies, grasslands or upland oak/savannas, please click
on the following link " Partnership
for Fish and Wildlife " for further information.
LOCAL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES ANNOUNCE FALL HOURS
Public access into major portions of the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuges will be limited during the winter sanctuary season in order to provide undisturbed habitat for Canada geese and other wildlife. By resting in undisturbed areas on the Refuge, wintering geese replenish their energy reserves required for nesting and migrating. This also reduces crop damage on neighboring agricultural lands.
The Refuges are open from sunrise to sunset each day. Visitors are reminded that Finley Refuge Road is a Refuge road and falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government. It is closed to all public access from sunset to sunrise, including through traffic.
To view the full announcement, CLICK HERE.
INVASIVE SPECIES WORK PARTIES
We need you! Check back soon for more information on upcoming parties
and to learn more about how you can help
restore habitat on your National Wildlife Refuges!
GREAT NEWS
"Nature
Photography Blinds Now Available"
Visitors come to the Willamette Valley NWR Complex for many reasons,
but most center on the abundance of wildlife that can be seen during
the different seasons. The vision of geese, ducks, and water birds
by the thousands dotting the open fields and marshes are enough
to entice even the most seasoned of naturalists. Hawks soar overhead,
scanning the landscape for a quick meal. Elk and bobcat roam the
woodland edge. Iridescent butterfly wings glimmer like jewels in
the sun. But most wildlife are naturally apprehensive around people
and disappear quickly if approached. Photography blinds can provide
visitors with an opportunity to view wildlife up close without disturbing
the animal's natural behavior. Two photography blinds are now available
to photographers hoping to click that award-winning picture or just
preserve a memory to last a life time.
