Ankeny Hill Nature Center

The USFWS Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, in partnership with the Salem Audubon Society and the Friends of the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, have created an environmental education hub for the Mid Valley called the Ankeny Hill Nature Center! 

Interpretive Kiosk with information about the Ankeny Hill Nature Center with a map, Swans, native plants, dragonflies, an Acorn Woodpecker, and more
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The Center takes advantage of its location at the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge to provide multiple educational environments including classrooms, the Nature Explore area for kids, outlooks and learning stations along accessible pathways and discovery elements throughout the Refuge.

Ankeny Hill Nature Center is creating ways to make it easy for people of all ages and interests to make visits to The Center personally rewarding. From school children to conservancy organizations, special interest groups to scouts, our mission is to make the Center a focal point of community life.

Mission Statement:

The Center provides educational and interpretive opportunities to connect people with nature and to instill a sense of environmental stewardship.

Visit our website: www.ankenyhillnaturecenter.org

Visit Us

The Ankeny Hill Nature Center is dedicated to being as inclusive and accessible as possible. Visit anytime from dawn to dusk! It's always free. 

The Ankeny Hill Nature Center is more of a center for nature.... it spans 25 acres and includes a number of nature exploration options:

  • Gehlar Hall, an indoor and outdoor classroom, reservable at no cost for conservation and education purposes

  • Picnic spaces

    Wooden picnic tables at Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
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  • Bike parking

    Interpretive metal cutouts for bikes to park and lock.
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  • Discovery backpacks and binoculars for use when staff or volunteers are present

    A yellow backpack and white backpack for reserve
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  • Two accessible trails, Little Loop and Big Loop

  • An innovative nature playground called the Nature Explore Area (tip: look for 2 tunnels and 2 bridges)

    Wooden bridge leading to a wood chipped path lined on both sides with tall grasses and a Willamette Valley Pine tree on the left in the background
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  • Numerous education nodes that are more than just an interpretive stop; they are interactive and educational with or without a park ranger or volunteer to guide you

  • A garden for native plants, pollinators, and people called the Pollinator Patch

    Wooden cut-out of a Bumble Bee for visitors to pose in
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  • A self-guided storywalk along the Little Loop and Big Loop trail

  • David B. Marshall Outdoor Classroom perched over Peregrine Marsh 

    Outdoor classroom and observation blind over the marsh.
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    Interior of David B. Marshall Outdoor Classroom with sliding doors and a fence surrounding the building. Building overlooks Peregrine Marsh
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  • Lots of observable wildlife and habitats to explore

    Small blue bird perched
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Volunteer

The Ankeny Hill Nature Center also has an active volunteer program, and we would love your help!  Habitat Stewards and Education Volunteers are just a few of the opportunities.  Reach out to our Volunteer Coordinators for more information, orientation dates/times and community volunteer days: volunteers@ankenyhillnaturecenter.org

Volunteer reading rain gauge for community science.
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Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge volunteer cleaning Mason Bee hotel
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Interested in learning more? Check out our website Ankeny Hill Nature Center and plan your next visit!