LEARNING
Spaces | Activities | Resources
Education Is Our Focus
The Ankeny Hill Nature Center is where people of all ages and places can better understand nature. We achieve awareness by meeting in our outdoor and indoor classrooms, participating in hands-on interpretation activities, and exploring and learning about the wonders of wildlife. We also strive to make the Nature Center fully inclusive and accessible to all learners.
Our support of teachers and group leaders (e.g., scouts, 4-H, organization chapters, etc.) includes access to instructional resources and examples of best practices for nature education. We believe we are all part of this learning environment.
Hence, we encourage all users to offer suggestions for improvement, provide examples of lesson plans and resources, and abide by the hiking adage:
“Leave it better than you found it.”
EDUCATION:
Spaces for Indoor and Outdoor Learning
Gehlar Hall Classrooms
Available by Reservation Only
Activities planned to use the classroom spaces (indoor and outdoor covered) must align with the environmental education mission of the Ankeny Hill Nature Center.
Educational organizations, non-profit organizations, community-based groups, government agencies, and professional groups may be eligible to request the use of the Classrooms.
If you aren’t sure if your group qualifies, please drop us an email at info@ankenyhillnaturecenter.org
About the facility
An approved reservation includes access to the Gehlar Hall indoor and covered outdoor learning spaces, two gender-neutral restrooms, and sinks. The building is fully heated and cooled.
The covered outdoor classroom is directly accessible from the indoor classroom through double-wide sliding doors. The indoor capacity is 50 people.
Limited drop-off and parking are available for school buses, vans, and private vehicles.
WiFi and internet access are available in both classroom areas.
Gehlar Hall entrance to indoor and outdoor classrooms and other facilities.
Gehlar Hall Indoor Classroom.
Gehlar Hall Outdoor Classroom.
David B. Marshall
Outdoor Classroom
No Reservation Needed
The David B. Marshall Outdoor Classroom is dedicated to the memory of the biologist who helped establish the National Wildlife Refuges in the Willamette Valley.
The open-air facility is positioned over the edge of Peregrine Marsh. It includes quickly closed sliding doors with viewing portals, making it an excellent observation platform for the many species that use the marsh habitat.
This outdoor learning space is the latest addition to the Ankeny Hill Nature Center campus and is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk.
The David Marshall Outdoor Classroom perched over the edge of Peregrine Marsh.
The classroom interior can accommodate as many as 50 learners or be a photo or viewing blind with closed doors.
EDUCATION:
Activities for Every Learner At the Nature Center!
Education Nodes and Story Walk Activities
An ‘Education Node’ is an interactive, adaptable learning space for students, youth groups, families, and the general public who visit the Ankeny Hill Nature Center. These spaces provide a hands-on learning experience that encourages and fosters a connection to nature, public lands, and cultural traditions. Most Education Nodes are found along the groomed accessible trails on the Center's grounds.
These Nodes incorporate various personal learning styles and education techniques to accommodate a diverse audience. Walking along one of our trails allows you to explore natural objects up close. Stopping at an education node lets you spend about 15-20 minutes at a designated stop, getting an in-depth view of a particular topic.
An example of a node is The Story Walk"—A Home atop Ankeny Hill." This booklet and signage allow visitors to learn more about the Wildlife Refuge, its habitats, wildlife, and what they can do to help protect this ecosystem. Coming in summer 2025 are new materials and permanent installation of more informative signs.
This Story Walk Node invites visitors onto the more significant loop trail around the Nature Center, bringing them through multiple habitats and to the other nodes along the trail.
A family passes a stop on the Story Walk as they proceed to the next stop along the AHNC Big Loop Trail.
Pages from the Story Walk booklet - A Home atop Ankeny Hill.
One of the education nodes and materials that are available.
A Great Place to Watch Wildlife
Some of Oregon's best bird and wildlife watching happens in the Willamette Valley. Regardless of the season, various avian, mammal, and amphibian species can be seen in the Nature Center's acreage and the larger Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge area.
Birds
Situated along the Pacific Flyway migration route from the Arctic to South America, the Refuge becomes a winter nesting location for hundreds, if not thousands, of the several varieties of Canada Geese, multiple duck species, and many other birds. Throughout the year, you will likely see Pacific shorebirds, Northern Shrike, Merlin, American Pipits, sparrows, warblers, wrens, woodpeckers, kinglets, and dozens of other migrant and local bird species.
This Refuge is such a spectacular birding spot that a knowledgeable member of the Salem Audubon Society (a Nature Center Founding Partner) leads bird walks each month. These are free and open to anyone.
The interior areas of the Refuge are closed to foot traffic from October 1st to April 1st to protect migratory bird ground nesting. Still, many hotspots exist around the Refuge and Nature Center for viewing birds and other wildlife. Nature Center staff and volunteers can recommend the best spots on any day.
Wildlife
Birds may be the easiest animals to spot, but the Nature Center is no stranger to many other furry, flying, swimming, and crawling species. The largest is the elk herd that occasionally strolls through looking for good grazing. The smallest might include frogs, turtles, salamanders, and snakes (most non-poisonous). There are also dragonflies and damselflies, Mason Bees and their cousins, and too many other insects to imagine.
Events
The Nature Center annually hosts World Migratory Bird Day in autumn. We co-sponsor and host multiple visits of the month-long Winter Wildlife Field Days event throughout the Central Willamette Valley each March. This bilingual event will set up tents in Marion, Polk, Linn, and Benton counties.
The Nature Center also offers monthly events on unique, often seasonal topics. For updates, check our Coming Events Calendar on this website.
Bald Eagle
Photos by Mike Williams
Elk Bulls
Painted Lady Moth
Other Ways to Enjoy the Area
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Two nested trails start and end at Gehlar Hall. All are accessible (ABA) for people with mobility concerns. The Little Loop Trail (.12 mi) extends from the Gehlar Hall outdoor classroom around the Nature Explore Area to the Oak Overlook, the first node along the outer trail. The longer Big Loop Trail (.65mi) continues through the restored upland prairie to the David Marshall Outdoor Classroom and back to Gehlar Hall.
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When not reserved and/or in use, the Gehlar Hall Outdoor Classroom doubles as an outdoor eating area. The Dave Marshall Outdoor Classroom is also a covered space perfect for family outings. The Marshall space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please pack out your trash.
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The Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge offers numerous wildlife viewing opportunities. Kiosks offer bird checklists. Hiking trails and the auto tour route (see below) allow quick access to scenic areas.
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Habitat restoration of the area immediately surrounding Gehlar Hall is 25 acres in size and planted with a mix of native plants. Since before our opening, the work of students, volunteers, and staff has reclaimed much of this former farm ground. The plan is to continue the work to transform the area to its roots—a native Willamette upland prairie. Oregon white oaks have been planted within the prairie, eventually restoring it to the oak savanna it once was.
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Near the original Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge overlook site, this area is an interpretive stop along the trail system. The paver rings mimic those of a large oak tree, providing information about the rare and essential oak savanna habitat of the past and present. It also shares information about the history of the Kalapuya, the perpetual stewards of these fertile lands.
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This outdoor space is located within the Inner Trail Loop and is designed for play using natural elements such as logs, sticks, mud, plants, and rocks. These components represent the larger wild environment at the Refuge in a way that feels safe and manageable to young visitors and their parents while inviting imaginative and explorative play.
This area also serves as a natural gathering place as families and groups unload in the parking lot and search for a safe place to convene.
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An information kiosk about the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge is located near the parking lot next to Gehlar Hall. Here, you can pick up a brochure about your adventures. Similar kiosks are found at various other locations throughout the Refuge.
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The county roads surrounding the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge make it easily accessible. The Ankeny Hill Nature Center has bike racks. The route around the Refuge is so scenic that bike tours are offered annually. Please follow posted speed limit signs and share the road with cyclists.
There are pull-outs and various wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the Refuge. An observation platform overlooks Eagle Marsh, and there is a long boardwalk trail with a blind at Rail Trail. The parking area for Pintail Marsh is an excellent location for viewing and photographing various resident and migratory water fowl, shore birds and many other species.
The Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge trails brochure has a map on the inside. Pick up a copy at The Center or from any information kiosks.
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Biking is a popular sport, and riders frequently tour the perimeter of the Refuge. However, biking is permitted only on county and state roads, not within the Refuge boundaries. Bicyclists may park their bikes and access the Refuge areas on foot according to the posted rules and regulations. There are bike racks at Gehlar Hall in the Nature Center.
EDUCATION:
Supplies, and Links to Help You Teach
Ways We Help
While wildlife's needs are always important, the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, home of the Ankeny Hill Nature Center, also provides opportunities for visitors to enjoy and learn more about our natural world through wildlife-compatible activities. The Nature Center is a jumping-off point for connecting with nature, exploring, and learning, not the destination
Interpretation
Interpretive programs are offered periodically throughout the year. These programs range from annual celebrations of nature to events hosted by Nature Center Partners. On many days, visitors are greeted by some of our volunteers, who often have special projects you might get to help with. Scheduled programs will be listed on this website's event calendar.
Craft supplies might be available on tables at Gehlar Hall during some events. Feel free to ask a Nature Center Volunteer (they wear green vests) or one of our U.S. Fish & Wildlife staff (they wear brown uniforms).
Classroom Supplies
Teachers and group leaders frequently reserve the Gehlar Hall Classrooms (indoor and covered outdoor) for the exclusive use of their students or group members. During these reserved periods, the Nature Center provides a range of teaching and crafting supplies, and a volunteer or staff member offers access to the teacher supply shelf.
Nature Center Backpacks
Of special interest may be the Activities Backpacks for checkout during visits to the Nature Center (donations fund the purchase of backpacks, and the interpretive tools are included).
Check out an activity backpack from the Outdoor Storage Area or the Supply Room. Volunteers can facilitate this task when they are on duty. Backpacks include:
Preschool Backpacks
(“Pupa Packs”)
Larger Colored Pencils
Monocular
Snake Magnify Class
Color Pages
Sketch Book
Pencils
Pencil Bag
“Fundanas” Activity
(Nature Quest, Wildlife Tracks)Wood Board Activity
Nature Circle Activity
(Keychain)Local Resource Folder
(Clear Pouch Folder with Zipper)Information, Coloring Pages
Measuring Tape
Adult/Older Child Backpacks
Binoculars, Instruction Page
Attached to CaseMonocular
Guidebooks
(“Birds of the Willamette Valley Region”)Sketchbook
Pencils
Pencil Bag
Colored Pencils
Magnify Glass
Activity Pages
Compass
“Fundanas” Activity
(Nature Quest, Wildlife Scat)Wooden Chips Activity
Nature Circle Activity (Keychain)
Local Resource Folder
(Clear Pouch Folder with Zipper)Information
Measuring Tape
Program Packs
As part of our effort to host your class or group field trip to the Nature Center, we created a number of mini-program guides to supplement your curriculum preparation for teaching while here.
Each Program Pack includes suggested learning objectives and provides a suggested sequence of learning activities designed to help your students or group members meet them. The Pack includes a material supply list and suggested activities.
These materials are offered to help you plan your time with us. Experienced educators create the Program Packs, and you may modify the outcomes to meet your needs.
Any visitor to the Ankeny Hill Nature Center may check out packs. We are developing additional packs to enhance our offerings and appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Learning Resource Links
In addition to the materials to be available at The Center, our partner organizations also offer a variety of educational resources worth considering as you plan your learning activities.