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.