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Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
Willamette Valley
Hike This Place
GPS Coordinates: 44.7970811, -123.0798139
REGIONS > WESTERN OREGON > WILLAMETTE VALLEY​ > SALEM AND VICINITY
​

​Located to the south of Salem and nestled among rivers and farmland is the 1700+ acre Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge. This protected wilderness area is an example of how the Willamette Valley looked prior to the establishment of widespread agriculture and urban areas in the nineteenth century. One of several refuges created in Oregon and Washington during the mid-1960s, Ankeny contains numerous seasonal marshlands, sloughs and riparian areas irrigated by the confluence of the Willamette and Santiam Rivers.

These fertile wetlands provide vital nesting area for a variety of birds. It is also home to several endangered and threatened plants and animals, including the Dusky Canada goose (Branta canadensis occidentalis), a subspecies of the Canada goose (Branta canadensis). The “Duskies” and a variety of other avian species attract bird watchers from all over the world.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of boardwalks, nature trails and wildlife observation blinds scattered throughout the refuge, although some are closed seasonally to protect nesting birdlife.

Exploring the Ankeny Wildlife Refuge Area:

Corvallis and Vicinity
Columbia River
Gail Achterman Wildlife Area
Willamette Valley
Interstate 5
Salem and Vicinity

Representative Species of the Ankeny Wildlife Refuge:

American crow
Bracken fern
Dusky Canada goose
Oregon ash
Pacific Sideband Snail
Salmonberry
American white pelican
Canada goose
Hooded merganser
Oregon chub
Pacific tree frog
Turkey vulture
Bald eagle
Common raven
Mallard
Oregon grape
Raccoon
Western skunk cabbage
Black-capped chickadee
Douglas's squirrel
Northern pintail
Oregon white oak
Red fox
Wood duck

Suggested Activities for the Ankeny Wildlife Refuge:

Art
Hiking
Picnicking
Citizen Science
Geocaching
Reading and Writing
Climate Change Action
Music and Dance
Wildlife Spotting
Conservation Projects
Photography and Video
Picture
Picture
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The Oregon Coast Aquarium's Oceanscape Network is an educational program for youth designed to inspire curiosity in science, nature, conservation and outdoor exploration while providing valuable classroom resources for educators. MORE.
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