1. USFWS, Salem Audubon, and Friends Project Update September 10, 2019
Ankeny Hill Nature Center
USFWS, Salem Audubon, and Friends
Project Update September 10, 2019

3. 2004 - received $1.32 million donation from Mark Gehlar
Salem Audubon spend a number of years exploring possible sites
2010 – Salem Audubon hired Canoe Group to help with development of a strategic plan for the Nature Center
Selected Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge as the site
2012 – Formalized relationship with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Friends of Willamette Valley NWR Complex

4. Fall 2012 – Transportation study determined a new access road to the site was required
Fall 2013 – Began Conception Design Planning Process formulated vision statement
Fall 2014 – Site Restoration Work

5. Mission of Ankeny Hill Nature Center:
Provide opportunities for the public to learn about the natural resources of the Willamette Valley, particularly wildlife and habitat
Serve as a resource for environmental education
Provide the public with an enjoyable experiences that impart the importance of stewardship of natural resources
Serve as a community resource for conservation with an emphasis on the importance of area habitats to wildlife and people
Provide interpretive and environmental education services

6. Feb 2014 – Finalized Project Management Agreement
Mar 2014 – Awarded Conceptional Design Contract to ESA Vigil-Agrimis
Oct 2015 – Design Narrative released by ESA Vigil-Agrimis: project phasing description, cost estimates, 30% schematic designs of campus and buildings as basis for future design and construction contract for first phase
June 2016 – Received Final Nature Center Interpretive Plan by Alchemy of Design
Oct FWS completes Federal requirements for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act
Sep 2017 – Dedication of classroom to be built on Peregrine Marsh to Dave Marshall

8. The Complete design of the entire building was done as part of the Phase I D/B contract so this project is “shovel ready” should resources be secured.

9. Site Developments
The USFWS’ primary contribution to phase 1 and opening the NC is all of other non-building site developments. We are working with FHWA via our FLTP “refuge roads” funding, currently wrapping up design and will begin construction on these elements this Sept. concluding by Thanksgiving. Everything you see on the map here except the Buena Vista Parking lot and wetland boardwalk trail.
This image is about the same scale you just saw, showing the site developments once all of the projects 3 phases are completed. You’ll notice the access point will change locations. This was determined by a traffic study that looked at safety of vehicle access. The new driveway to the NC building off Ankeny Hill will be put in 2018 or early 2019 along with a new 24 space,2 bus parking lot with an overflow lot at the bottom of the hill, the complete building facing the SSW towards Mary’s Peak, a trail network with interpretive nodes. The other parking lot off Buena Vista for the outdoor classroom is part of phase 3, timeline undetermined.

10. Dave Marshall Outdoor Classroom
Along Peregrine Marsh, covered secure facility for up to 30 students
Water, storage, and 2 restrooms
Separate accessing and parking for 6 cars and a bus
~ 1,100 square feet
Yet to be designed
An opportunity to recognize and memorialize Dave Marshall’s significant contributions to the Willamette Valley Refuge Complex

11. Interpretive Elements

12. Feb 2018: Dalke/ Veit selected for design / Build of nature center Phase 1 building
Jul 2018: 100% building plans completed by Dalke/Veit.
Dec 2018: Gehlar Hall Phase 1 substantially complete

13. Construction begins January 2018

14. Substantial Completion of Phase 1 – December 2019

15. Contributions to Date Salem Audubon $62,090 – Conceptional design
$690,000 – Phase I building construction
USFWS $1.5 M – Traffic study, conceptual design, Phase I interpretation package, habitat restoration, construction management, building design, and site developments.

16. Remaining Need Phase II of Gehlar Hall - $900,000
Dave Marshall Outdoor Classroom - $500,000
Classroom parking and boardwalk - $500,000
Total Project Need = 1,900,000

17. Ankeny Hill Nature Center Fundraising Needs -- $4.15M goal
Gift Level
# of Gifts Needed
Total
prospects needed (4:1)
Gifts Rec'd
Gift totals
$1,500,000 1
$750,000 4
$500,000
$250,000 2
$100,000 5 10
$50,000
$300,000 20
< $25,000
$95,000 ?
misc 25
$5,000
$1,050 64
$4,150,000 37 3
$2,251,050