Homeschool families are invited to attend this free learning opportunity at Ankeny Hill Nature Center.

June is National Pollinator Month. Explore the wonderful world of pollinators at this special homeschool event. Science and craft activities will be geared to students ages 5 to 12; older and younger siblings are welcome, too. Walk the trails to visit all the stations or focus on the activities held close to Gehlar Hall. Bring your lunch or snacks – we have picnic tables and a place for you to fill your water bottles. Be prepared to pack in and pack out your items and leave the pets at home.  Parking is limited, we encourage carpooling. Scroll down to RSVP.

Activities: 

• Become a Pollinator – Transform into a honey bee, ladybug, monarch butterfly and more with Salem Environmental Education.
• Ponds Are Alive! – Come learn about the cool bugs and other critters that call the wetlands of Ankeny Hill home with Oregon State University.
• Do You Know Your Noxious Weeds? – Noxious Weed ID Study Guide and Quiz with live samples to ID with Oregon Dept. of Agriculture.
• What’s the Difference? – Learn to tell bees, wasps and flies apart with Marion Co. Master Gardeners.
• Build-a-Bug – Students will investigate and make observations of insect anatomy and insect characteristics, and then build their own bug using craft supplies. All insects should have 6 legs, 3 body parts, and compound eyes with Marion Co. 4-H Jr. Master Gardeners.
• Hummingbirds Pollinate, too! – Showcase the hummingbirds of the Willamette Valley and explain how they pollinate. We will have 3D visuals and also have some coloring pages and prizes. Through a display of local hummingbirds and activities, visitors will learn about one of Oregon’s avian pollinators with Salem Audubon Society.
• Arts & Crafts – Get crafty with Ankeny Hill Nature Center and Marion SWCD.
• Reading Nook – Take some quiet time to explore books about pollinators.
• Forest Bee BINGO – Test your knowledge about forest bees by playing BINGO and earning points. with Oregon Forest Resources Institute.
• Soil Tunnel – Explore the hidden world of soil in this fun crawl-through experience with a scavenger hunt with Marion SWCD.
• Pollinators to Product – Match the pollinator to the plant in this fun activity! Color your own mask and transform into your favorite insect with Xerces Society.
• Block Printing with Native Plants – Learn about plants that are important for pollinators and people, the create a card using stamps of species grown at the Confederated Tribe of Grand Ronde’s Native Plant Materials Program
• Honey Bees: Gateway to Native Bees – Discover honey bees & native bees. Ankeny Hill Nature Center
• Flower Power! Learn simple flower anatomy and get an up close look at native plant and pollinator species with observation tools!
• Soil Health Rainfall Demo – We will use a rainfall simulator and tabletop soil aggregate demonstrations to understand how different managements of soils and plants can impact rainfall infiltration or runoff with Natural Resources Conservation Service.
• Mini-Habitats to Take Home – Plant your own habitat to support birds and pollinators!

Fantastic Event Partners Include:

• Ankeny Hill Nature Center  
  
• The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Natural Resources Dept. 
• Marion Soil and Water Conservation District  
• Natural Resources Conservation Service 
• Oregon Dept. of Ag. Noxious Weed Program
• The Oregon Forest Resources Institute  
• OSU Dept of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences 
• OSU Ext. Marion County 4-H
• OSU Marion County Master Gardeners Assn.  
• Salem Audubon Society 
• Salem Environmental Education  
• US Fish & Wildlife Service Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex 
• Willamette Resources & Educational Network (WREN)
• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation  

If you need special accommodations, including translation services, in order to participate, please call the office at 503-391-9927 or email office@marionswcd.net as far in advance as possible.