The Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge System
includes Ankeny, Baskett Slough and William L. Finley Refuges. Closest to Salem are Ankeny and Baskett Slough Refuges. The Refuge areas consist of flat bottomlands, very wet in winter, and hilly uplands often covered with Oregon white oak, with some remnant Douglas fir. Dusky Canada Geese, which the Valley Refuges were created to protect, and other water fowl winter here in large numbers. Wintering raptors such as rough-legged hawks and short-eared owls may be found near Baskett Slough NWR.
