Museum Hours

9:00 to 5:00 ~ Daily

All programs are included with paid admission.

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Public Programs

January 29th - April 16th

Discovery Center Offers Free Middle School Stewardship & Video Production Workshops

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center will offer a free workshop series in stewardship and video production for 6th and 7th graders of The Dalles Middle School beginning January 29th.

The workshop is made possible through the Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative of North Wasco County School District 21.

Through a variety of educational and entertaining activities, students will learn how to be good stewards of the environment. The workshop is open to any 6th or 7th grader in The Dalles Middle School and is scheduled for 10 Fridays between January 29 and April 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided at no charge, and transportation to and from the Discovery Center will be provided. Students must have a parent's or guardian's permission to participate and commit to the 10 Friday sessions, as well as agree to a behavior contract.

Students will work in small groups learning how to produce a video presentation using the latest technology, under the guidance of Discovery Center staff and video production experts. The final product will be a video presentation based on one of the stewardship topics.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Parents may register a child by calling educator Steve Thompson at 296-8600, ext. 209, or emailing steve@gorgediscovery.org.

Ongoing, Monday through Friday (except holidays)

Raptor Interpretive Program

See and learn about Ferguson, the Bald Eagle. You will also get an up-close experience with a smaller raptor presented by museum personnel. Meet in the Discovery Center River Gallery. Included with paid admission; free for members.

11 a.m. & 2 p.m.

Raptor Education Program

In 2008, the Discovery Center began offering live birds of prey programming to visitors, in collaboration with Wildlife Rescue of the Gorge and Rowena Wildlife Clinic.   

When Jean Cypher, D.V.M. of the Rowena Wildlife Clinic called in Spring 2007 to see if we would be interested in having a bald eagle to display, we had not dreamed of where it might lead. This phone call resulted in a lot of conversations between the Discovery Center administrator, Cypher, Chris Tolotti of Wildlife Rescue of the Gorge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Migratory Bird Division, and Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department.

 The idea for a full-scale education and exhibit project evolved over the next six months. The plan meets several needs. It affords the clinic a new avenue for educating the public about raptors and their habitats, provides a place for non-releasable injured birds that must otherwise be euthanized, and offers the Discovery Center a new attraction that meets their mission to inspire appreciation and stewardship of the Gorge. 

The bald eagle is strictly an exhibition bird, allowing the public a relatively close view of a very large raptor. Its 24’x48’ enclosure allows it room to exercise, although its wing injury limits it to hopping and flapping its wings, rather than flying.

 In addition to the eagle exhibit, several birds are in training to become education birds. Each is an injured bird, unsuitable for release into the wild. These include a great horned owl, a screech owl, a saw-whet owl, an American kestrel, a red-tailed hawk and a peregrine falcon. All of these birds are the property of the federal government.

 Raptor programs are available for scheduled public programs, visiting school groups, adult tour groups, through virtual field trips via videoconference and outreach. For pricing and availability, call 541.296.8600, ext. 240.

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Adopt a Raptor!

In order to expand the public's appreciation and knowledge of raptors and to help fund the stewardship of the birds in our Raptor Education Program, we have established the Adopt a Raptor Program. By symbolically adopting a Discovery Center raptor, you help with the care and feeding of these avian educators. And, don't forget, a Raptor Adoption makes a great gift for the animal lover in your life!

How much does it cost to care for a raptor including food, supplies and medical care?

You may adopt a raptor on a monthly or yearly basis at the rates listed above. In return, you'll receive:

• A personalized adoption certificate bearing the name of the adopter and a photo of "your" bird.

• A case history of your chosen bird, as well as the natural history of its species.

To adopt a raptor, please print out and complete this form with your check, money order or credit card information. Thank you for your contribution!

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