Museum Hours

9:00 to 5:00   ~    Daily

All programs are free with paid admission.

~

Public Programs

New Raptor Education Program

Beginning in the spring of 2008, the Discovery Center will offer live birds of prey programming to visitors in collaboration with Wildlife Rescue of the Gorge and Rowena Wildlife Clinic.   

For many years Chris Tolotti has run Wildlife Rescue of the Gorge as a one-person rescue and education non-profit organization.  When she would bring her program birds of prey to the Discovery Center, the theater was packed with excited children and families.  It was one of the most popular programs and led Discovery Center staff to wonder how they might afford more such programming for their visitors. 

When Jean Cypher, D.V.M. of the Rowena Wildlife Clinic called in May 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, Tolotti, 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 as Discovery Center staff began reading, studying, volunteering at the clinic, navigating through the federal permitting process, and expanding the program concept.  The plan meets several needs.  It affords Cypher and Tolotti 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 will be strictly an exhibition bird, allowing the public a relatively close view at a very large raptor.  Its 24’x48’ enclosure will allow it room to exercise, though its wing injury allows it to mostly hop and flap its wings, rather than fly.  Building the enclosure is truly a community collaborative effort.  The Dalles-Wahtonka High School football team, under the guidance of shop teacher and coach Arnold Wardwell, worked on measuring and staking out the site, as well as preparing materials.  Lumbermen’s is helping stretch a grant from the Hugh & Jane Ferguson Foundation to meet supply costs.  Ross Stafford, owner of Kiwi Fence Contractors, brought equipment out to dig the majority of the post holes.  The students finished the holes with equipment donated by Crestline Construction. 

 “Now we need to hammer a lot of nails to finish the cage, which is part wire mesh and part wooden slats.  Volunteers with hammers are welcome,” said Director of Administration, Carolyn Purcell.

 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 named Josephine, a screech owl named Benjamin, Uno the saw-whet owl, an American kestrel named Zippora, and Dakota the red-tailed hawk.  A peregrine falcon named Bud made his debut with Tolotti at Maryhill State Park in 2006.  All of these birds are the property of the federal government.  “They are in our care at the discretion of the Fish and Wildlife Service and under the constant guidance and supervision of our mentors, Chris and Jean,” said Purcell.

 Raptor programs will be available for scheduled public programs, visiting school groups, adult tour groups, and through virtual field trips via videoconference.  To date the Discovery Center has conducted videoconference classes to students in 11 states across the country.

      UPCOMING EVENTS

May 11

Annual Mother's Day Brunch and Open House

The museum opens its doors to the public to celebrate mom.  There will be guided tours of the grounds, identification of wildflowers, and native plant sale.  An optional buffet in the Basalt Cafe served from 11am-2pm. 

June 8

Battle of the Cascades presentation by Kurt R. Nelson, author of Fighting for Paradise, and book signing by author. 2pm 

July 14-17

Discovery Day Camp-Exploring Nature at Work

Grades 3-4

Discovery Center and Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute instructors lead four days of Gorge exploration. Each day children will examine different forces of nature: geology, water, human interactions with nature, and plants and animals. A live raptor show for the whole family will occur during the last hour of the last day.  Cost is $95 or $85 for members.  9am-3pm.  Please call Steve Thompson at (541)296-8600, ext. 209 or email steve@gorgediscovery.org for more information.

June 15

Live Raptor Program

Join the Rowena Wildlife Clinic and Discovery Center staff in learning about raptors of the gorge.  This program is free to Science Camp families and free with paid admission to the museum. 2pm.   Please call Steve Thompson at (541)296-8600, ext. 209 or email steve@gorgediscovery.org for more information.

July 29-August 1

Nature Camp-Critter and Habitat Workshop

Grades 1-3

Children will learn about different plants and animals and ways to take care of the environment.  Activities will include games, craft projects, outdoor activities, and presentations.  A live raptor show for the whole family will occur during the last hour of the last day.  Cost is $65 or $55 for members.  9am-12pm.  Please call Steve Thompson at (541)296-8600, ext. 209 or email steve@gorgediscovery.org for more information.

August 1

Live Raptor Program

Join the Rowena Wildlife Clinic and Discovery Center staff in learning about raptors of the gorge.  This program is free to Nature Camp families and free with paid admission to the museum. 11am-12pm   Please call Steve Thompson at (541)296-8600, ext. 209 or email steve@gorgediscovery.org for more information.

August 4-7

Science Camp-Weird World of Science Student Workshop 

This exciting hands-on camp will explore a difference science topic each day.  Topics will include chemistry, physics, biology, electricity, and tricks related to science.  Session , Grades 1-3, 9am-12pm.  Session 2, Grades 4-6, 1pm-4pm.  Cost is $65 or $55 for members.  A live raptor program will be held at the end of each camp session.  Please call Steve Thompson at (541)296-8600, ext. 209 or email steve@gorgediscovery.org for more information.

August 7

Live Raptor Program

Join the Rowena Wildlife Clinic and Discovery Center staff in learning about raptors of the gorge.  This program is free to Science Camp families and free with paid admission to the museum. 11am and 3pm.   Please call Steve Thompson at (541)296-8600, ext. 209 or email steve@gorgediscovery.org for more information.

September 20

Historic The Dalles Days Costume Ball

Celebrate the history of The Dalles at the Discovery Center.  Wear your best pre-Civil War finery and dance the night away to a stringed quartet. 6pm.  For more information, call (541)296-8600.

December 10

Holiday Open House

Enjoy holiday music while the children visit with Santa or make crafts.  Free cookies and cider for all.  Optional dinner buffet in the Basalt Cafe.  5pm-8pm.  For more information call Charlotte Wostel at (541) 296-8600, ext. 200 or email charlotte@gorgediscovery.org.

~

All dates, times and location are subject to change without notice.  Please call ahead for confirmation at (541) 296-8600.