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Powdermill Nature Reserve
Powdermill Nature Reserve is located 55 miles southeast of Pittsburgh in the Appalachian Plateau Province of Pennsylvania. At Powdermill, wildflowers, trees, songbirds, and salamanders can be examined by eye, ear, magnifying glass, and camera. The world-class research programs at Powdermill, including the renowned bird-banding laboratory, take advantage of the biodiversity of the Allegheny Mountains. For directions as well as more information on our mission and research, visit the Powdermill Nature Reserve pages. The Great Backyard Bird Count February 18, 9:30 a.m. The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds! Meet at Powdermill Nature Reserve on Saturday, February 18, to participate in our count, or stay at home and participate any time February 17–20. Learn how at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc. Free Family Nature Hour Saturday, 1 p.m. Join museum educators for family-appropriate nature stories and outdoor exploration on the trails at Powdermill. These hour-long activities take place in rain, wind, or cold, so please dress for the weather! Explore the nocturnal habitats of Powdermill Nature Reserve, the environmental research center of Carnegie Museum of Natural History! Discover the amazing night sounds of local insects, birds, amphibians, and mammals. Enjoy an evening snack and nature stories around the campfire, go on a night hike, do seasonal activities, and more. Click for details on the Overnight Adventures page. Scientific Lecture Series Sunday, 1 p.m. Enjoy scientific lectures given by naturalists, scientists, and researchers from Powdermill Nature Reserve and Carnegie Museum of Natural History as well as special guest speakers. Popular topics alternate every Sunday. Explore the outdoors through the comfort of this indoor program with slide shows, specimens, and displays. Complement what you learn by exploring Powdermill's trails every Saturday during Free Family Nature Hour. The Scientific Lecture Series is geared toward adults. Talks last between 30 and 60 minutes in the Parker Room of the Nature Center. For more information call Senior Environmental Educator Joe Stavish at 724.593.6105. The Nature of Winter Learn how animals and plants have adapted to life in the cold. Animal Tracks for All Ages Winter is a great time to explore the tracks and trails left behind by our winter animals. This family-appropriate lecture uncovers the often overlooked animal prints found in the snow and mud. Discover the similarities and differences of some common Pennsylvania animals found at Powdermill and in your own backyard. Pennsylvania Owls The first of our nesting birds, owls breed and lay eggs during the winter. Discover what adaptations these raptors have to help them survive the cold. Learn what species may be nesting in your backyard and discover the sounds and calls of these nocturnal creatures. Winter Tree Identification Even though most trees have dropped their leaves until spring, identification can be done through examination of the leaf and flower buds and bark. Learn techniques for identification of some common backyard and forest trees. Vernal Woodland Pools Every year hundreds of amphibians, insects, and reptiles utilize seasonal woodland pools as breeding sites. Discover all that can be found at your local woodland pool. After the indoor lecture, take a guided tour of a Powdermill vernal pool to see what life may be active in late winter. Early Signs of Spring From flowers to insects, birds to mammals, learn the early signs of spring throughout western Pennsylvania and uncover some of them on the trails of Powdermill. Powdermill programs are supported by the Mudge Environmental Education Program and the Martha Edwards Lazear Foundation. Free weekend programming is sponsored by Plextronics. Adopt A Bird Band The Adopt-A-Bird-Band program invites nature lovers of all ages to become personally involved in supporting the vital biodiversity and conservation research at the core of Carnegie Museum of Natural History's mission. Adoptions make great gifts for bird lovers, budding naturalists, and conservation enthusiasts, or anyone who wants to celebrate the arrival of spring in a unique and special way. Take the Laurel Foundation Challenge: The Laurel Foundation will match your donation dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000! Click here to explore the adoption website! Educator Resources The classroom and exhibition areas in the Powdermill nature center as well as the trails outside provide meeting and program spaces for field trips and workshops that incorporate the world-class research conducted at Powdermill. Programs are adapted from recognized curricula. To learn more about opportunities for your school or group visit, see the Group Visits section.
Noon–1 p.m. Join us for this series of scientific seminars on current research at Carnegie Museum of Natural History! Hear Carnegie scientists and invited researchers discuss their latest findings on a wide variety of science topics, often involving research conducted at Powdermill Nature Reserve. Click here for the upcoming schedule. |
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The biological field station of Carnegie Museum of Natural History
