News

(Fox Chapel, PA)—Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania (ASWP) requests that Western PA residents noticing hummingbirds at their feeders contact ASWP. Even in December, hummingbirds are visiting Western PA feeders.

ASWP has begun a project to monitor hummingbird migration—banding birds to document their migration patterns. By this time of year, most hummingbirds have completed their annual migration southward, but ASWP is still banding and monitoring Rufous Hummingbirds locally—most recently on December 11 in New Wilmington, Lawrence County. The bird that was caught for monitoring had been banded previously in Louisiana. It was released to continue its journey back to the Gulf Coast.

This fall, ASWP has banded more than half a dozen hummingbirds, including a female Rufous Hummingbird in Franklin Park, Allegheny County. Bob Mulvihill, an ornithologist working with ASWP to monitor and band the birds, is part of a network of licensed hummingbird banders throughout the eastern United States. Mulvihill recommends that bird feeding enthusiasts keep their hummingbird feeders filled, even in winter weather. Keeping the food fresh is important—mix four parts water to one part sugar—to attract hummingbirds. When temperatures fall below freezing, keep a second filled feeder inside the refrigerator that may be swapped out with a frozen feeder. Hummingbirds tend to visit feeders first thing in the morning and in the late evening.

Western PA residents who have noticed hummingbirds at feeders this fall and winter should contact ASWP to document the sighting. Please contact Bob Mulvihill at (412) 963-6100 ext. 29 or email bmulvihill@aswp.org to report your sighting.

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AUDUBON SOCIETY OF WESTERN PA ACQUIRES SUCCOP CONSERVANCY

Programming to expand as events/rentals continue uninterrupted

(Fox Chapel, PA)--Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania (ASWP) is pleased to announce the addition of Succop Conservancy, a 50-acre former farm in Butler, Butler County.

Operational control of the Conservancy was transferred to ASWP on July 1, 2011 from Butler County Community College Foundation. Succop Conservancy, a farm estate with seven buildings that includes 180-year-old mansion and historic barn, was created in 2001 through a generous gift from the Succop family. Most of the Succop staff was retained and are now ASWP employees.

“Succop Conservancy allows us to greatly expand our reach and offerings in the Butler area, helping us to connect our new neighbors with nature in a peaceful, engaging natural setting,” according to ASWP Executive Director Jim Bonner.

ASWP will continue the summer programming already lined up at Succop and will expand programming beginning in September. Site-specific programs will also be created to take advantage of Succop Conservancy’s beautiful grounds. An Audubon Nature Store is also planned for the site.

A local advisory committee will be created to solicit input on building the Conservancy’s role in the community, and volunteers are being sought for all areas of operations, including buildings and grounds maintenance, horticulture, store, and administrative support. A naturalist training program will also be established. Schools, clubs, and other organizations are encouraged to contact us to explore opportunities of partnering with Audubon at Succop.

“We are excited by the opportunities this beautiful property and facility presents to us to, and we’re looking forward to making it a vital part of the local community,” adds Bonner.

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ASWP Named “Outstanding Environmental Education Program” at PAEE Conference

(Fox Chapel, PA) — Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is pleased to announce that its environmental education programming has been awarded the designation of “Outstanding Environmental Education Program” by the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators. ASWP’s Education Director, Trisha O’Neill, accepted the award at PAEE’s conference awards banquet.

The award recognizes “an exemplary environmental education program which could be used as a model program.”

“We are proud to have earned this honor,” states Jim Bonner, ASWP’s Executive Director. “It’s a testament to the hard work of our environmental educators and affirms that our hands-on learning programs are truly making a difference in teaching people to respect and preserve the natural world.”

For more information on Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, please call 412-963-6100. A listing of ASWP’s environmental education programs, including summer camps, may be found at aswp.org.

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ASWP Director of Conservation Named to PEC’s 40 under 40 List barn_owl_handler_small

(Fox Chapel, PA) — Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is pleased to announce that Director of Conservation Brian Shema has been named one of Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s “40 under 40” award winners. This honor is bestowed upon environmental leaders who work to make Pennsylvania a healthier, greener place to live, work, and visit — and who have inspired others around the nation with their actions.

“As we look to the future, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council honors the next generation of environmental leaders — those who will shape the way we treat our land, air and water over the next several decades,” according to PEC.

Shema, a 1998 graduate of Penn State University, has led birding trips around the country, oversees a project to breed and reintroduce barn owls, and is the Project Director for the DCNR-sanctioned Buffalo Creek Watershed Conservation plan. He was a 2009 recipient of the National Audubon -Toyota “TogetherGreen Fellowship” and is a member of the Fox Chapel Parks Commission.

“I am honored to be chosen for this prestigious award and will continue my work to make our area a vibrant, healthy environment for the generations to come,” adds Shema.

For more information on Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania or Brian Shema, Director of Conservation, please call Rachel Mohr Handel at 412-963-6100.