Mon Valley Bird-Friendly Communities

Mon Valley Bird-Friendly Communities

--- Scroll down for information on our new Mon Valley Master Birder Program! ---

Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania (ASWP) is excited to launch the Mon Valley Bird-Friendly Community Project – a collaborative initiative that will enhance access to nature, improve environmental health, deliver a suite of environmental education offerings for students and community members, and improve habitat for birds and pollinators. 

ASWP Satellite McKeesport Office: McKeesport City Hall Building – Room 311, 500 5th Ave, McKeesport, PA 15132

Office hours vary. Please call ahead: (412) 904-7486.

Educational Programs

  • Join us every first Friday for a free, Birds and More Walk at Renzie Park at 9 am. Meet at the Renzie Park Senior Center. We always have binoculars to share.
  • Check out our calendar for additional programs in the Mon Valley.
  • Are you a Mon Valley organization, agency, or community group that is interested in hosting an ASWP program or presentation? Reach out to Ben Kehoe to discuss program options:  bkehoe [at] aswp.org – (412) 904-7486.

Free Certified Backyard Habitats and Pollinator Gardens for Mon Valley Residents

As part of the Mon Valley Bird-Friendly Communities project, ASWP is offering free Certified Backyard Habitats (CBH) with pollinator gardens for residents in:

● Dravosburg

● McKeesport

● South Versailles

● Versailles

● White Oak

How it Works:

Participating households will receive 20 native pollinator plants, become enrolled in the CBH program, and receive a one-year ASWP membership for free (over $250 value).

The CBH program helps people to transform their yards and patios into an oasis for pollinators and birds. By creating Backyard Habitats, participants can enjoy more natural beauty while also supporting local birds, pollinators, and environmental health. An ASWP staff member will visit each participating household 1-2 times to identify habitat gardening opportunities, deliver plants, and provide custom resources to help along the way.

Space is limited for the 2024 Program is limited - Enroll soon to secure your spot!

To enroll, fill out this form or call (412) 963-6100. You must be a resident of the Mon Valley to qualify. If you live in a different region and are interested in the CBH program or habitat gardening, ASWP is happy to help! Contact bkehoe [at] aswp.org or call (412) 963-6100.

The Mon Valley Bird-Friendly Community initiative has been generously funded by the Richard King Mellon Foundation and under an Assistance Agreement by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Mon Valley Master Birder Program

Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is bringing their Master Birder Program to the Mon Valley!

The Master Birder Program is for beginner and intermediate birders alike and will help build your birding knowledge or take it to the next level. The program will consist of 12 lectures occurring in the spring and fall of 2024. The first eight lectures begin March 21 and go through May 9. The remaining lectures will start in September. All lectures will be held in person at the Renzie Park Senior Center (100 Sycamore Dr, McKeesport, PA 15132) with a hybrid online option (Zoom link will be provided to registrants). Weekend outings to Mon Valley community birding hot spots and areas beyond to be announced throughout the course year. 

Graduates of the Mon Valley Master Birder Program will have a detailed understanding of local habitat, bird identification, and behavior along with the desire to share their newfound knowledge with family, friends, and the local community. This program ($450 value) is being offered free of cost to 15 members of the Mon Valley community. A mandatory interest session will be held on February 15th; registration for the interest session available at the following link: http://aswp.org/events/12995

This program ($450 value) is being offered free of cost to 15 members of the Mon Valley community. Residents of McKeesport, White Oak, Versailles, South Versailles, and Dravosburg will have the opportunity to register beginning February 16. Enrollment for all other Mon Valley residents will open on March 1. 

All registrants must fill out the form at the following link: https://forms.gle/6tsdVVGUqzoRHV537

This program is being offered for free for 15 residents of the Mon Valley through an Assistance Agreement from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region III Environmental Education grant.