Powdermill Nature Reserve
Powdermill programs are supported by the Mudge Environmental Education Program and the Martha Edwards Lazear Foundation.
"Hide out" at your local nature reserve!
June 1
7 a.m.–3:30 p.m., rain or shine
Free to the public; no registration required
Mark your calendar for the third annual celebration of Powdermill Nature Reserve, a fun-filled day of free nature activities and hands-on demonstrations for all ages! Many activities feature this year's theme: camouflage and mimicry.
Schedule
- Bird banding: 7–10 a.m.
- Turtle trapping demonstrations: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Wildflower walks: 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
- Geocaching: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Ongoing activities 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. in the nature center:
- Museum collections from sections of entomology, birds, mammals
- Taxidermy demonstration
- Silkscreen printing with The Andy Warhol Museum
- Exploration stations with touchable specimens
- Nature drawing
- Children’s activities
Sandwiches, snacks, and beverages are available for purchase onsite; picnic tables are available at Powdermill for those who wish to bring their own lunch. Water fountains are available for those who wish to bring their own water bottle. This event is rain or shine, so be sure to dress for the great outdoors.
Important information about bird banding
To ensure the safety of the birds, bird banding tours are available as long as weather permits, but may end earlier than anticipated. Please plan on arriving early to participate in this activity.
Summer Camps
As part of Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s summer programs for children, Powdermill Nature Reserve offers weeklong, full-day camps for children ages 5–8 and 9–12! Click here to visit the camps site.
Fun-filled days await campers as they explore the great outdoors, view wildlife up close, and make exciting discoveries about the natural world. Each year activities change to give children new experiences. While splashing in the stream and investigating ponds, forests, and meadows, campers gain a better understanding of nature and learn how to appreciate its beauty and mystery.
Schools & Groups
Powdermill offers a variety of interdisciplinary, hands-on, environmental education activities at the Nature Center. Enhance your environment and ecology curriculum in our natural setting. In addition to our standard activities, we can also design field trips to meet your curriculum needs. For information about school field trips, call 724.593.4070 or email LindsayC@carnegiemnh.org.
Bird Banding
The museum's bird banding station at Powdermill Nature Reserve has been in operation for 50 years, and, after calling ahead, you can observe the trained staff as they identify, measure, weigh, and band the more than 200 bird species that have stopped for a rest during their long migration. Banding is seasonal and weather dependent, but is usually in operation on weekends. To schedule a visit, call 724.593.7521. To learn more about our bird migration research, visit http://www.powdermillarc.org.
Educational Improvement Tax Credit
Support from area businesses through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program supports all aspects of our programming. Click here to learn more about how your business can help.
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 in a unique and special way. Click here to explore the adoption website!