SENECA ROCKS AUDUBON SOCIETY
"Butterflies of Pennsylvania"
with Dr. Brian Wargo
6:00 pm, June 10, Clarion Free Library
Brian M. Wargo is best known for being a hawkwatcher. He was a counter at Cumberland Gap Hawk Watch in Maryland and is currently a counter at Allegheny Front Hawk Watch. Along with birds, butterflies have become another serious interest for Wargo. He regularly spends time when the weather is warm, and the sun is shining looking for his favorite insects!
Wargo is the president of the Allegheny Plateau Audubon Society. He is also the chair of the board of the Hawk Migration Association.
Wargo is the author of three books. “Bird!”: An Exploration of Hawkwatching, which gives a bio-ethnographic overview of the hawkwatching community, including the culture of HMA. Wargo’s second book, Visiting Mother Nature: A Beginner’s Guide to Off-the-Grid RVing, documents how he was able to use an RV to view birds in all 49 contiguous states. His most recent book, Idealized Science: A Framework for Practicing Science Authentically, targets his main passion in life, teaching science.
Dr. Brian Wargo
"Birding Pennsylvania’s State Parks"
with Chris Kemmerer (via Zoom)
6 pm, September 9, 2026, Clarion Free Library
Pennsylvania has one of the largest state park systems in the country. With 125 parks across 64 counties the system includes geologic wonders, prominent moments in American history, old growth forests, tidal waterways, and Great Lakes access. This diversity is also represented in the flora and fauna that call our Pennsylvania State Parks home.
Join Chris Kemmerer, Education and Interpretation Section Chief for Pennsylvania State Parks, on a tour of the best birding spots in PA’s state park system. He’ll highlight parks close-to-home near Clarion, parks worthy of a day trip and parks further afield that may require an overnight visit or two. You’ll get a sense for the diverse habitats of each park as well as the best birds to look for. You’ll also learn a few other ways to engage with PA state parks beyond a birding adventure.
Chris Kemmerer has been with Pennsylvania State Parks for over 20 years. As an avid birder and conservationist Chris works to bring his love of the outdoors to Pennsylvania residents and visitors. As the Education and Interpretation Section Chief, he oversees the educational program for state parks; providing direction, support, and training to field staff who annually educate 300,000 people. In addition, he promotes state park educational opportunities, develops and fosters ongoing partnerships, represents DCNR on environmental education panels and working groups, guides development of State Park Interpretive Management Plans, and leads various exhibit and non-personal education projects, such as the award-winning exhibits at Hickory Run State Park.
McConnells Mill State Park
"Nature Lessons at Audubon's Hog Island, Maine"
with Dana Hannibal
6 pm, October 14, Clarion Free Library
Seneca Rocks Audubon proudly awarded Dana Hannibal with a scholarship to attend Sharing Nature: An Educator's Camp at Audubon's legendary Hog Island camp off the coast of southern Maine in August. The camp is described as "not your average professional development program!" In an action-packed week, campers learn approaches, methods, and activities for engaging both children and adults with nature.
In this program, Dana Hannibal will tell us about her experiences, learning, and adventures on Hog Island with other nature-loving educators.
Dana Hannibal has been a lifetime, avid naturalist. Beginning at a young age, rolling over stones and logs looking for salamanders and other critters, she was always curious about nature. She received her bachelor degree in Earth Science in 2010 from Frostburg State University and then received her master's degree in Geography in 2015 at West Chester University. In 2017 she began working at her current job at the Jefferson County Conservation District. One of her passions is providing environmental education. Throughout the years at the Conservation District, Dana has shared her knowledge and more through various workshops, trainings, and events. Some of her favorite workshops that she's provided include: backwoods chicks sustainability camp, vernal pool tours, and bluebird box building events with the PA Game Commission.
Dana Hannibal