Programs | SRAS

"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.

Chris Kemmerer

"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

"Conservation of PA Grassland Birds"

with David Yeany II

6 pm, November 11, Clarion Free Library

According to the 2019 North American Grasslands and

Bird Report, less than 40% of North American grasslands still exist, imperiling the grassland birds and other wildlife that depend on them.

David Yeany will present results of fieldwork done for the Pennsylvania Game Commission and updates to that work. The 2018 study is called "Evaluating Pennsylvania's Grasslands to prioritize Conservation for Grassland Nesting Birds."

David Yeany II is a Senior Vertebrate Zoologist and Avian Ecologist for the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC). David grew up in Forest County and has 20 years of professional experience in ornithology and bird conservation. He holds an M.S. in Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology from Frostburg State University and a B.S. in Biology from Messiah University. His work focuses on bird Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), including rare, threatened and endangered. This work covers field surveys, species and habitat monitoring, movement tracking and spatial analysis. Yeany serves on several state and regional bird conservation and technical committees, and he coordinates the international Evening Grosbeak Working Group, part of the Road to Recovery initiative.