Programs

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Nature programs are presented in the Clarion Free Library on the second Wednesday of the months, September through December, and March through June. Programs begin at 6:30 p.m. after a few announcements.

The programs are free and open to the public. Please observe any current CDC precautions for Covid.

"Star Gazing,
or What Else Can I See with My Binoculars?"
with Dr. Susan Prezzano
6:30 pm, Sept. 11, 2024

Please join us for a presentation on using binoculars to observe the night sky.
You might assume that to observe the treasures of the night sky you need to buy an expensive telescope and spend many weeks learning complicated astronomical information. If you are a birder and own a pair of binoculars, you already have one of the best types of equipment needed to observe the heavens. In this presentation, you will learn how to use your binoculars, what resources are available to help you observe, and what celestial objects are within reach of binoculars.
About the presenter: Susan Prezzano is a retired professor of anthropology at PennWest-Clarion University. She specializes in the archaeology east of the Mississippi and has worked on projects in Italy, Antigua, California, and all over the southeast and northeast of North America. Her interest in astronomy started at the age of 14. She began actively observing the heavens when the passage of comet Hale-Bopp in 1997 rekindled her lover of stargazing.
This program is FREE and open to the public.

Andromeda galaxy as viewed from western Pennsylvania. Photo by Susan Prezzano.

"Winter Birds"

with Chris Kubiak
6:30 pm, October 9, 2024
(via live Zoom at Library)

What birds hang around all winter? What do they eat? When can we expect our migrants to pass through or come back? How can we identify key species? This program will cover information from Project
Feederwatch and The Christmas Bird Count, and include our region’s top 20 bird species.
Chris Kubiak is Director of Education at Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. He's a native Pittsburgher and life-long enthusiast of Pennsylvania’s rich biological heritage. He's been an active outdoor enthusiast for the past 25 years in Western Pennsylvania. Chris combines a love and passion of birds and nature with his nonprofit and research experience at Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania.
He also has an academic interest in climate change and its impacts upon humans and ecosystems.
Before joining Audubon, Chris worked as an independent historical researcher and as an adjunct history professor at both CCAC and Robert Morris University.
Chris earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Arts in History from Slippery Rock University.
Chris and his wife, Sarah, currently reside in Butler, PA with their two kids, Maddie and Ewan. Chris and Sarah also manage 8 acres of apple orchards for cider production.

Chris Kubiak, Director of Education at Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania.

"Owls of Pennsylvania"

with Julie Travaglini
6:30 pm, Nov. 13, 2024
(via live Zoom at Library)

Talons and feathers and killer eyesight, oh my! From the tiny Screech Owl, to the “tiger of the sky” Great Horned Owl, explore the amazing characteristics of PA’s 8 owl species.

Julie is the Senior Director of Education and Curriculum for the Allegheny Land Trust (ALT). She has been a leader and innovator in environmental education for 18 years. With advanced degrees in science and teaching, she has been able to merge her passion for conservation and children into a career creating future Earth stewards. She creates standards aligned, hands-on environmental science programming for ages pre-k to grey, as well as state accredited professional development workshops for educators.
Aside from her work with ALT, she is a community leader serving on the Board of Directors or committees for multiple state and national organizations including her current role as President of the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators (PAEE). She has won multiple awards for her work in the environmental education field. She recently self-published a children’s book called Super Skills of Backyard Bugs, available on Amazon.

Julie Travaglini adds fun to her job as Director of Education at the Allegheny Land Trust.