It’s time again for the annual Shaver’s Creek Birding Cup! Beginning birders, try your luck to win the Potter Mug. Think you’re the best birder in your county? Try for the County Cup. Willing to brave the search for birds on foot, bike, or boat—and forego any form of motorized transportation? You stand to achieve…
The Naturalist Notebook
Welcome to the Shaver’s Creek blog! The entries here are posted by staff, interns, and volunteers, and aim to keep you informed about the programs, updates, and natural history happenings here at the Creek. Enjoy!
Spaces are still available at our storytelling program on Friday. Join Clem Bowen for songs, stories, skits, and a short hike outside! An Evening of Storytelling Friday, April 27, 6:00–7:30 p.m. Cost: $12 per family; $10 per family of members Clem Bowen, an engaging and imaginative storyteller, often delights children in schools and libraries in…
This Monday, April 16, two extraordinary people will be speaking at Penn State’s University Park campus. Both programs are free and they’re even within easy walking distance of each other! E.O. Wilson: biologist, researcher, theorist, naturalist, author, and man who shows no signs of stopping anytime soon, has just released a book entitled “The Social…
Just as wildflowers are popping up all over, our public programs list for April is also in full bloom. We have plenty of opportunities for the whole family to come out to Shaver’s Creek and get excited about the natural world. Space Explorers: Mission IIFriday, April 137:00–9:00 p.m. As the days get warmer, so do…
Spring is in full swing in central Pennsylvania and a multitude of birds are making their way back north as the cold leaves our region and food reappears. That means that it's the perfect time to join us for our Migration Morning Bird Walks at Shaver's Creek! Naturalists Doug Wentzel and Joshua Potter will help…
Are you an incoming first-year Penn State student to University Park campus? Are you looking to build friendships and spend a week in Philadelphia participating in fantastic community service opportunities, both indoors and outdoors? Then consider USE — the Urban Service Experience offered by Shaver’s Creek, Penn State’s Nature Center. Students enrolled in USE will…
It’s the first day of spring, and Maple Harvest Festival is almost here! Join us this weekend, March 24 and 25, for an action-packed day of maple sugaring demonstrations, interactive teaching stations, live music, Bird of Prey shows, and the ever-favorite all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. Our pancake breakfast features pure maple syrup from regional PA producers,…
As you may know, at Shaver’s Creek we “trashed” our trash dumpster last year. We now recycle and compost nearly every single item that passes through our facility. Of course, this was not just for our own benefit; we want to inspire people to strive for zero waste in their own homes, and think about…
It's that time of year again – where teachers, naturalists, administrators, students, and environmental education professionals gather for one conference: the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators (PAEE) conference, titled: "Earth: The Educator's Manual." Shaver's Creek staff have been helping to prepare an exceptional event. Expect workshops and presentations on citizen science, engaging diverse audiences, using…
The skunk cabbage is blooming, the sap is flowing, and young bird fancies are turning to thoughts of love—especially if the young bird in question is a bald eagle. Bald eagles start nesting in late February and early March, and the bald eagles here at Shaver’s Creek are no exception. We have three bald…