Bird Safe Nature Centers Project: Heinz NWR

Bird walk: 8:00 am-10:00 am
Volunteering event: 10:00 am-Noon and/or 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is a haven for birds, and Valley Forge Audubon Society and Bird Safe Philly are partnering with the Refuge to make it even safer for them by installing bird-safe window treatments onto the glass at the Visitor's Center. Collisions with windows are one of the leading causes of bird mortality and can happen at any building that lacks bird-safe glass, including those in preserves and refuges. Join us to connect with nature, learn practical conservation skills, and be part of the Bird Safe Nature Centers Project that helps to protect the birds that we all love.

We will begin each morning with a guided birding outing from 8:00-10:00 am, led by VFAS past president and Bird Safe Philly representative Vince Smith. Then we will head to the Visitor's Center at 10:00 am for a hands-on volunteering session to apply bird-friendly window treatments onto the windows. This installation will make the glass visible to birds, thus preventing window strikes that often end in bird mortality. It’s a simple action that can make a big difference.

Please bring your enthusiasm and willingness to do something tangible to help the birds that make our ecosystems thrive. Bring binoculars if you have them for the birding portion of this event and meet us in the parking lot. If joining us just for the installation, please meet in the Visitor's Center. This is a family-friendly activity and all ages and ability levels are welcome. Rest rooms are available on site.

Registration for the volunteering sessions is requested in advance as it will help us to plan. Please register here: Bird Collisions and Feather Friendly @ John Heinz NWR