Morning Woodcock Walk

When: Saturday, March 28, 2026, 6:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m. Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve Tickets: $10 ($8 for Carnegie Museums Members) What makes that noise that sounds like “peent” in the night? The American woodcock! Also called timberdoodles, bogsuckers, or Labrador twi......More

When: Saturday, March 28, 2026, 6:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m. Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve Tickets: $10 ($8 for Carnegie Museums Members) What makes that noise that sounds like “peent” in the night? The American woodcock! Also called timberdoodles, bogsuckers, or Labrador twisters, these oddly shaped birds are famous for their mating displays (The Sky Dance, as it was called by famed naturalist Aldo Leopold). Join us as we track down this elusive natural phenomenon. We’ll meet in the Nature Center where we will learn more about these fascinating creatures followed by a hike to a field where the timberdoodles regularly display. Bring outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather and a headlamp. This event is weather dependent and will be canceled if it is raining. Purchase Tickets→  

Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States

Sensory Friendly Weekend

When: Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History Tickets: Free with Purchase of Museum Admission Families with members who have sensory processing needs are invited to explore the museum galleries with r......More

When: Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History Tickets: Free with Purchase of Museum Admission Families with members who have sensory processing needs are invited to explore the museum galleries with reduced audio and visual elements. Calming spaces with support materials, including single-use ear plugs, sunglasses, fidget toys, etc., will be available. Museum experts will be on-hand to talk for as little or as long as you want about favorite topics like dinosaurs, rocks, gems, animals, bugs, and much more. Every program is designed to welcome all ages and abilities. Standard sensory friendly supports are in place during regular hours for all Carnegie Museum of Natural History visitors:• Lower lighting in select galleries• Video sounds and exhibit background audio turned off in select galleries• Calming spaces• Takeaway support materials (single-use ear plugs, sunglasses, fidget toys, etc.) To provide the most sensory friendly environment possible, advance registration is recommended. Pre-registration is available online until 3:00 p.m. on the day prior to the program. All customers who pre-register will receive a welcome packet via e-mail with detailed information about the event. Register Now for March 28→ Register Now for March 29→

At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States

Trio Tour

When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 2:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History Tickets: Free with museum admission. Get Tickets → Join knowledgeable Natural History Interpreters to explore three connected specimens, objects, or dioramas on 30-m......More

When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 2:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History Tickets: Free with museum admission. Get Tickets → Join knowledgeable Natural History Interpreters to explore three connected specimens, objects, or dioramas on 30-minute tours. Sometimes the connections will be straightforward, but sometimes you’ll need the expertise of a Natural History Interpreter to connect the dots. Registration not required. Current Tour Theme (March 1–May 31): Nests, Eggs, and Chicks Upcoming Themes June 5–August 30: Pennsylvania Geology September 4–November 29: Botany Biomes December 4–February 28, 2027: Hibernation Preparation Tours take place Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only.  

Evening Woodcock Walk

When: Friday, April 3, 2026, 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve Tickets: $10 ($8 for Carnegie Museums Members) What makes that noise that sounds like “peent” in the night? The American woodcock! Also called timberdoodles, bogsuckers, or Labrador twiste......More

When: Friday, April 3, 2026, 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve Tickets: $10 ($8 for Carnegie Museums Members) What makes that noise that sounds like “peent” in the night? The American woodcock! Also called timberdoodles, bogsuckers, or Labrador twisters, these oddly shaped birds are famous for their mating displays. The Sky Dance, as it was called by famed naturalist Aldo Leopold, begins at twilight. Join us as we track down this elusive natural phenomenon. We’ll meet in the Nature Center where we will learn more about these fascinating creatures followed by a hike to a field where the timberdoodles regularly display. Bring outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather and a headlamp. This event is weather dependent and will be canceled if it is raining. Purchase Tickets→  

Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States

Storytime at the Museum

When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History Tickets: Free with Museum Admission Join us for Storytime at the Museum! Hear nature and science stories read by our Natural History Interpreters and get a chance to ......More

When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Where: Carnegie Museum of Natural History Tickets: Free with Museum Admission Join us for Storytime at the Museum! Hear nature and science stories read by our Natural History Interpreters and get a chance to touch museum specimens. Stop by for one page, one book, or stay for the whole time. Meets in Discovery Basecamp. Registration is not required. Purchase museum admission in advance →  

At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States

Family Nature Walk

When: Saturday, April 4, 2026, 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA 15677Tickets: Free Join us as we hit the trails for a guided nature walk! We’ll meet in the atrium of the Powdermill Nature Center before heading outside to ex......More

When: Saturday, April 4, 2026, 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA 15677Tickets: Free Join us as we hit the trails for a guided nature walk! We’ll meet in the atrium of the Powdermill Nature Center before heading outside to explore. This family-friendly experience is open to participants of all ages. Events fill up fast! Registration is recommended to guarantee your spot and help us plan timing, seating, and/or trail routes. If there are spots available at the time of the program, non-registered individuals can join on a first-come, first-served basis. Register Now →

Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States

R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: Testing the “Sixth Sense” of Anuran Amphibians

Talk: Testing the “Sixth Sense” of Anuran Amphibians Speaker: Dr. Rafael Marquez, Senior Researcher, Museo Nacional Ciencias Naturales When: Thursday, April 9, 2026, 6:00–7:00 p.m. Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required. Anu......More

Talk: Testing the “Sixth Sense” of Anuran Amphibians Speaker: Dr. Rafael Marquez, Senior Researcher, Museo Nacional Ciencias Naturales When: Thursday, April 9, 2026, 6:00–7:00 p.m. Where: Art Theater and online via Zoom Tickets: Free. Museum admission not required. Anuran amphibians (adult frogs and toads) have a very unique adaptation of the inner ear that detects vibrations from soil, water, and plants. Dr. Rafael Marquez, Senior Researcher at the Museo Nacional Ciencias Naturales in Spain, will describe field tests with the emissions of vibrations to shed light on the selective advantage of this seismic detector. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided by Global Wordsmiths for in-person attendees. Registration is required to attend R.W. Moriarty Science Seminars. Register here to attend in person or click here to join us via Zoom.  Upcoming R.W. Moriarty Science SeminarsLearn about scientific discoveries directly from the experts in the field. Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on numerous scientific topics at the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar series.

Science in the Stream Day

When: April 11, 2026, 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve Tickets: Free. Registration recommended. Register for Science in the Stream→ Why do scientists study streams? And what are they looking for? Learn the answers to these questions and try out some......More

When: April 11, 2026, 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve Tickets: Free. Registration recommended. Register for Science in the Stream→ Why do scientists study streams? And what are they looking for? Learn the answers to these questions and try out some scientific techniques yourself with us on Science in the Stream Day! At this family-friendly event you’ll get to meet real scientists, try hands-on experiments, go on a quest around the Nature Center, and get your feet wet in Powdermill Run. Community partners Trout Unlimited Forbes Chapter and Mountain Watershed Association will be on-hand with stream-themed activities to enjoy. Be prepared to get wet, don’t forget your water shoes! Activity ScheduleOngoing throughout the Event: Salamander Survey Scavenger Hunt: Look for model salamanders and record them on your survey sheet. When you’re done, turn your results in for a prize! Natural Materials Boat Building (ends at ​3:15): Build your own small boat to race down the stream at 3:30 p.m. Clay Salamander Experiment: Build your own clay salamander and hide it in the forest! Clay salamanders in nice moist areas will stay soft, but clay salamanders in areas unsuitable for salamanders will dry out. Remember to mark your salamander location on the map, so that you can check on your salamander and others throughout the day. Collect Macroinvertebrates  in the Stream: Get in the water and looks for critters with the expert guidance of a Powdermill educator. Identify Macroinvertebrates: Look at macroinvertebrate specimens through a microscope and learn to identify different species with experts from Powdermill and Mountain Watershed Association. Play in the Mud: Kids are encouraged to play in the mud! Let your little explorers get dirty and have fun. (We’ll have an area to rinse off. Dress accordingly and bring your own towel.) 12:30 p.m.: Watch the documentary RiverWebs in the Nature Center.  1:30 p.m.: Electro-fishing Demonstration with Dr. Mary Janecka, Director of Powdermill Nature Reserve. Meet at the front desk of the Nature Center. 2:00 p.m.:  Watch three short nature documentaries in the Nature Center: Judy’s Creek, Cold Waters, and Guarding Our Waters. 3:30 p.m.: Boat Race! Build a boat from natural materials any time from 12:00-3:15 p.m. and bring it to Powdermill Run to compete.

Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States

Powdermill Avian Research Center Guided Tour

When: Friday, April 17, 2026, 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve Tickets: Free Enjoy a free guided tour of the bird banding lab and research facility, including the flight tunnel. Visit the bird banding lab and see up-close how researchers safely captu......More

When: Friday, April 17, 2026, 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve Tickets: Free Enjoy a free guided tour of the bird banding lab and research facility, including the flight tunnel. Visit the bird banding lab and see up-close how researchers safely capture and band birds, and learn about the data they gather. Learn about how we’re studying avian perception of glass to provide glass manufacturers and building designers with important information that will help reduce bird-window collisions. This event takes place in an area typically closed to the public—don’t miss it! Guests must pre-register for the tour and arrive at Powdermill Avian Research Center by 8:00 a.m. The tour is 1.5 hours long. Register→

Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States

Powdermill Avian Research Center Open House

When: Saturday, April 25, 2026, 8:00–11:00 a.m. Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve Tickets: Free Join us for an open house at the Powdermill Avian Research Center (PARC)! Although PARC is operational year-round, it is typically closed to the public. Open House is your opp......More

When: Saturday, April 25, 2026, 8:00–11:00 a.m. Where: Powdermill Nature Reserve Tickets: Free Join us for an open house at the Powdermill Avian Research Center (PARC)! Although PARC is operational year-round, it is typically closed to the public. Open House is your opportunity to go behind the scenes and watch our scientists at work. See the bird banding processes up close, visit the flight tunnel, learn about avian perception of glass, and talk with Powdermill researchers. Drop in at any time from 8:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. We recommend arriving as early as possible for the best chance to see a variety of birds. Registration is recommended but not required. This event is weather dependent and will be cancelled due to heat (>78 degrees), strong winds, or inclement weather. Register→

Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States