First Friday at Audubon

Above and Below the Allegheny River with Piper VanOrd

Friday, January 3, 2025
11:00 a.m. - Noon

$8 Adults
$6 Nature Center members
$6 Children 9 – 15

Reservations appreciated, walk-ins welcome.

Come along with Piper VanOrd on a river journey above and below the water as we explore the Allegheny River and all the fascinating critters that call it home.

After returning from a humanitarian aid trip to Ukraine in July 2023, Piper felt a strong need to reconnect with her natural surroundings to help find her footing. What began as wanting to get a closer look at a Great Blue Heron's feet, quickly became a commitment to get on the river every morning and evening, setting cameras above and below the water's surface. What she found, both on the river and within herself, has become a project full of learning about all the river's fascinating critters. From families of otters, beaver, and raccoon, down to the tiniest critters like water boatman and mayflies, she is constantly amazed by everything that calls the river home and how they're all connected. Come along as she shares videos, and the stories behind them, while exploring the nooks and crannies of the Allegheny River.

Piper VanOrd is the owner of Allegheny Outfitters in Warren, PA. She is the author of the Allegheny River Paddling Guide and a founding member of the Allegheny River Clean-up. Now in its 17th year, clean-up volunteers removed more than 180,000 pounds of metal along from a 31-mile stretch of the Allegheny River and two of its tributaries. Piper is a Leave No Trace Master Educator, ACA Level I and II Instructor, and Wilderness First Aid certified. Above all, she is a student of the river and loves every opportunity to share what makes this waterway so special.

Special Information: If you’d like to bring a packed lunch, you can visit attendees and the speaker after the program.