Juniata Valley Audubon Society

09/20/2026

Juniata Valley Audubon Society is deeply concerned about a new executive order directing federal agencies to permit the use of traditional lead am******on and fishing tackle on federally managed lands.

During the September 17 signing, President Donald Trump openly acknowledged that he did not understand the lead-am******on provision, saying, “I don’t know what the hell that means,” before adding that hunters wanted it.

This is not an abstract issue. Our past president, Michael Kensinger, has personally held dying Tundra Swans that had ingested spent lead pellets. He has witnessed the slow, painful deaths that lead poisoning can cause.

Lead is a toxic metal that can remain in the environment and poison birds and other wildlife. Waterfowl may mistake scattered pellets for grit or food, while scavengers can ingest fragments left in animal remains. Nonlead alternatives are available.

Decisions affecting wildlife, public lands and environmental health should be based on sound science and a clear understanding of their consequences. The president’s own remarks show that he was unfamiliar with this provision when he signed it. Wildlife should not bear the consequences of uninformed policymaking.

Executive order:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose and Every child deserves a safe and nurturing home where they can learn, grow, and reach their full potential. Adoption makes that possible by opening...

09/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our JVAS cheetah program! 🐆💚

We had a great evening learning more about these incredible animals, enjoying some cheetah-themed “Savannah Snacks,” and spending time with so many familiar and new faces.

A huge thank-you to Justin Merry for being our presenter and sharing his knowledge, stories, and enthusiasm with us. We also want to thank the Cheetah Conservation Fund for the important work they do to protect cheetahs and their habitat, and for helping inspire programs like this one.

And, of course, thank you to everyone who came out, asked questions, shared in the conversation, and helped make the evening such a fun one.

We’re grateful for such a wonderful community of people who care about wildlife, conservation, and the natural world. We hope to see you at another JVAS program soon!

09/04/2026

Press Release: Monarch Butterfly Migration

🦋 Monarch Butterfly Migration – Sunday, September 27, 2026 from 2pm-3:30pm:

🏡 Fort Roberdeau will host a free special program exploring one of nature’s most remarkable journeys, the annual migration of the monarch butterfly. The program will take place Sunday, September 27, from 2:00–3:30 p.m. at Fort Roberdeau.

As summer comes to an end, millions of monarch butterflies begin their long journey south to their overwintering grounds in Mexico.

⭐️ Join Master Naturalist and Xerces Society Ambassador Kristy Gallo to learn about the monarch’s fascinating life cycle, migration, the challenges these butterflies face along their journey, and how we can help protect them. Butterflies, other pollinators, and invertebrates are important for the flowers we love, the food we eat, clean water, and are a critical food source for other wildlife.

Kristy is a resident of Bellefonte, PA. She is a biologist by degree, artist and naturalist by heart. She volunteers much of her time in community outreach, land stewardship, landscape design and habitat installation.

This program will begin with a presentation in the upper barn, followed by a walk through the Fort’s conservation grasslands for a butterfly spotting walk. Please be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and hiking.

Guests of all ages are invited to discover more about these beautiful butterflies and how they can help support monarchs and other pollinators in their own backyards.

Admission and Parking: Admission free, parking free, donations welcome.

📧 Contact: Emilie Deffenbaugh
Address: 383 Fort Roberdeau Road, Altoona, PA 16601
Phone Number: 814-946-0048
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FtRoberdeau
Instagram: Fortroberdeau
Website: www.fortroberdeau.org

09/02/2026

🐦 Help us make a difference for local birds!

Our Fall Birding Classic is about more than counting birds…it’s about turning a fun day of birding into real support for local conservation projects throughout Blair County and the surrounding region. 🌿

October 9th 5 pm to October 10th 5 pm is the event window for the actual competition but you can donate anytime.

We’re asking our friends, neighbors, birders, nature lovers, and anyone who cares about local wildlife to help us reach our fundraising goal.

Every donation matters…whether it’s $5, $10, $25, or more. Together, those contributions can add up to meaningful conservation work right here in our own communities.

💚 Please consider donating at the link below…and if you can’t donate, sharing this post helps tremendously too!

You can also make an in-person donation at our next meeting on September 15 at the Bellwood-Antis Public Library! Our presenter begins at 7 PM, so come a little early, grab some snacks and a cup of bird-friendly coffee, and spend the evening with fellow nature lovers. ☕🐦

Let’s bird for a purpose…and give something back to the places and wildlife we love. 🍂🌿

Support local bird conservation through your participation in the Juniata Valley Audubon Society Fall Birding Classic and by sponsoring your favorite team of birders!

09/02/2026

Ready to put your fall birding skills to the test? 👀

Juniata Valley Audubon Society is excited to invite you to our FIRST ANNUAL FALL BIRDING CLASSIC! 🏆

This isn’t your ordinary birding competition. We’re pumpkin-spicing things up a bit! 🎃

Teams can choose from a myriad of categories, making the Fall Birding Classic accessible to all kinds of birders, whether you’re out for some friendly competition, a serious day of birding, or simply an excuse to enjoy migration season with friends. 🙂

*** Team registration is $20 per person, with the hope that participating teams will go above and beyond by raising additional funds to support bird conservation. ***

And here’s where things get interesting…

Not every bird is created equal on the scorecard! 😳

Individual species have been assigned different POINT VALUES based on their relative challenge and scarcity. Some birds may be worth just 1 point, while others can earn your team as many as 6 points! That means strategy matters. A long species list is great—but finding the right birds could make all the difference.

Fall is also one of the most exciting (and humbling) times to be a birder. This adds a special layer to this birding cup.

Migration brings an incredible variety of species through our region, while immature birds, molting adults and those wonderfully confusing fall plumages can open a whole can of worms when it comes to identification.

So grab your binoculars, assemble your team, brush up on those field marks and join us for a fun new way to celebrate fall migration, friendly competition and bird conservation!

This event will be held from 5pm October 9th to 5pm on October 10th. Visit our website at JVAS.org to register for the event and for more details.
We hope you’ll join us and help make the First Annual JVAS Fall Birding Classic one to remember!

To donate to our cause for LOCAL BIRD CONSERVATION PROJECTS please check out the comments where I will include a direct link to donate online. Any amount welcome! We have a goal of reaching $1,000. WE CAN REACH THAT GOAL WITH YOUR HELP! 🦅

Thank you for your consideration!

08/25/2026

🍁 Something new is taking flight this fall!

A new Birding Classic will be launching very soon! This one will have a new twist. 😉🐦🏆🍁 Stay tuned!