Powdermill Nature Reserve

Specialties

Powdermill Nature Reserve, the environmental research center of Carnegie Museum of Natural History, has been dedicated to its mission of research, education, and conservation for more than 50 years. It is a place for scientists, for students, and for families who are interested in the natural world. The Powdermill bird migration research program is home to the one of the longest continually running bird banding stations in the United States. A wide variety of public education programs serve children and adults. Researchers from around the world conduct diverse long– and short-​term scientific studies in herpetology, botany, invertebrate zoology, and ornithology.

History

Established in 1956.

In 1956, General and Mrs. Richard K. Mellon and Dr. and Mrs. Alan M. Scaife presented to Carnegie Institute, for the use of the Natural History Museum, eleven tracts of land totaling 1,160 acres, beginning about three miles south of Rector. The area was named «Powdermill Nature Reserve, a Research Station of Carnegie Museum.» Over the next several years, additional acreage was added to the Reserve through other generous gifts, and today, Powdermill Nature Reserve offers more than 2,200 acres of woodlands, streams, open fields, ponds, and thickets.

Meet the Manager

John W.

Manager

As director, John Wenzel is defining Powdermill Nature Reserve’s role within Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s high-​level research balanced with broad-​based education and outreach. Wenzel is incorporating conversations about topics surrounding biodiversity and ecosystems – such as habitat loss, climate change, and threatened species – into the museum’s worldwide effort to address these issues. Wenzel is committed to bringing the public into this process to advance understanding and to serve as participants in science.