Harmony Habitats is a project that has been funded by grants, contributions, and fundraisers since May of 2003. It consists of a Pollinator and Woodland Habitat.

We have worked with ASSET Science under the direction of Jeff Polonoli to create habitats with Native Plants that will attract wildlife. Our goal is to provide the students of South Allegheny Elementary onsite outdoor classrooms where they can study wildlife and plants and appreciate the ecosystems they have created.

"Life is always better when you're waiting for something to grow or something to hatch."

Charlotte, from Charlotte's Web (E.B. White)

Learn More....................

Landscaping for Songbirds

How to Garden for Wildlife

How to Compost

What is vermicomposting?

Bird Guide

Here's a list of the bird species we have seen since the bird cam has been set up:

American Robin

Northern Cardinal

Tufted Titmouse

Song Sparrow

European Starling

Crows

Mourning Doves

House Finches

American Goldfinch

Dark-eyed Junco

Black-Capped Chickadee

Blue Jay

Brown-headed Cowbird

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

 E-Mail Me! msa2sae@comcast.net

What's  New?

•  Mrs. Louella Pikras, a Penn State Master Gardener, has volunteered to help our school begin composting and vermicomposting.
•  We discovered Monarch caterpillars and Black Swallowtail caterpillars in the Pollinator Habitat. (Sept. 2006)
• Mrs. Louella Pikras, Penn State Master Gardener, taught the children about vermicomposting. We now have 5 classrooms maintaining worm bins. 

• We now have a storage shed to keep all of our gardening supplies in. Thanks to SA administration and maintenance staff for this very needed storage building. It is located in the inside courtyard.

•  Our new garden bridge arrived in July. It is now part of new paths that will wind through the woodland habitat.

• The South Allegheny School District installed a Bird Cam in the corner of the Woodland Habitat on Nov. 7, 2007- Post-Gazette

• The Consortium for Public Education awarded us $1,054.65 for a school grant entitled "Birds Count" which will enable us to buy 30 binoculars, field guides, and rain gear. We now have the equipment to participate in online bird studies. Daily News, WildBird on the Fly, Celebrate Urban Birds

•  Students become Citizen Scientists and join Celebrate Urban Birds and Great Backyard Bird Count. Daily News ,South Allegheny Podcasts

• Bob Mulvihill, from Powdermill Nature Reserve, explained how to participate in the 2nd PA Breeding Bird Atlas. He also donated 5 birdhouses that will be placed on the school grounds. Projects

•  Watch a slide show of Harmony Habitats in July.      

•  Try blogging about birds!   

•  Our new rain barrel is now in the inside courtyard.     Thanks to Mark Zidak, SA's  Maintenance Surpervisor,for placing the gutter and downspots on the storage shed that will drain into the rain barrel. Nancy Martin-Silber from the PA Resources Council taught our group about water conservation and built the rain barrel. See Projects.    

Key Milestones

•  May 2003 Groundbreaking
•  October 2005 won the Schoolground Habitat Merit Award/K-6 Division from the Audubon Society of Western PA - Daily News
• July 17, 2006 became an official Certified Wildlife Habitat site #67632  by the National Wildlife Federation

•  We are featured on the Celebrate Urban Birds website as a school working in partnership with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
• Our Harmony Habitat group was featured in the Spring 2008 The 2nd Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas. Go to Recent News, The PennsylAvian Monitor newsletter, page 14.
• Ms. Aubrecht receives the 2008 Betty Abbot  Excellence in Teaching Award from the Audubon Society of Western PA. Post Gazette

  Mr. Wayne Gdovic, Director of Elementary Education, and Audrey Aubrecht.	Audrey Aubrecht, Betty Abbot award winner, with W.E. Clyde Todd Awardee Bob Mulvihill. Bob Mulvihill involved our students in the 2nd Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas.

• South Allegheny is now a registered and certified Monarch Waystation.  Our registry number is 2287. Pictures will be featured soon. Our Pollinator Habitat is appreciated for its contribution to monarch conservation by helping to assure the continuation of the monarch migration in North America. Daily News , Tribune Review

• The Woodland Habitat area is now a recognized Audubon Bird Habitat community.

  The property has received a 4 score with the highest being 5 Star. You can create a birdscape at your home also. Go to http://pa.audubon.org to become involved.

  "Improving the quality of land for wildlife is the single most constructive step we can take to assist wild bird population."

  Stephen Kress, Audubon Biologist