Program Resources

The Clarion Biology Department is involved in a number of educational and environmental initiatives to connect the university to the community at large. Both current and emeritus faculty are actively involved with various projects and initiatives that support the Clarion and western Pennsylvania areas.

Below is a list of various projects associated with the Biology Department.

Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

Regarding the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program in Clarion County, Dr. Andrew Keth, Clarion University's PNHP project leader, requests the public's assistance. Anyone in the community who has knowledge of interesting species or habitats in the county is asked to call Clarion's PNHP "tip-line" at 814-393-1734 or email aketh@pennwest.edu. These tips will allow the team to focus their fieldwork in the coming months. A few examples might include the sighting of a fisher or rattlesnake crossing the road, large numbers of bats leaving a building or rock outcropping at dusk, or any lizard sightings.

Seneca Rocks Audubon Society

The Seneca Rocks Audubon Society is a recognized chapter of the National Audubon Society and is an active organization in northwestern Pennsylvania. SRAS members are dedicated to protecting wildlife and its habitats, providing outreach education programs to the community, and sharing their appreciation of birds and the natural environment.

The chapter meets at the Clarion Free Library downstairs conference room on the second Wednesday of every month, Sept.-Dec. and March-June. Programs start at 6:30. Visit the Seneca Rocks Audubon Facebook page or www.senecarocksaudubon.org for more information on programs, events, and membership.

Students at Penn West-Clarion are encouraged to contact Dr. Kurt Regester, Biology Department, for more information.

Clarion University Vertebrate Collections

The Clarion University Vertebrate Collections and Museum contains approximately, 2,000 specimens, including study skins, skeletal material, fluid-preserved specimens, and mounts available for loan. The collections are available as a teaching resource for regional educators. Taxonomically, the collection spans 18 bird orders, 11 mammal orders, 2 reptile orders, and 2 amphibian orders. In an effort to increase the accessibility of collection data and specimens to faculty and regional educators, CU students are developing an on-line searchable database.

The database is under construction and can be viewed at: http://cis.clarion.edu/biology

Please contact Dr. Kurt Regester or Dr. Andrew Keth for museum access and loan policies.