Ornithologist and conservationist David Yeany II will present a program on Maryland’s Marsh Bird Survey April 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the  Seneca Rocks Audubon Society meeting in the Clarion Free Library, 644 Main St., Clarion.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

From a news release: “Atlantic tidal marshes have one of the highest rates of endemic vertebrate species, most of which are birds. In 2012, the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program coordinated Maryland’s portion of the Saltmarsh Habitat and Avian Research Program to help determine status and distribution of saltmarsh birds across the northeast.”

Yeany, a Forest County native, is an ornithologist and conservation planning specialist for the PNHP in the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Pittsburgh office.

Spring migration brings countless birds to Presque Isle State Park, an Audubon Important Bird Area and a great site for birdwatching. Spring also is when Audubon staff and volunteers perform bird banding at the park as part of population, migration and health research.

The banding program for this spring remains only partially funded. Audubon PA and the Presque Isle Audubon Society are working together to raise necessary funds, including through donations and ”Adopt-a-Bird” certificates.

To contribute, you can send a check to Audubon PA Banding, 301 Chestnut St, Meadville, PA 16335, or to PIAS Banding, 301 Peninsula Drive, Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Erie, PA, 16504.

Audubon Pennsylvania and the Presque Isle Audubon Society are accepting volunteers to help with a work day March 23 at Gull Point on Presque Isle State Park.

Volunteers must preregister by e-mail to Sarah Sargent at ssargent@audubon.org. Plan to meet at the Beach 10 parking lot, near the Gull Point trailhead, at 9 a.m., and to work until noon. Dress for the weather, and wear footwear suitable for the hike to the point.

New access trails to the relocated observation platform are being established. Posts and signs will be installled and rope strung between them from the boundary trail to the platform. “Area closed” posts will be placed around the point, facing Lake Erie, to alert boaters not to land. The Pennsylvania Game Commission also will provide signage.

Gull Point access is restricted each year between April 1 and Nov. 30 because of the area’s importance to birds during migration and nesting seasons.

The Northwest Pennsylvania chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will have its annual dinner and benefit auction March 16 at 3:30 p.m. at Cross Creek Resort, 3815 Route 8, Titusville.

Two of the four founding directors, Charlie Decker and Bob Munson, will be on hand to celebrate the organization’s 25th anniversary during a reception at 2 p.m. for any current Life/Sponsor/Habitat members or anyone interested in upgrading their membership.

Ticket costs, which include an annual membership and a prime rib or chicken dinner, range from $75 for an individual to $380 for couple sponsor. Seating is limited to 275 people. Buy them online here.

A pre-banquet raffle will include a Ruger Hawkeye .270 with carved stock; Savage 30.06 with scope; Remington 870 Camo 12-gauge; Savage 93R 17XP Camo with scope. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10.

For information, call Barb Tobin at (814) 425-7528 before 9 p.m.

Since 1984, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation says it has conserved more than 6 million acres of prime elk country, opened more than 650,000 acres of previously off-limits land to public access and helped restore elk to six states.

Help Presque Isle State Park turn the corner toward spring and summer by taking part in the 57th annual Spring Clean-Up April 20 from 9 a.m. t0 1 p.m.

Volunteers will register at the Rotary Pavilion from 9-11 a.m. They’ll join volunteers from the Presque Isle Environmental Education staff, the United Way of Erie, S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie and the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup to clean up stormswept beaches.

Lunch will be served for all registered participants from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the most unusual piece of trash found.

This event is appropriate for all ages and organizations. Service hours are available.

Groups with 20 or more participants only may preregister by April 5 by e-mailing Brian Gula at bgula@pa.gov. No phone calls, please.

For information about this or other programs, contact the park office on the second floor of Tom Ridge Environmental Center at (814) 833-7424.

Volunteers are invited to join Presque Isle State Park naturalists March 16 to explore and clean up Gull Point Natural Area before seasonal access closes April 1.

The work crew will clean the shoreline and trails from 9 a.m. to noon so migratory shorebirds have a pristine habitat to rest and feed during their migration season.

Registration is required; call Stacey Marendt at (814) 833-7424. Service hours are available.

The Gull Point observation deck at Presque Isle State Park has been moved from its previous site farther inland and now stands closer to the water on a part of Gull Point that has had invasive plant species removed. According to the park’s plans, the bare sandy ground surrounding the tower will regrow with native species that were overgrown with the invasive species. ANDY COLWELL/Erie Times-News file photo

The Roger Tory Peterson Institute’s annual open house is Dec. 1 at the institute grounds, 311 Curtis St., Jamestown, N.Y.

Admission is free during the event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and there will be music by Svenska Spelman at 1 p.m. There also will be a raffle.

Check out a few exhibits while you’re there: Arthur Singer, illustrator of the “Golden Guide to Birds;” Stanley Meltzoff’s the great game fish; Roger Tory Peterson‘s original paintings; and Peterson’s Swedish Linnaeus Medal.

The Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, N.Y. JACK HANRAHAN/Erie Times-News file photo

An improvement project for at Raccoon Creek Park broke ground today at the 195-acre site in Springfield Township.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said it has invested $152,000 through its Community Conservation Partnerships Program, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Coastal Zone Management Program is providing $136,000.

A new pavilion and restrooms will be constructed, along with a food preparation area, utility room, picnic shelter and landscaping.

The project will feature energy-efficient lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, a tankless hot water heater and native plantings.

“The health and vitality of our communities is reflected in the quality of their parks and trails, access to waterways, open spaces, and opportunities to be active outdoors,” DCNR Secretary Richard Allan said in a news release. “This project is sure to increase visitors who are looking for great fishing opportunities, access to Lake Erie or a great place for their children to play.”

Sen. Jane Earll also took part in the groundbreaking.

The DCNR grant money was provided through the Keystone Fund generated from a portion of the real estate transfer tax.

The DCNR said the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, which stocks Raccoon Creek with steelhead, has indicated an interest in making stream improvements once the park rehabilitation is complete. State Game Lands 314 also borders the park. The DCNR said the township intends to partner with the Pennsylvania Game Commission on trail improvements, security and limited archery hunting.

Bob Hetz of Fairview was awarded the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Ralph W. Abele Conservation Heritage Award.

Bob Hetz, third from left, was presented with the Ralph W. Abele Conservation Heritage Award Thursday near the mouth of Trout Run. Present for the presentation were, from left, S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie President Jerry Skrypzak; Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission District 1 Commissioner Ed Mascharka; Hetz; Erie County Executive Barry Grossman; Patricia Norcott Miller (on behalf of state Sen. Jane Earll, R-49th Dist.); and Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director John Arway. Contributed photo

It is the commission’s highest recognition for individuals “who have distinguished themselves in the cause of conservation,” commission Executive Director John Arway said.

Arway and Ed Mascharka, the District 1 commissioner, presented the award Thursday at the commission’s public access area at Trout Run, Fairview Township.

Hetz is a charter member of the 3-C-U Trout Association, which cooperates with the commission on raising and releasing fish. “He is the individual who provides the leadership and effort to maintain the raceways, feed the fish, and stock them, Arway said. “The success of Pennsylvania’s steelhead program is largely due to the effort of the 3-CU Trout Club and Bob.”

Hetz was nominated by Jerry Skrypzak, president of S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie.

Also participating in the ceremony were Erie County Executive Barry Grossman; Fairview Township Supervisor Pete Kraus; S.O.N.S. President Jerry Skrypzak; and Patricia Norcott Miller on behalf of state Sen. Jane Earll, R-49th Dist.

The French Creek Valley/Erie Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society will host its 14th annual Conservation and Sportsmen’s Banquet Sept. 28 at the Erie Maennerchor Club, 1607 State St.

The evening will start with a reception party at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.

Individual membership and dinner tickets are $55; family membership package — which includes two dinners — is $90, with additional family dinners available at $35 each. Banquet, Conservation and Sustaining sponsorship packages are also available at $275, $500 and $1,000 respectively.

Those under the age of 16 who recently took and passed a hunter education course and/or women who have participated in a recent Outdoors Women program, and can verify same; will receive a complimentary dinner ticket when accompanied by a paying adult.

RGS regional biologist Linda Ordiway is the scheduled guest speaker. Ordiway will discuss the chapters habitat project on State Game Land 101.

The evening will feature a live and silent auction, games, drawings and door prizes, highlighted by firearms, artwork and collectibles.

For tickets, call Dan Jr. tonight at (814) 434-5272 or Michelle Friday during the day at (814) 774-9621.

Proceeds will be used to restore and protect grouse and woodcock habitat.