PUBLISHER'S PAGE - Close Encounters of the Bird Kind

This month’s cover features the National Aviary, together with some children who appear to be having a wonderful time. Located just across the Allegheny River from Downtown, the aviary is located on the historic North Side in West Park just five blocks from PNC Park.

In the late 19th century, Pittsburgh’s first plant conservatory was established at the present aviary location until it was destroyed by a natural gas explosion in the late 1920s.

In 1952, the conservatory was rebuilt by the city of Pittsburgh and opened with the addition of birds to the indoor gardens.

In 1968, the Aviary-Conservatory’s largest exhibit, a walkthrough tropical marsh and six other exhibits were constructed which doubled the size of the institution. The aviary was one of the first zoos to present its collection of birds in free-flight rooms together with natural exhibits with over 25,000 square feet of space.

In the 1980s, the aviary began to change its focus more toward wildlife conservation and embarked on captive breeding of rare and endangered birds. However, the city considered closing the institution in 1991 due to budgetary cuts. It was then that a group of concerned citizens came forward and formed Save the Aviary, Inc. a private non-profit corporation, and, with much hard work and support from the community, privatized the aviary in 1992.

With only four full-time employees to run the entire facility, no previous donor base or foundation support, the aviary faced a great challenge. With a board of 24 dedicated people, the upward climb to financial stability began. Then in 1993, by declaration of the United States Congress, the Pittburgh Aviary was designated with honorary national status and renamed National Aviary in Pittsburgh. A successful capital campaign was undertaken in 1995 to raise funds for essential renovations. The renovations were completed in 1997 and included a much needed parking lot, a gift shop, Endangered Bird Breeding Center, education classrooms, and a Victorian glass domed atrium.

The City of Pittsburgh and the Historical Review Commision awarded the National Aviary with a special recognition award in May 1998 because of these Phase I renovations.

The National Aviary is open everyday 9-5 except for Christmas, it’s indoors, and parking is free. It’s a real bargain.

For more information, call 412-323-7235 or visit the National Aviary web site at www.aviary.org.

A. Robert Scott
Publisher/Owner

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