Allegany Nature Pilgrimage

celebrating and learning about nature

About the Event

History

The Allegany Nature Pilgrimage began in 1959. Organized by O. Gib Burgeson and the Jamestown Audubon Society, the first event was attended by 70 participants. From those humble beginnings, the event has grown and has been going strong for over 50 years.

Now organized by volunteers from four nature-loving organizations, the annual event is held at Allegany State Park on the weekend after Memorial Day and it draws hundreds of participants.

Catching baby dragonflies

Dragonfly babies live underwater and are called nymphs.

What Happens There?

The details will vary from year to year, but generally, you can expect something like this:

Campfire

Family Campfire

Friday

  • 10:00 AM Registration Opens
  • 1:00 PM 2-hour Nature Walks
  • 2:30 PM 2-hour Nature Walks
  • 6:00 PM 1-hour bird or beaver walks
  • 7:00 PM Family Campfire
  • 8:00 PM Evening Program
  • 9:30-ish: Night Walks

Saturday

  • 6:00 AM Birdwalk
  • 7:00 AM Bird Banding
  • 9:00 AM 2-hour Nature Walks or 4-hour All-Day Hikes
  • 10:30 AM 2-hour Nature Walks
  • LUNCH: Hot dog Fund Raiser
  • Paper Making Workshop

    Paper Making is a popular Saturday workshop.

    1:00 PM 2-hour Nature Walks

  • 2:30 PM 2-hour Nature Walks
  • 5:00 PM Chicken Barbecue Picnic
  • 5:30 PM Folk Concert
  • 6:00 PM Bird or Beaver Walk
  • 8:00 PM: Evening Program
  • 9:30-ish: Night Walks

Sunday

  • Black-throated Green Warbler

    At the bird banding demonstrations, you can see birds up close!

    6:00 AM Birdwalk

  • 7:00 AM Bird Banding
  • 9:00 AM 2-hour Nature Walk
  • 10:30 AM
    2-hour Nature Walk