Experience a virtual visit to Southern France at Audubon Community Nature Center’s First Friday.

Come to Audubon Community Nature Center (ACNC) for First Friday at 11 a.m. on Jan. 2 when Audubon Nature Educator and Animal Care Specialist Charlotte Schmaltz presents “The Birds of Southern France.”

Schmaltz will share photos and audio recordings of birds and stories of nature and her travel experiences on her recent week-long trip to Southern France. Her visit included an entire day at the Camargue Regional National Park, a wetland wildlife preserve with an ornithological park. Whether it was listening to birdsong during morning walks to the local patisserie or spending several hours outside with a camera and binoculars, she saw and heard many species. Some birds were like those found in Western New York, while others were completely unexpected and new.

In addition to her work at Audubon, Schmaltz is also an avid birder and wildlife photographer. Since moving to Jamestown in January 2025, she has enjoyed learning about the nature and ecology of the region. So far, her favorite trails are the ones at ACNC and those maintained by the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy. When not outside experiencing nature, Schmaltz likes relaxing with her bird, Pepper.

You can bring a packed lunch and visit with attendees and the speaker after the program.

Fee is $8 or $6 for Nature Center members and children ages 9 to 15. Reservations are appreciated and can be made by calling (716) 569-2345 or online at AudubonCNC.org/January-First-Friday. Walk-ins are welcome.

The Nature Center building will be closed on New Year’s Day. It will also be closed Jan. 5 to 16 for annual planning.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren, Pa. You can visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, and hike, snowshoe or ski more than five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the hellbender exhibit, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT and Arts Access cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free Sundays for non-Nature Center members.

To learn more about Audubon and its many programs, call (716) 569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook or Instagram, or visit AudubonCNC.org. Check out AudubonCNC.org/about for a quick fly-by.