National Aviary Launches Matching Campaign for Bird Care
Pittsburgh residents can double their charitable donations to support avian veterinary recovery through the fall.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Birds
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The National Aviary has launched its 2026 Fall Annual Campaign to support avian veterinary care and conservation, highlighted by the recovery of a rescue bird. Pittsburgh residents can contribute to the Avian Conservation Fund, with donations being matched by a local donor.
Why it matters
Financial gifts to the campaign help cover the costs of medical treatment for birds like Harper, a brown pelican that sustained injuries from fishing lines. This campaign helps sustain the specialized resources required for the recovery and ongoing care of residents at the Wetlands habitat.
Dr. Marshall Sklar will match the first $10,000 in donations made to the Avian Conservation Fund. This effectively doubles every contribution, turning a $50 gift into $100 for the National Aviary veterinary care program.
The players
National Aviary
A Pittsburgh-based institution that serves as a center for bird conservation, research, and public education.
Dr. Marshall Sklar
A local donor who is providing a matching gift to incentivize charitable contributions to the facility.
The details
The campaign, titled From Rescue to Recovery, provides financial support for avian rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Donated funds go directly to the veterinary care program that manages the treatment of birds such as Harper, a pelican that arrived at the facility after being injured by fishing gear in Florida. These medical services allow the National Aviary to treat and house rescued birds alongside long-term residents like Ralph.
Timeline
The Fall Annual Campaign began in October 2026.
The Home Front
The National Aviary's Avian Conservation Fund represents a growing trend of specialized medical rescue programs managed by local zoological institutions. These efforts rely on sustained philanthropic support to maintain the high costs of long-term care for injured wildlife.
Local families interested in the facility's conservation work can support the recovery of birds like Harper by contributing to the matching campaign. Residents should monitor the official website for additional updates on the progress of current rescue patients.
The takeaway
The From Rescue to Recovery campaign provides a clear opportunity for residents to double the impact of their charitable giving through a matching program. Consider supporting the facility's veterinary care program to help sustain the recovery of rescued avian patients like Harper.
Further reading
Learn more about local bird care and initiatives at the Birds section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Beaver County Radio.
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