FEBRUARY 12, 2025 (PITTSBURGH) – S. Kent Rockwell has announced that the SK Rockwell Conservancy plans to purchase the Shady Side Academy Middle School on Benedum Road in Fox Chapel, with the intention of donating the property to the National Aviary. The partnership will create the National Aviary SK Rockwell Conservancy, a pioneering, world-class avian conservation center that will revolutionize the future of avian veterinary care and the conservation of threatened and endangered bird species both in the U.S. and globally. In addition to the donation of the property, the SK Rockwell Conservancy plans to donate an additional $10 million to ensure support of programs that will occur at the facility.
This announcement builds on S. Kent Rockwell’s long-standing commitment to both his community and avian conservation. In October 2022, Rockwell, a Shady Side Academy alumnus, alongside his partner, Patricia Babyak, made the largest donation in Shady Side’s history in support of a capital project to fund the construction of the new Rockwell Middle School on the main campus in Fox Chapel. In January, leaders from the organizations met with local residents and members of the Fox Chapel Borough Council to share the exciting news. With the school’s master plan calling for the sale of the current middle school property, the vision for the site’s next chapter has now taken shape.
Rockwell’s passion for wildlife and environmental protection, paired with his dedication to the Pittsburgh Community and Shady Side Academy, underscores the deep significance of this partnership with the National Aviary. “In my opinion, the National Aviary has been an under- recognized asset of our community and our nation. Providing this capital infusion should assist the Aviary in gaining the global recognition it deserves as a magnificent investment for our country to enjoy. We look forward to seeing this development further the research and education it will provide to the global avian community,” says S. Kent Rockwell.
Cheryl Tracy, Executive Director of the National Aviary, expressed excitement about the project’s potential. “While hundreds of thousands of annual visitors and online followers recognize the National Aviary as a cultural gem, few realize our global leadership in avian conservation through ecological research, husbandry, education, and groundbreaking healthcare advancements. Avian medicine is underrepresented in the veterinary field, and our new facility will further equip students, wildlife rehabilitators, and researchers with cutting-edge tools to address the most pressing challenges facing birds worldwide.”
Tracy continued, “As part of our Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation, we work to maintain and strengthen the populations of at-risk bird species at home and in the wild. We will now be able to grow these conservation programs, focusing on species deemed at greatest risk for extinction. This project will further elevate Pittsburgh, the Fox Chapel community, and the National Aviary to international status as an avian conservation and healthcare leader.”
The National Aviary SK Rockwell Conservancy will focus on three core areas:
- A state-of-the-art veterinary teaching hospital dedicated to advancing avian healthcare,
- A breeding and conservation center for birds with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature status of Threatened, Endangered, Critically Endangered, or Extinct in the Wild, and
- An interactive educational center offering scheduled programming opportunities, field trips, and resources for local schools and the broader community.
Pending finalization of the purchase, the National Aviary SK Rockwell Conservancy is expected to take possession of the property in early 2026, with a site open date in 2027. While a haven for endangered species, the Conservancy also will offer a wide variety of scheduled educational programs on site, however, the Conservancy will not be open to the public on a daily basis.
The current Shady Side Academy Middle School will be converted into the National Aviary SK Rockwell Conservancy.
The beauty and architectural integrity of the property will remain intact, and the property footprint will remain similar to the current site coverage. Veterinary interns and students involved in conservation, breeding, and research will live in the existing residential units during their practicum. “The conservational significance of this center will make it a sought-after destination for students pursuing careers in avian medicine and conservation from across the country and beyond,” says Tracy.
This project is part of a broader, ambitious master plan for the National Aviary, which includes the renovations of both the veterinary hospital at the Aviary’s North Side location as well as modifications to the donated Fox Chapel property.
The total project is expected to cost $17 million and to date, more than $7 million has been raised, including a generous gift from Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin, which will support the veterinary teaching hospital at the Conservancy. Daniel Kamin, along with his three sons, Matthew, Michael, and Philip also are Shady Side Academy alumni.
The gymnasium will be transformed to the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Veterinary Teaching Hospital, dedicated to training veterinary and wildlife students, fellows, interns, and professionals.
A conservation breeding center will be built behind the mansion that will be secluded to ensure the privacy, safety, and wellness of the birds – conducive to breeding and rearing threatened and endangered species.
The future National Aviary SK Rockwell Conservancy represents an extraordinary opportunity to build a lasting impact on the future of avian conservation, education, and the practice of avian veterinary care around the world.
Renderings provided by PWWG Architects
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