Audubon plans bird festival, other activities in Buffalo Creek watershed

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will use a $30,000 state grant to put on a bird festival and offer free tree giveaways, youth programs at libraries and more in Buffalo Township and nearby communities.

The nonprofit also will use grant money from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to create a Buffalo Creek watershed coalition group and develop a website, free resident workshops and more.

A recent Audubon report flagged a 10% spike in water quality impairment in just a decade in the Buffalo Creek watershed. That finding was part of a long-term plan for one of the most environmentally unique and beautiful areas in the region.

The Buffalo Creek watershed runs through Butler and Armstrong counties ending in Freeport, where Buffalo Creek empties into the Allegheny River.

Given some of the looming environmental threats and the public’s interest in fishing, walking and other outdoor pursuits, Audubon wants to put together a coalition to work on future projects and the state grant will help start those efforts, according to Sarah Koenig, Audubon’s conservation director.

“We are excited for the opportunity to advance the conservation, stewardship, restoration, and celebration of the Buffalo Creek watershed with this funding,” Koenig said.

Koening said she thinks forming the coalition will build on momentum gained during the process of developing the updated, long-range conservation plan for the watershed.

“Both public input and data analysis pointed toward the same thing – it is critical that we join together to protect this valuable resource,” Koenig said.

Audubon is leading conservation efforts in the watershed because it’s a longtime land owner of Todd Nature Reserve in Buffalo Township. Audubon and Buffalo Township officials are also in the process of building a nature center off Monroe Road along the Butler-Freeport Community Trail.

Audubon’s efforts in the watershed have been supported by a number of groups, including Buffalo Township; the Butler-Freeport Community Trail; Conservation Districts in Butler and Armstrong counties; Penn State Extension; Tree Pittsburgh; the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds; the Worthington-West Franklin, Freeport and South Butler libraries; and Dave Beale, a consulting forester.