Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania (ASWP) has over 75 years of conservation history in the Buffalo Creek Valley Important Bird Area (IBA). The area is a High-Quality designated watershed and contains some of the best habitat in western Pennsylvania. Buffalo Creek is home to many species of conservation concern such as the Louisiana Waterthrush, Eastern Hellbender, and Indiana Bat. With an updated watershed conservation plan and the Buffalo Creek Nature Center on the horizon, ASWP has been working with a variety of partners, landowners, and municipalities to continue to expand their conservation impact in this unique area.
The IBA-designation has been a helpful tool in securing resources to conserve Buffalo Creek while also rallying residents around this ecological gem. In the past year in Buffalo Creek, ASWP completed the Buffalo Creek Watershed Conservation Plan 10-Year Update, planted multi-functional riparian buffers, launched the Buffalo Creek Watershed Coalition, led dozens of bird walks, conducted a variety of in-school programming, and is working with university partners to conduct a comprehensive water quality sampling program. Earlier this year, ASWP secured $1.2M in NRCS RCPP funding for conservation planning, farmland preservation, water quality monitoring, and installation of best management practices to improve water quality and habitat. They’re excited to break ground this month on the Buffalo Creek Nature Center. |
