BUFFALO TWP — Saturday's event is billed as a celebration of Todd Nature Reserve's 75th anniversary. But the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania's daylong series of nature walks, programs, performances and demonstrations will take place at a nearby site to bring attention to the society's plans to create a new park.

The free festivities will take place at the future site of the Audubon Nature Center on Monroe Road at the road's intersection with the Butler-Freeport Community Trail.

The nearby Todd Nature Reserve, situated in the Buffalo Creek Watershed, is the society's oldest and largest nature reserve.

It was created in 1942 when W.E. Clyde Todd, curator of birds at Carnegie Museum, approached the Audubon Society with an offer of land situated near Leasureville.

The land, was a portion of his grandfather's Hazelwood Farm, the place where his passion for birds began. His gift to the society marked the first parcel of land owned by the society, and it was Todd's hope the land would be kept in perpetuity as a wildlife sanctuary.

In the years that followed, Todd assisted in acquiring additional lands. By early 1970, the reserve stood at 160 acres, and encompassed the streams and valleys that embody the property today.

The Todd Nature Reserve is the anchor of the Buffalo Creek Valley Important Bird Area. The reserve consists of 225 acres and 6 miles of trails open to the public, as well as nonpublic portions used for special programs and research. Since 2000, the society has acquired land or easements on nearly 300 acres, buffering the historic core parcel of the reserve.

Chris Kubiak, director of education for the society, said, “Saturday will feature a whole host of programs and environmental games. It's a pretty big deal and there is a lot of cool stuff.”

“We're going to bookend the day with birds,” Kubiak said. “I will lead a 9 a.m. bird and nature walk. And at 9 p.m., there is going to be an owl prowl.

“They should be able to see screech owls, barn owls and great horned owls. This is a fantastic place for owls. You are probably going to get all three species,” Kubiak said.

In between, he said, there will be karate and gymnastic demonstrations, a dance performance and programs on orienteering, wilderness survival and reptiles.

Kubiak said, in conjunction with Butler-Freeport Community Trail Association, there will be a bicycle raffle, a bicycle parade down the trail and a bike rodeo.

There will be all-day nature crafts and games and food trucks will be on site from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Kubiak added, visitors should park at Freeport Area High School and take a free shuttle to the future nature center site. The shuttle will run from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Visitors will be able to drop their bicycles off at the site before taking their cars to the high school.

The anniversary celebration will also serve to introduce the public to the society's upcoming plans for the former Oregon Gun and Fishing Club on Monroe Road near the high school.

“Audubon looks forward to growing its presence within the Sarver community. Now that our centennial campaign is winding down, we are finalizing plans to create a new park at the intersection of Monroe Road and the Butler-Freeport Community Trail. The park will feature a nature play area as well as a place to picnic and enjoy nature,” said Rachel Handel, communications director of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania.

Kubiak said the society hopes to begin work next year in converting the property to a new Centennial Park.

Features will include:

a nature center along the Butler-Freeport Community Trail

youth and handicap fishing access to Buffalo Creek

a nature play area

pavilions and expanded parking for trail access.

WHAT: 75 Years of Todd Nature Reserve celebrationWHEN: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. SaturdayWHERE: Future site of the Audubon Nature Center on Monroe Road where the road intersects with the Butler-Freeport Community TrailINFO: A shuttle will run between parking at Freeport High School and the site. There will be food trucks on site from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be programs, nature walks, a bike parade and performances all day. All events are free.