BUFFALO TWP — The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is using a storefront along Route 356 to bring attention to Todd Nature Reserve and a new nature park coming on Monroe Road.

Rachel Handel, Audubon Society communications director, said the bird feed store in the Yellow Jacket Square plaza, which opened last week, is a stop for park visitors since there is no center at Todd.

“We didn't have that,” Handel said.

The store, which also sells birdhouses, Audubon books and other related items, has an area with tables and chairs for presentations or classes.

Eventually, the store will relocate to the new park, which is the former Oregon Club camp now owned by the township.

“It is a temporary location,” Handel said.

The permanent store is part of a $1 million campaign that entails construction of a nature center, nature play area, picnic facilities, stream access for fishing and food concessions.

Handel said $956,000 of the total has been raised.

The Audubon Society and the township acquired state grant money — $225,000 from the Department of Economic Development and $200,000 from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Of a total $1 million given by the Richard King Mellon Foundation to the Audubon Society, $250,000 is allotted to the new Buffalo park.

Jim Bonner, Western Pennsylvania Audubon Society's executive director, said the remaining $281,000 came from various donors.

Bonner said additional donations are needed to fill the gap and cover possible cost overruns.

“We're still looking for support,” he said.

The township originally used a state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant to buy nearly 5 acres before buying an adjacent 1.5 acres.

Township Supervisor John Haven, board chairman, said the land was bought for the purpose of turning it into a park.

“We always had Audubon in mind,” Haven said.

The township will retain ownership of the property, but the Audubon Society will operate the park.

The Audubon Society is raising its share of the funds through a $7 million Centennial Campaign.

Work is set to begin this spring.

Along with having a center for Todd, the new facilities will service users of the Butler-Freeport Community Trail.

The Audubon Society already has a store at the Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve in Fox Chapel.

In addition to Todd, the Western Pennsylvania Audubon Society operates the Succop Nature Park off east Airport Road in Penn Township.