LEANNE BRIGHAM
Special to The Leader
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After a 15-minute scenic backroads drive, I approached a quaint little driveway labeled “Greystone Nature Preserve.” As I pulled in, I was greeted by none other than chickens, as well as an adorably excited Australian Shepard.
Diane Clark, the director of the preserve, and her husband Bill Moran, the operational manager, approached my car with the biggest grin on their faces and welcomed me warmly to their beautiful 75-acre preserve.
My first thought while I took in my surroundings was, “How did I not know this place existed?” I was in awe of its natural beauty.
My eyes met a freshly cut, open field lined with every color of autumn. The garden showed signs of a fresh harvest with tomatoes scattered about and sunflowers standing tall. Lake Erie laid flat and peaceful in the distance. The land’s native wildlife flourished about, adding hues of pink, red and white to the lush, high grass.
Clark and Moran have been nature lovers and activists for almost their entire lives.
They were outdoor adventure instructors at the Cassadaga Job Corps Center for eight years, which is where they discovered their love for educating others about the natural world.
Greystone was founded in 1998 with the goal of providing an educational, environmental experience for all visitors. Clark and Moran encourage all their visitors to let their senses wander and develop a connection to the natural wonders surrounding them.
Several students have experienced just that. Every semester, Greystone holds several SUNY Fredonia interns from an assortment of majors.
Interns gain experience in anything from designing a trail, to grant writing, to growing a garden.
Clark and Moran’s genuinity and kindness has won them a sizable number of student volunteers that return year after year, along with the first-ever Excellence in Internship Advancement Award from SUNY Fredonia.
With the pandemic putting a pause on preserve activities, Clark and Moran spend their Saturdays in a tent at the Fredonia Farmers’ Market.
They bring along supplies for kids to make peanut butter bird feeders, so that children can nourish animals in their own backyards. They also bring deer antlers and an armadillo shell, encouraging kids to touch the material and ponder where it came from.
They inspire children to appreciate nature.
Clark and Moran are magical people; if you get the chance to meet them, they will offer you nothing but kindness. When I was at the preserve, they welcomed me into their home for tea and good conversation. They showed me around the preserve and offered me food from their organic gardens and home-grown houseplants. They sang to me as I drove out of their driveway, their dog bidding me farewell as well.
I encourage everyone to visit Greystone and experience all the wonders it has to offer.
Due to COVID-19, many of its workshops and classes have been put on hold, but we can look forward to them picking back up in the spring.
Greystone’s trails are still open daily from dawn until dusk, just remember to call (585) 792-7899 before visiting.
Greystone Nature Preserve is located at 8531 Bear Lake Road, Fredonia, NY 14063.