white memorial conservation center
In the heart of the Litchfield Hills, a mere two hours away from the hustle and bustle of New York City, exists 4,000 acres of unspoilt nature protected by The White Memorial Foundation. Come and discover the unique beauty of New England!
In summers of the past, we took our art supplies and sat by the edge of the boardwalk under a shady tree, eagerly trying to replicate the beauty of a wildflower or an elusive butterfly. The bittersweet evenings of late summer are remembered for stolen moments of precious solitude during which I delighted in the opportunity to bring a busy day to a blissfully idle conclusion by watching the industrious inhabitants of a beaver lodge at a local riverbank. Autumn was a time for gathering fallen leaves with excited schoolchildren in anticipation of finding real-life examples of the various leaf-shapes from our botany cabinet at the local Montessori school. And the deep snows of our Connecticut winter meant that walks became more energetic but with a clearer purpose; our boots left tracks across the field towards the little shed from where we quietly spied on the hungry birds that came to dine at the feeders. In the shed there was only silence, and in the silence there was magic.
Now that spring is trying its best to establish itself here in Vienna, my thoughts have returned to rural Connecticut where we followed our own nature-based rituals in accordance with the passing seasons. Spring in New England is always welcomed with joyful enthusiasm, after a winter that is often long and loath to leave. In spring, New Englanders celebrate the sighting of the first snowdrop or crocus and begin to listen for the sounds of outdoor renewal and rejuvenation. Our spring walks along the trails of the White Memorial Foundation’s extensive property introduced us to the music of peepers in the pond and the colorful flash of a red-winged blackbird as it emerged from the reeds.
I recently connected with Gerri Griswold, Director of Administration and Development at the conservation center, to learn a little more about her work there while I indulged myself in a little nostalgic journey down memory lane. What a gratifying experience that was! Her commitment to the mission of connecting people with the natural world shines through this short conversation:
Have you lived in Connecticut all your life, Gerri? What aspects of nature do you enjoy there?
I was born and raised and still reside in Winchester, Connecticut. I actually own the farm that my Great Grandfather purchased in the late 1800's. Today it is a non-working farm but I manage to keep a few goats, a pig, and some bats..yes bats! I have been handling bats for 29 years as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. It is because of my work with bats, that I ended up at White Memorial.
Growing up poor, Nature was really all we had and that was plenty. I remember sunny days catching frogs, laying in a golden field with my dog eating watermelon picked from the vine, picking wild blueberries and fishing for brook trout. I remember watching bats streaming from the old barn. I have two older sisters and a younger brother. We spent so much time outdoors. Those were the days when kids were dispatched in the morning and would return for lunch or dinner. I was fascinated by animals. My father was an arborist and brought animal orphans home for us to raise and release. This was long before wildlife rehabilitation was regulated. Some of our patients were raccoons, opossums, a Canada Goose, and a fox. I had an eccentric uncle who taught me about birds and edible plants. It never really ever occurred to me that we were poor.
Eventually I went off to college in New York City (Imagine that transition! Surprisingly, it was SEAMLESS!). It was obvious to me that my roots were at that farm and that it would always be a part of my life. I am a career hopper. I travel as much as I can. I cooked professionally for many years (a kitchen is where you end up with an art history degree). I made a move into broadcasting, which I continue to do part time while working full time at the Conservation Center. Nature clearly has been a powerful and potent force throughout my life.
Can you tell us what interests you most about working at White Memorial?
Oh my...how could you not be entirely smitten with White Memorial!??? I had a very successful career in broadcasting when I received a call from our Research Director, James Fischer. He invited me to apply for the position I currently hold. Bats have been a huge part of my life. I was always bringing my animals to White Memorial to teach programs. I think perhaps that, coupled with my media background, made them interested in what I could offer. Nobody in his or her right mind would turn down a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work there. I was no fool. So, why would you care to work at White Memorial? The story behind its Founders, brother and sister, Alain and May White gives me goosebumps to this day. The Foundation was born in 1913, the same year that Connecticut's State Park system was founded. The Whites were land junkies in a time when everything was agriculture, they believed in the importance of saving open space. They were true visionaries. They acquired 60% of the land around Bantam Lake, Connecticut's largest natural lake. The Whites amassed 4000 acres in Litchfield / Bantam/ Morris in addition to another 6000 acres in places as far-reaching as Old Lyme (down on the Connecticut shoreline). They then GIFTED those 6000 acres to The State of Connecticut...the nucleus of our Park system rests completely on a foundation of land gifted by Alain and May. Some of Connecticut's most beloved state parks were once owned by the Whites. I am completely convinced that Alain and May White were two of the greatest land conservationists in the United States.
But it gets even better (if you can even imagine!). Neither of them married but their focus was on teaching children the value of Nature and to get children out in Nature to experience the wonders found in their own backyards. Camps were set up on their property around Bantam Lake to give city children these experiences. Local children were treated to plays and ice cream socials in the back gardens of Whitehall, the summer home of Alain and May White, the vestiges of which are today our Nature Museum. They were the most remarkable people...kind and benevolent...never looking for headlines...just the biggest givers you could ever imagine. I want to believe that the work that all of us accomplish today at the Conservation Center is an extension of what Alain and May accomplished and that they are smiling down upon us. I love sharing their story of kindness....I love sharing their love of Nature. I appreciate our Board and our Executive Director who support our ideas and the programs and research we conduct. It is a heavenly place to work.
You can discover a wealth of information about The White Memorial Conservation Center at the following link:
Guided by the four principles of conservation, education, recreation and research, the center, located off of Route 202 between Litchfield and Bantam provides year-round environmental education programs for children and adults.
Having lived adjacent to this beautiful facility for many years, it brings me such pleasure to connect you with this special corner of natural paradise. I spent many an afternoon perched on a rock there, while enjoying a good book.
Which reminds me…..
Thank you so much for the conversation, Gerri! Before we conclude, the Phonetic Planet community always loves to get book recommendations! Could you recommend a few nature-themed books from your own childhood?
One I read over and over again was Rascal by Sterling North. Another (a real fantasy book but a favorite) is The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. More contemporary but terrific is A Bat in My Pocket, A Memorable Friendship by Amanda Lollar and how can you possibly resist Stellaluna by Janell Cannon? There is a book in our Museum that I believe should be published. It's called May and Me. Text by Jeff Greenwood (our retired Education Director with illustrations by Randy Gilman) It is the story of Alain and May White. I'd love to have it available for sale in our gift shop. Another project to put on my list!
Guided by the four principles of conservation, education, recreation and research, the White Memorial Conservation Center, located off of Route 202 between Litchfield and Bantam provides year-round environmental education programs for children and adults that inspire understanding, appreciation, and respect for the natural world.