In Your Own Backyard
Unplug and Explore at Grace Farms in New Canaan Spend 10 minutes with New Canaan native and nature aficionado Mark Fowler and you realize very quickly, the apple indeed, does not fall far from the proverbial tree. By KathrynMayer
M ark Fowler, raised in New Canaan, Connecticut, grew up as a globetrotter with his mother, talented artist Betsey Fowler, and father, renowned wildlife expert Jim Fowler, beloved host for over 30 years of “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.” Today, Mark Fowler, an award-winning filmmaker, conservationist, and popular wildlife spokesperson and advocate, is bringing his vast wildlife experience home to New Canaan, returning as the Nature and Wildlife Ambassador at Grace Farms Foundation, where he creates adventurous and inspiring preservation “YOUWON’TMINDGETTING MUDDY TODAY, WILL YOU? IT’S INCREDIBLE – THE PONDS ARE ALIVE AND SINGING.”
programs for its Nature Initiative. “You don’t experience nature by watching it on a screen,” said Fowler while pointing to a red- tailed hawk soaring high above Grace Farms’ rolling 80 acres. “Kids spend too much time in front of screens. It’s my mission at Grace Farms to reintroduce them to the great outdoors.” This is not so different from the work of his dad, Jim Fowler, who brought nature and adventure
“At Grace Farms, we aim to inspire and encourage families to put down the tablets, video games, and all screens, get off the couch, and get outside and explore. It’s good for the heart, good for the soul, and good for sustaining future generations of environmental caregivers.” His mission is uniquely dovetailed with the mission of Grace Farms Foundation to blend landscape, architecture and art to let people know the power of nature to foster connection and build community. Fowler aims to challenge kids with adventure opportunities, like his Backyard Explorers program, to have children and adults get outside, get dirty, and explore the natural world around them. Grace Farms was established and designed specifically to do just this, and so much more. In highly coveted, affluent Fairfield County, open space is rare, and if available at all, excruciatingly expensive. Despite
MARK FOWLERWITH AN AMERICAN KESTREL
inside the home to TV screens for decades, and by doing so, inspired generations of baby boomers with stories of outdoor exploration. Families gathered in front of the television on Sunday nights to get a peak at the wilderness beyond their reach. “My dad did amazing work with his television program, expanding horizons and
introducing wildlife to millions of families week after week, year after year,” Fowler proudly said. “His impact is immeasurable.” Times have changed, however, and the second generation Fowler wants to get kids away from the TV and all screens. “We’ve never been more disconnected from the natural world,” Fowler said.
164 WESTONMAGAZINEGROUP.COM
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker