County EMC honors Ganzhorn with Earth Day Award

   Say the name Barry Ganzhorn and one immediately thinks of the man who loves the outdoors and tirelessly works to preserve it. On May 14, Ganzhorn received the 2008 Earth Day Award for his lifelong appreciation of the environment. The Livingston County Environmental Management Council presents the award annually in recognition of individuals, businesses, agencies, or organizations for outstanding achievements in preserving or improving the Livingston County environment or educating others about Livingston County’s environment.

   Ganzhorn’s fascination for the outdoors began as a young boy growing up in Niagara County. He swam in neighborhood creeks, spent afternoons fishing and snacked on wild fruit growing in the woods. He started hunting wild game as soon as he was old enough. Soon industrialization changed Ganzhorn surroundings and the fruit trees became bare, the wildlife disappeared and the air was no longer a pleasure to take in.

   "Little did I know that several years later my part of the world would become known as Love Canal and that it would affect me and my future family," Ganzhorn commented.

   Someone told Ganzhorn to pay attention to what the wildlife does and you will know what is going on in the environment. The wildlife had moved out and so did Ganzhorn, his wife Sharyn and their two children. The came east to the Village of Caledonia because he had enjoyed visiting the NYSDEC fish hatchery here as a child. It was then that Ganzhorn made a promise to do whatever he could to help, not hurt, the environment.

   Everyday is Earth Day for Ganzhorn, say those who know of his long list of contributions to the environment. He’s the founder of the MacKay Wildlife Preserve Nature Trail on Spring Street in Caledonia. While carrying out a trapping program to reduce the number of diseased fox in the area, Ganzhorn looked at the 26 acres of virgin land on Spring Street, admired its fossils, rock formations, wildlife and the varietiy of trees growing on it, and envisioned a sanctuary, not only for the wildlife living there, but for anyone in the community who would want to walk through it.

   With permission from the Caledonia Village Board, Ganzhorn enlisted another tireless worker, Neil Alhart of Caledonia, and the two of them began clearing overgrown brush and creating trails walking trails. This was not completed overnight, but after hundreds of hours of clearing and cleaning, the MacKay Nature Trail opened to the public with a blessing by local clergy in November 2004.

   Numerous enhancements have been made to the trail since then,all due to Ganzhorn’s efforts, his crew of volunteers and much generosity from local donations, including the Richard D. Thomas Handicap Overlook and the Neil and Ellen Alhart gazebo.

   Ganzhorn wrote a book about the development of the nature trail, MacKay Wildlife Preserve: A Gift and a Vision, which sold out entirely on its first pressing. He donated all of the proceeds to the village for further maintenance of the park.

   Eric Grace, chairman of the LCEMC, said the most important thing that can be done for the environment, is to identify leaders who will work to preserve and improve the environment by rallying volunteers to help the cause rather than spending tax dollars.

   "Barry Ganzhorn certainly has done that with the MacKay Nature Trail," Grace remarked.

   Ganzhorn also operates a transfer station for the Town of Caledonia and educates the community about recycling. He continues to be involved in nuisance animal management and numerous other community service projects that help others and improve the quality of life in Caledonia.

   The nature trail is visited by school classes and many others who report walking the trail when they have a lot on their mind. When they leave the trail, they say the big things seemed very small.

   The day starts for Ganzhorn with a visit to the MacKay Nature Preserve before heading out on the day’s other environmental tasks. Unselfishly, he publicly thanked everyone who had a part in making the preserve a reality including Neil Alhart, the Caledonia Village Board, SUNY Geneseo Geological Science department for their work, the Caledonia Town Board, numerous friends and most of all, his wife and family for supporting his dream.