A Fond Farewell

It is with a heavy heart that we say farewell to our naturalist and steward, John Foley, as he sets off on new adventures in the Virgin Islands to start his own nature photography business. John was Great Hollow’s first employee, hired upon its founding in 2016 to restore the property’s former trail network, blaze and mark new trails, beautify the campus grounds, and repurpose the historic houses and barns for use as program rooms, research space, offices, and staff housing. The Great Hollow you see today is largely the result of John’s tireless work over the past seven years. All the while, he developed and led countless outreach programs that attracted a loyal following of regulars as well as a constant stream of newcomers. He also conceptualized and coordinated many of the community events that have become so popular over the years, such as the concert on the lawn series, jazz night, and our fall festival, HollowFest. For anyone familiar with our social media outlets and annual report, you know John routinely captured some of the most amazing photographs of the wildlife and landscapes of Great Hollow. John has been the engine that keeps Great Hollow running, and his departure will undoubtedly be felt until we can find just the right person to fill some very big shoes (and waders). At the same time, we are excited about the possibilities that await him in the Caribbean and will be cheering him on as he pursues his new ventures. Thank you, John, for so many years of selfless dedication to Great Hollow and the communities it serves. You are already missed.