Educational Center will be managed by Mass Audubon , and its modular classrooms also will be available for rentals .
Mass Audubon ’ s collaborative involvement with the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center is built on a foundation of environmental advocacy , says Becky Cushing Gop , Regional Director of Mass Audubon West . The largest conservation nonprofit in New England , Mass Audubon has spent decades advocating for the protection of Greylock Glen . “ When the town of Adams officially announced the search for an education provider of the Outdoor Center , we were very excited to respond with a proposal ,” says Cushing-Gop . “ More people than ever before are finding that a connection with nature — whether for outdoor recreation , solace , or general overall health — is important to their lives , and this remarkable new destination and regional resource will provide that and more .”
Stephen Hutchinson , Senior Regional Director for Mass Audubon ’ s Central and Western regions , believes that educational programming at Greylock Glen Outdoor Center will advance all three aspects of Mass Audubon ’ s action agenda : protecting resilient landscapes , advancing inclusive access to nature , and mobilizing to fight climate change . “ Greylock Glen offers a rich , biodiverse outdoor classroom for visitors and locals , which aligns perfectly with the programming that we ’ re going to be offering . If people are getting out in nature and experiencing it for themselves by hiking or biking on the Greylock trails , it fosters a deeper connection to the environment . That can open people up to educating themselves and participating in environmental advocacy .”
Visitors can expect on-site Mass Audubon staff members to conduct guided tours of Greylock Glen , which will tie into the classes offered there . There are plenty of ongoing organized activities at the neighboring Mount Greylock State Reservation prior to the center ’ s opening . They include “ Nice & Easy Trail Hikes ” on March 1 and March 15 at 1 p . m .; a family-friendly Tree Identification Hike led by Department of Conservation and Recreation forester Kevin Podkowka on March 22 at 11 a . m .; and a Qi Gong and Tai-Chi class on March 10 at 10 a . m ., which is co-sponsored by Canyon Ranch
The Greylock Glen Outdoor Center ' s three peaks mimic the outline of the nearby mountain ranges .
in Lenox . ( More details are available at the mass . gov .)
As the Outdoor Center gears up for its opening , Daniel Dus , owner and operator of Shared Estates , is working diligently to bring the next phase of the Greylock Glen Resort project into fruition : a beautiful , ecologically sustainable campground . The project will follow up on Shared Estates successful entry into the luxury rental market in the Berkshires , and Dus will apply the same crowdfunded business strategy towards the development of the camper park .
Shared Estates provides affordable luxe group rental lodging at properties that are owned by hundreds of individual shareholders who range from local residents to independent financial entrepreneurs around the country . The current and historic roster of carbonneutral properties includes four restored and renovated rental estates : the Kemble Inn in Lenox ; the Freeman Berkshires estate in Great Barrington ; The Playhouse in Lee ; and The Brookman in Williamstown . With the development of the camper park at Greylock Glen , Dus will echo his company ’ s philosophies of environmental sustainability and community ownership . By offering the same crowdfunded opportunities , he aims to provide equitable investment opportunities while creating a haven for outdoor tourists in the Berkshires .
The collaboration between Shared Estates and the Greylock Glen Resort project started with an outreach by former State Rep . Adam Hinds in 2022 . " The project is the largest economic development and conservation project that I know of in Massachusetts ," says Dus , reflecting on the scale and impact of the initiative . “ I wanted to be involved from the moment that we heard about the opportunity .”
His vision for the Greylock Glen campsite project includes a variety of lodging accommodations , such as A-frame cabins , fixed Airstream trailers , and open campsites , designed with sustainability in mind . These facilities will cater to a flexible range of group sizes , providing comfortable accommodation for all visitors . Dus describes the aesthetic of the camper park as “ rustic modern minimalist .” He adds that the construction will prioritize sustainable practices , such as the use of Forest Stewardship Council-approved materials , the use of reclaimed wooden beams from decommissioned buildings in the cabins , and the integration of renewable energy systems . " Every building will have solar panels on the roof , and we expect that this camper park will be a carbon-negative facility ," notes Dus .
While construction partners are yet to be finalized , Shared Estates is considering Adams-based companies like B & B Micro Manufacturing and Souliere & Zepka Construction . “ We want to make sure the project contributes positively to the local economy on every level ,” he says . Dus also intends to celebrate the art and culture of the Berkshires by featuring a naturethemed outdoor sculpture garden with art commissioned from Berkshire-based artists in the camper park .
The town of Adams has signed off on the lease execution for the camper park , with the development agreement in the near future . Dus aims to complete crowdfunded financing by the end of this year , then finalize permits and commence construction in mid-2025 , with the aim of being operational by spring 2026 . Approximately $ 15 million will be invested into the project , shares Dus . Greylock Glen Resort will play a prominent and unique role in the ongoing evolution of the outdoor tourism economy in the Berkshires , says Dus . “ It ’ s going to create jobs , contribute to tax revenues , bring newfound vitality to the economy of Adams and other local towns , and connect visitors to their surrounding environment in the Berkshires like never before .” n
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