Environmental Stewardship at Conestee Nature Preserve

There’s a moment at Conestee Nature Preserve when the noise of the city just… fades. Maybe it’s when you’re standing on the boardwalk by West Bay, watching a great blue heron glide across the wetland, or when you crouch down to listen—really listen—to the frogs tuning up their nightly chorus. It sneaks up on you: the realization that nature is not some faraway thing. It’s right here. And it needs care.

My name is Haoyang Liang and I’m a rising junior majoring in Sustainability and French. This summer, as an Environmental Steward Fellow, I’ve found myself tangled (sometimes literally) in the messy, rewarding, often surprising work of preserving this urban wild space. I’ve spent my days clearing overgrown trails with loppers and a hedge trimmer in hand, digging out the invasive poison ivy, and rebuilding washed-out steps with lumber and a lot of sweat. Alltrails thinks I’m hiking. Really, I’m just working.

Some days are quiet and methodical—like trimming back kudzu under a rising sun, one careful cut at a time. Others are unexpectedly emotional, like the morning after a storm we found a trio of baby raccoons had fallen off a downed tree (they were soon cozied up in a shoebox and some towels until the animal rescue arrived). I’ve learned how to use tools I’d never touched before, like handsaws and gas trimmers, and developed a deep appreciation for water breaks, sunscreen, and teamwork.

I also had the chance to step into the educational side of Conestee, helping with the Water Strider summer camp program. Working with the education team gave me a whole new perspective on how nature is introduced to younger generations. I assisted with guiding nature walks, prepping hands-on activities, and herding a group of energetic, bug-obsessed kids through the forest. Watching campers get excited about dragonfly nymphs or trying a spot a fluttering woodpecker reminded me why environmental education matters so much—it creates the next generation of caretakers.

But my role hasn’t only been on the ground. I’ve also helped with Conestee’s outreach and communications—filming Instagram reels, sitting at tabling events, and chatting with curious hikers about what we do. There’s something special about seeing a child light up when they spot a box turtle basking or a butterfly landing on milkweed. Being part of a space that inspires that kind of wonder feels like a privilege.

Conestee Nature Preserve isn’t just a pretty place—it’s a living, breathing reminder of what urban conservation can look like. Once a toxic mill pond, it’s now a state designated wildlife sanctuary, home to more than 200 bird species and countless quiet stories unfolding beneath the canopy. You can learn more about the preserve and support its mission at www.conesteepreserve.org or on Instagram @conesteepreserve.

If you’re in Greenville, come take a walk. Or better yet—grab some gloves, come volunteer, and get your hands in the dirt. You might be surprised by what you find: a lost otter, a rare warbler, or maybe even a new sense of purpose.