Pfeiffer Nature Center volunteer enthusiastic


By DAWN KARL, The Times Herald April 15, 2002


Angela Broughton has only worked for the Pfeiffer Nature Center since last November, but her enthusiasm for the center is obvious when you talk to her.
She is a part-time employee at the center and currently works in the office and coordinates the center’s newsletter. She moved back to the area after living in Colorado where she worked as a naturalist docent, which is a trained volunteer and teacher, for El Paso County Parks. In Colorado, she was responsible for working at the reception desk and conducting public programs. As a naturalist docent, she grew to love nature.
She said she loves to be in the woods and loves to hike. She has climbed seven mountains. Throughout her experiences with nature in other areas, she said she has always remembered her roots and how beautiful it is in Western New York.
Mrs. Broughton is originally from the Olean area and lived away from the area for about 17 years. After a death in the family in April 2001, she and her husband, Dr. Barry Broughton, decided to move back to the area. She and her husband currently live in Weston’s Mills with their 14-year-old son, Ian.
Mrs. Broughton has volunteered at the Pfeiffer Nature Center for three years. She became a volunteer before she moved back to the Olean area. During the summer of 1999, she heard there was a nature center. She visited the center and was excited about the center. When she came back to visit family and friends, she became a volunteer.
“When I knew we had to leave (Colorado), knowing the center was here made the transition easier,” she said.
Darlene Goetzman, the interim director of the Pfeiffer Nature Center, said she was not with the center when Mrs. Broughton was hired. But Ms. Goetzman believes Mrs. Broughton was hired because of her experience and because she had been a member of the center for three years.
“She’s been energetic, creative, willing to do anything that needs to be done and is an all-around pleasure to work with,” said Ms. Goetzman. “There are a wide range of people who we work with and she has been able to work with everyone warmly and effectively.”
Which nature center does Mrs. Broughton like better? She said she loves them both. There are differences in the habitat here and in Colorado, but each has equal special features. The nature here has just as much as a drawing card, she said.
“They all have beauty and the opportunity to come and experience nature,” she said.
She added the Pfeiffer Nature Center is such a special place because it gives people the opportunity to be in the woods and hike on trails. She believes the nature center is an asset to the community because not everyone has large property on which to enjoy the outdoors.
“To me, nature choreographs her own experience. You never know what you’re going to find,” Mrs. Broughton said. “Nature dictates what you’ll do.”
The center has been closed for the winter but will begin public programs in this month. The trails are always open.
“The Pfeiffer Nature Center is such a treasure for this community,” she said.
The center is supported by memberships and donations. She said the center can’t do anything without finances. She added she would like to see the community rally behind the center so it can continue and thrive. The park she worked at in Colorado was publicly funded so there wasn’t a financial issue with the programming at the park.
Judy Patton, a member of the center’s board of directors, said Mrs. Broughton brings to the Pfeiffer Nature Center her experience of how nature centers operate and how volunteers can contribute to nature centers.
“Her warm personality and her energy and enthusiasm are just what we need. She’s bright, organized and not afraid to tackle new projects,” Ms. Patton said. “Angela is going to be able to contribute in so many different areas — in the office and outside on nature walks.”


©The Times Herald, Olean, N.Y. 2002