The renovation began with the removal of the old Conservation Building in early June, leaving the original concrete floor intact to serve as the heritage foundation for the new replacement structure. Construction of the new building started immediately. The construction project with John Miller Amish Construction Company was completed by July 1, with both exterior and interior construction finished. The Schneider Services team, with Kurt Schneider, provided volunteer electrical installation labor for the new structure, which will be renamed to serve as the Chautauqua County Conservation Education Center. A small, portable pond behind the building will feature a live fish display during the fair. During a tour of the facility last week, I stood with Rosemary and Zen Olow under the bright white LED ceiling lights – the building is so clean. Leworthy said, “Only a small number of wall decorations and final trim remain for completion. A new, large fish tank observation area is planned in the coming years.”

Leworthy added, “The primary goal of this initiative is to promote youth conservation education across the region. The facility will provide a centralized space to host interactive workshops, nature-based educational programming, hands-on environmental science demonstrations, and training opportunities for young people interested in conservation, ecology, and sustainable living practices.”

Key features of the project include a modern, environmentally friendly building at the fairgrounds, designed to host programs that benefit youth and conservation groups, with a focus on outdoor recreational sports, fish and wildlife conservation, firearm safety, forestry, water conservation, agriculture, hunting, trapping, and sustainability. Anticipated programs include opportunities for local schools, 4-H groups, scouts, and families to engage with nature and science. The new structure will provide a space for community events and partnerships with local, regional, and state conservation leaders.

Chautauqua County Federation of Sportsmen President Zen Olow said, “We are proud and grateful to see this vision come to life, and we invite residents from across the county to join us in celebrating this investment in our community’s future. The building will be used for many of our monthly Federation meetings; they occur on the 4th Wednesday of every month.”

The new Chautauqua County Conservation and Education Center is handsome, featuring aluminum siding, roof, and interior ceiling, with brick fascia on a half-wall for the front of the building. The building is ready for the Chautauqua County Fair, which is set for July 15-20. Photo by Forrest Fisher

The new structure will feature a display of multiple game animal mounts from around the world, including exotic species like kudu, springbok, and impala, as well as North American species such as deer, elk, and bear. The eye-catching display will be accompanied by an explanation of why certain types of regulated hunting are fully supportive of wildlife conservation and anti-poaching efforts in North America and on every continent, particularly in countries such as Tanzania, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. This concept is largely unknown to many groups, especially in the United States. All regulated hunting is based on scientific assessments to ensure healthy populations, and anti-poaching patrols are implemented in countries where necessary.

“My father believed deeply in the power of education and the value of preserving our natural resources,” said Henry Leworthy. “This center is a way to honor his legacy and give back to a community that shaped our lives. I hope it inspires local youth to explore, learn, and care for the world around them.”

“This project is a win for our kids, our environment, and our community,” said Linda Lamphere, President of the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds Board of Directors. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Leworthy family for this gift, which will benefit generations of Chautauqua County residents.”

This year at the Chautauqua County Fair that will run for July 15-20, 2025, fairgoers will find representatives from the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, Bear Lake Rod and Gun, Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District, Chautauqua County Beekeepers Association, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the NY Forest Owners Association and many more groups.

Renny Leworthy was a union carpenter by trade, and his son, Henry, at 72 years young, is a dental technician in Jamestown. A new structure will serve as a lasting tribute to the Leworthy family and their dedication to education, conservation, and the environment. The new building is being donated to the Chautauqua County Fair.