Clare’s earliest memory of nature is gardening with her grandmother. As a child, the garden seemed so roomy, with magical spots all around. In reality, it was a 10x5 rectangle with a central path down the middle. Regardless, it awakened her to another world that captivated her imagination and opened a door to the wonders of nature. Fast forward many years and her imagination is still captured by what’s outside her door.

As a young adult, she took a position at a preschool and saw quickly that working with young children filled her with joy and purpose, but the light bulb REALLY came on when she began homeschooling her children and rediscovered her love of learning. Living in New England at the time, days were spent rambling around historical and literary haunts that brought to life what was being read and studied.  A seed was planted in her heart for teaching WITH nature early on as she spent hours outside with her boys, nature journaling and observing what was under their feet and at their fingertips. With her training in music and movement with young children and her budding curiosity with the outdoors, she started music and nature programs for preschools. These classes caused her to delve into natural history, and she discovered how powerful the marriage between nature and a child’s imagination can be in awakening empathy, cultivating wonder and dispelling fear. 

Widowed in 2010, she bought a derelict farm and began the process of creating inspiring spaces for children to learn and play. With the help of her friends and family, Ferntop became a reality in 2014. 

In 2023, Clare remarried a passionate educator. While on their honeymoon they were inspired by the roots of a large tree and began brainstorming a class that would combine Latin word roots and their connections to the natural world. Collaborating with her husband, George, is a BIG JOY in her life.

Clare is educated in child development and early childhood education. She is a children’s naturalist and has been mentored by some of the world’s leading outdoor educators. She has over 25 years of teaching experience and is looking forward to many more!