As the owner of 144 acres in Carlisle (and another 8 acres in Billerica), CCF is one of the town’s biggest landholders. That role brings with it many responsibilities. “Conserving” the land often means much more than just protecting it from development, and each CCF property warrants its own specific land management plan on land management issues.

Spencer Brook Reservation

Spencer Brook Reservation is CCF’s oldest and largest property, covering 31.5 acres near the intersection of South and West Streets. Its varied terrain includes open fields, mature forest and swamp. Maintaining the diversity of this property has been a challenge because invasive foreign plant species such as buckthorn and bittersweet encroach on the open space, requiring mowing and hand clearing. Recognizing the importance and complexity of managing Spencer Brook, CCF commissioned a management plan and botanical inventory of the property in 2001. This report was prepared by Frances Clark of Carex Associates in Lincoln. It reviews the key role of Spencer Brook as a biological “stepping stone” between Estabrook Woods and protected land in Carlisle and Acton, and documents the geology, hydrology and land-use history of the parcel. A wide range of animals (including otter and mink) and unusual plants such as bush cinquefoil are documented at Spencer Brook

The management plan recommends developing a trail through the Spencer Brook property to encourage passive recreational public use. Ideally, the trail would incorporate clear signage and a boardwalk crossing over wet terrain. Planning and constructing this trail would be an ideal opportunity for volunteers to help CCF with its work.

Malcolm Preserve – A Neighborhood Resource

At the 10.6-acre Malcolm Preserve property off Stearns Street, the neighbors take an active role in looking after the property. Tasks such as selective brush clearing and signage maintenance are handled by several nearby families, with CCF’s approval, improving the property for the enjoyment of both the neighborhood and the town. CCF hopes to encourage this management model at its other properties scattered throughout the town.