Annual Meeting at Clark Farm

Dot Clark in her doorway

Dot Clark graciously hosted this year’s joint Annual Meeting of the Carlisle Conservation Foundation and Carlisle Land Trust. Many people took the opportunity to walk the newly established Clark Farm Trail that runs between Lowell Road and School Street along the edges of the farm’s former pastureland which is now protected under a permanent CR. CCF members and guests then gathered in the Clark’s wonderful barn which remains much as it was when built in 1898. Art Milliken introduced Dot Clark who spoke of life in Carlisle before telephones, paved roads and indoor plumbing and of her husband Guy’s meticulous way of farming as he juggled the demands of managing 70 head of cattle (including 30-40 milkers) with raising acres of corn and feed, all the while advancing the cause of conservation in Carlisle.

After CCF and CLT Directors conducted routine matters of business and reported on the past year’s activities, Tim Eliassen rose to thank Art Milliken for his terrific leadership during his 6 year tenure as President. Tim noted that Art oversaw the most active period of CCF’s history and led efforts to permanently protect substantial acreage of open space (including Wang Coombs, O’Rourke, Benfield, Poole Swamp, and Malcolm Preserve properties) and increased focus on the need for ongoing land management, most notably through the sheep project. The group gave Art a standing ovation. Sally Swift is taking over as President from Art—who will remain an active Board member. The meeting was then treated to the wonderful wildlife pictures of Ron McAdow, Executive Director of Sudbury Valley Trustees, who has caught rare images of local nocturnal creatures, including bobcats, on lens through a technique known as photo-trapping.

Steve Spang