An
Evening for Estabrook Woods
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Light-dappled
trail in Estabrook Woods |
On
a recent snowy November evening many board members and friends of
CCF attended a “Celebration of the Estabrook Woods.”
The event was hosted by the Nielsen-Bakers in their barn which overlooks
one of the key entrances to the 1200 acre Estabrook Woods.
The celebration—the brainchild of Estabrook Council founder
and Carlisle resident Nick d’Arbeloff—was sponsored
by a number of individuals and organizations, including the Carlisle
Conservation Foundation. The event was organized so that the many
abutters and other supporters of the Estabrook Woods could become
better acquainted, learn more about the history of the Woods and
become more proactive in working together to protect them.
Concord conservationist Marian Thornton introduced noted author
John Hanson Mitchell who read a passage from his soon to be published
book, “Looking for Mr. Gilbert”, that offered some background
about how Thoreau, Emerson and other prominent figures frequented
the Estabrook Woods over a century ago.
Nick
d’Arbeloff provided a more recent history of the Woods and
noted CCF’s important role in helping to secure the Woods
through the Estabrook Woods Campaign in the early 1990’s.
He also pointed out how CCF had helped to place important conservation
restrictions on some key abutting parcels recently, including Malcolm
Meadows and the Poole Swamp.
On
a less upbeat note, Nick commented on how the recent decision of
Middlesex School to build athletic fields and tennis courts in the
Woods will have an irreversible impact. With this recent development
in mind, Nick encouraged attendees to work together to prevent future
incursions and to try to protect remaining valuable parcels.
Despite
the brisk, wintry conditions, attendees were aglow in crediting
this celebration as having been successful in raising awareness
about the history, importance and fragility of the Woods and in
introducing abutters and supporters of Estabrook to one another.
CCF will continue to do all that it can to ensure that future generations
will continue to enjoy the unique treasure called Estabrook Woods.
Jay
Luby
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