CCF accepts CR on Stalker land; Benfield CR recorded

In November, George Stalker of Concord Street granted CCF a conservation restriction on over 5.6 acres of land off Bingham Road. The Stalker gift includes public trail easements that will link to trails in the Town-owned conservation lands in the adjacent Greystone Crossing development off Cross Street. The Bingham Road entrance to the trails is just up the road from the entrance to the Towle Field trail.  This “keystone” gift will enable Carlisle nature lovers to hike from Route 225/Bedford Road, through Towle, across the Stalker land, and then through the Greystone Crossing trails nearly to South Street. The CR also provides permanent protection to a certified vernal pool, home to wood frogs and predaceous diving beetles. On behalf of the entire town, CCF offers thanks to Mr. Stalker and his wife, Jean Keskulla, long-time supporters of CCF, for this most generous gift.

On October 26, another milestone was passed in the preservation of the Benfield lands south of South Street when Conservation Restriction #57 was recorded on a 25.68-acre portion of Town-owned land. The Restriction, which will be held by CCF, includes the interior field running down to the Spencer Brook water meadow and preserves the land in permanent open space while allowing public access for passive recreation. In addition to this latest gift, CCF holds Restric­tions on 72.41 acres of land and owns outright 61.18 acres of conservation land generously given over the years by Ben Benfield, CCF co-founder and a long-time conservationist.

The treasures of the Stalker land include this 200-year old hemlock and the wood frog, denizen of the site’s certified vernal pool.