Dudley, MA – Local volunteers braved high temperatures this past weekend at the first-ever stewardship day for Dudley Conservation Land Trust’s newest sanctuary, Antos Farm. A passionate team of 20 energetic volunteers gathered on Marsh Road, Dudley, to clear trails, dispose of legacy homestead items, and rescue the property’s farmhouse from overgrowth, kicking off preparations for the farm’s upcoming 100th anniversary celebration on October 3.
The productive workday resulted in a completely filled 15-yard dumpster of trash and debris removed from the property. Armed with hand tools and bolstered by some powerful equipment, the crew tackled prickers, invasive plants, and overgrown bushes that had swallowed the historic farmhouse.
“At DCLT, we believe that stewarding our land is a sacred duty and one of the most important parts of our mission. Restoring the area around the historic farmhouse and clearing existing trails is a wonderful way to celebrate our newest sanctuary, Antos Farm, as we approach its centennial milestone this October.”
-Liza Moran, DCLT President
“The energy today was incredible,” said Liza Moran, President of the Dudley Conservation Land Trust. “At DCLT, we believe that stewarding our land is a sacred duty and one of the most important parts of our mission. Restoring the area around the historic farmhouse and clearing existing trails is a wonderful way to celebrate our newest sanctuary, Antos Farm, as we approach its centennial milestone this October.”
The October event is not just a commemoration of 100 years but also a celebration of the land trust’s dedicated efforts in acquiring and conserving this hard-won property. Thanks to the team’s hard work, preexisting trails on the sanctuary are now significantly more accessible for future public use. Volunteers cleared low-hanging branches, removed tripping hazards, and mapped out key paths for future visitors.
“We had a massive amount of work to do today, but our stewardship volunteers jumped right in to tackle it,” said Vice President Heather Radcliffe, who organized the event and its extensive to-do list. “From the youngest participants, eager to help, to seasoned volunteers who shared their expertise, it was truly a collective effort.”
As the celebration approaches, the Dudley Conservation Land Trust is looking forward to showcasing the beauty and significance of Antos Farm in this local wildlife corridor, offering a space where people can connect with nature and appreciate the legacy of conservation.
This stewardship day marks the beginning of a long-term effort to restore the sanctuary’s natural habitats and historic features. The community is invited to visit the land trust’s website to RSVP for the October 3 celebration, which will kick off with a short, pre-celebration hike along the newly cleared trails.