Dudley, MA – The Dudley Conservation Land Trust (DCLT) today announced its vibrant lineup of upcoming autumn events designed to connect community members with local protected open spaces. Highlights include an educational mushroom forage, the highly anticipated celebration of the newly acquired Antos Farm sanctuary, and the Annual Member Meeting. In tandem with these gatherings, the all-volunteer organization is extending a popular promotional drive to help fund ongoing conservation efforts.
The autumn programming kicks off with a Mushroom Foraging expedition at Wieloch Woods, located at 380 West Main Street in Dudley, on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Led by expert mycologist Jonathan Kranz, this walk covers the basics of mushroom ecology, habitat, and safe identification. While the event is entirely free to the public, space is limited and interested participants should register ahead of time on the DCLT Events Calendar.
The schedule continues on Sunday, September 27, 2026, with the Annual Member Meeting at the historic Black Tavern, located at 138 Center Road in Dudley, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. This meeting serves as a core event where active members will cast votes for the incoming Board of Directors, review accomplishments, and discuss future goals. Attendees will also enjoy dinner from The Rose Room, featuring carefully curated, locally sourced ingredients. Interested individuals can sign up for a yearly membership to gain voting eligibility and support local conservation efforts by visiting the DCLT Membership Page.
Public celebrations resume on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Antos Farm (90 Marsh Road, Dudley). The morning kicks off with a pre-celebration mini hike from 8:00 am to 8:45 am, giving community members of all ages and hiking experience levels a chance to explore. The main Antos Farm event will follow immediately from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, celebrating the important acquisition and commemorating the landmark 100th anniversary of the farm’s founding in 1926. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to meet descendants of the founding family and learn about the wildlife corridor being developed through Dudley and Oxford. The celebration ends at 10:00 am, allowing attendees to head to the Grange (139 Center Road, Dudley) for the annual Apple Festival.
To support its ongoing land preservation goals, DCLT is extending a promotion offering free merchandise for new recurring monthly pledges. Anyone who commits to a monthly recurring gift of $15 or more before the start of the annual meeting on September 27 will receive a free DCLT hat or t-shirt. Enrolled supporters can pick up their merchandise during the Annual Member Meeting or at the Dudley Grange Apple Festival. To sign up, select the “Monthly” option on the secure DCLT Donation Page.
Further details, event RSVPs, and background information available through DCLT’s new website: https://dudleyclt.org.