Dudley, MA —On a beautiful, sunny autumn morning, the Dudley Conservation Land Trust (DCLT) hosted a community celebration to honor the 100-year history of Antos Farm and celebrate its permanent protection as a new 23-acre wildlife sanctuary on Marsh Road. The event kicked off with a guided trail walk that drew at least 40 hikers, followed by a main ceremony attended by nearly 70 community members ranging in age from 3 to 98 years old. The century-old property has been permanently secured under DCLT’s care following a complex legal journey and an intense grassroots community response, saving the land from development.
“First, we honor the incredible 100-year history of Antos Farm, founded right here in 1926. Second, we celebrate its permanent protection as a new sanctuary under DCLT’s care.”
-Heather Radcliffe, DCLT Vice President
“We are gathered this morning to celebrate a monumental double milestone,” said Heather Radcliffe, Vice President of DCLT. “First, we honor the incredible 100-year history of Antos Farm, founded right here in 1926. Second, we celebrate its permanent protection as a new sanctuary under DCLT’s care. Having you all here makes this hard-fought victory complete.” Heather also emphasized that DCLT is an independent, 501(c)(3) all-volunteer nonprofit organization rather than a branch of local government, noting that every acre managed and trail cleared is driven entirely by grassroots citizens donating their time.
The event celebrated the deep human history rooted in the property, warmly welcoming 98-year-old Stella (Antos) Roukat, who represents the event’s senior attendee and was born right on the farm to founders John and Josephine Antos. Over 30 descendants of the Antos family traveled to the event, with Larry Antos delivering personal remarks on behalf of the family. Larry was explicitly thanked by the trust for his unwavering partnership in championing DCLT as the property’s rightful new stewards. Securing the deed back from a developer required a profound financial commitment from DCLT, which was only possible because of the enduring power of legacy gifts left by the late Chet Kulisa and the late Nancy Vajcovec.
Beyond historical preservation, the 23 acres establish a critical link in a growing regional wildlife corridor connecting the towns of Dudley and Oxford. “Antos Farm is a vital, living piece of a growing regional wildlife corridor linking Dudley and Oxford,” explained Liza Moran, President of DCLT. “Think of it as a permanent green highway for nature. This corridor fixes habitat fragmentation by creating a continuous, unbroken path of protected, wild land.” The corridor protects local biodiversity—allowing animals like bobcats and native birds to safely migrate. The project connects directly with existing DCLT holdings and neighboring Mass Audubon lands.
State leaders also praised the milestone. State Senator Ryan Fattman mailed an official legislative citation to honor the sanctuary, and State Representative John Marsi presented a second citation in person, speaking on the importance of preserving the community’s unique character. Following the event, Liza and Heather issued a special thank you to the entire DCLT Board of Directors for their relentless behind-the-scenes hard work that made both the conservation project and celebration successful. Liza reminded attendees that securing the deed is just the beginning, stating, “Today, the true work begins. And we now carry the solemn, joyful responsibility to steward this land forever.”
“Today, the true work begins. And we now carry the solemn, joyful responsibility to steward this land forever.”
-Liza Moran, DCLT President
Liza formally introduced the official day-to-day guardians of the sanctuary: David Radcliffe and his son, Charlie, who will serve as the property’s stewards. She also recognized a young volunteer, Fiona, applauding her contributions to DCLT’s digital outreach, brand-new website construction, photography and video assets, and webpage design.
The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the main property sign, where Liza, Heather, Stella, Larry, members of the Antos family, and Representative Marsi gathered for a group photograph. Following the formal presentation, attendees were invited to continue celebrating local heritage at the annual Apple Fest. “Today we are incredibly rich in land, rich in community, and rich in shared purpose,” Liza concluded. “Antos Farm is now safe, wild, and free for the next 100 years and beyond.”