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DCLT Awarded Major Grant for Land Acquisition
October 30, 2025
Earlier this week, the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) announced its decision to award $271,500 to the Dudley Conservation Land Trust (DCLT) for acquisition of the rural and scenic Tierney land, a critical component of Dudley’s northeast wildlife corridor. In the October 27th EEA press release, Governor Maura Healey remarked on the $12 million in grants for projects across Massachusetts stating: “Protecting open spaces is about investing in the health, safety, and wellbeing of our communities. These projects support local economies, improve public health, and make our neighborhoods better places to live. This funding helps ensure that every resident has access to the benefits of nature.” DCLT is grateful to the Commonwealth for this award, which validates the conservation importance of the property.
To date, DCLT has received critical support from the Cecelia J. Smolenski-Millette Charitable Trust, the Fields Pond Foundation, and various quiet personal donations from community members. With these contributions, DCLT has raised over half of the funds needed for the purchase of 21 acres of pristine woodland and fields straddling Dudley, Oxford, and Charlton from the Tierney family. This property marks the northern-most boundary of the extensive wildlife corridor that DCLT is working to protect, along with the newly acquired Antos Farm on Marsh Road and the existing sanctuaries of Slater Woods, Pierpont Meadow, and Oxford Woodlands. The Tierney property includes an old farm field, a 19th century cemetery, and a tri-town marker at the northern end of a 1.5-mile-long farm landscape that lies within BioMap Critical Natural Landscape and abuts National Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) designated Forest Core.
DCLT extends a huge thank you to all those who have generously contributed to this acquisition project. “We are honored to have so much support from our state and local partners on this land acquisition project,” said DCLT President Liza Moran. “The Tierney property and the abutting conservation properties are truly special places that provide a strong sense of place in our scenic and rural natural community. We are reaching out to others--to you--to help us meet our goal and purchase this property to conserve it for current and future generations.”
To complete this land purchase, DCLT continues to pursue additional grant opportunities and community support. Tax-deductible donations may be made by check payable to “Dudley Conservation Land Trust” and mailed to DCLT, PO Box 14, Dudley, MA 01571. Every donation, big or small, helps. If you have any questions, or want to discuss ways to help, please contact us at dcltrust@aol.com.
Dudley Conservation land trust Launches Campaign
TO CONSERVE 21 ACRES in Dudley, Oxford and Charlton
The Dudley Conservation Land Trust (DCLT) is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with the Tierney family to acquire and conserve 21 acres of desirable land that straddles the Dudley, Oxford and Charlton town lines. The property is enhanced with a 3 acre field; a vernal pool and beautiful mixed hardwood and softwood forest. There is also a tri-town property boundary marker on the southwest portion of the property that provides a unique landmark worth seeking out by future visitors.
The Tierney lands – the last remaining unprotected lands that belonged to local conservationist and DCLT founder Chet Kulisa – are located on the northern end of a
1.5 mile long farm landscape that stretches all the way down to the junction of Marsh Road and Dudley-Oxford Road in Dudley. In fact, Marsh Road has been designated as a scenic road by the Town of Dudley which reflects the beauty of the area with its stone walls, meadows and farm fields. To date, Mass Audubon and the Kulisa family have conserved over 200 acres along this road, with a further 100 acres of additional conservation land to be protected possible.
Tim Tierney had the following to say about their lands: “Our family is very pleased that the Dudley Conservation Land Trust is committed to acquiring this property. This reflects the values of stewardship, heritage and commitment to conservation that our parents, Chet and Ann Kulisa lived by. Together with the adjacent acreage they donated to be in perpetual protection, this land which has served our family for generations will remain a sanctuary for fauna and flora and a place for peace for all who come after us.”
Recognizing the inherent value of these 21 acres, the DCLT has signed an option to purchase the property from the Tierney family for $540,000. The price determined by an appraisal reflects the almost 1,000 ft. of road frontage which would allow a minimum of six houses to be built on the property. Such development would spoil the natural state of this northern end of the scenic road; it would interrupt the wildlife habitat and corridor connecting other conserved lands in the area; and it would diminish the potential for future generations to access nature in the area.
The good news is that the DCLT has until March 19, 2026 to raise the necessary funds to acquire this property. We intend to raise the money via a combination of grants and fundraising from the community. We are working with local partners in these efforts and invite members of the community and local businesses to support us. We all benefit from conserved lands.
If you are interested in making a donation, please mail a check payable to the Dudley Conservation Land Trust, PO Box 14, Dudley, MA 01571. Or click on DONATE button on Home Page.
Thank you!
dclt pLANTING TREES
Paul Wieloch and Liza Moran of the Dudley Conservation Land Trust reported to the Board of Selectmen Monday that the trust has completed its project to plant 19 native trees around town.
The project, funded by a Janet Malser Humanities Trust grant, was part of the trust members’ commitment to improving the town’s public spaces.
Red maple trees were planted by the town highway garage, on Pine Street by the basketball court and at Zmetra Memorial Square.
Mr. Wielock thanked retired Assistant Town Administrator Michelle Jervis, and the town highway department for helping with the project.
The DCLT is a community-oriented conservation organization with wildlife sanctuaries totaling more than 450 acres.
