What Is Rauscher Farm? Clinton’s town-owned Rauscher Farm, 62 acres of protected open space, is a natural gem in a small, densely populated town in Central Massachusetts. Not least of Rauscher Farm’s attraction is its variety of habitats within a relatively confined area.
Open daily dawn until dusk, in their own time visitors may enjoy Nature’s wonders of woodland, grassland, and pond life. For the latter, Rauscher Farm provides access to Clamshell Pond, designated a Great Pond by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (For more about the property, see www.rauscherfarm.org)
Town Purchase The Town of Clinton purchased Rauscher Farm in 2008 after a broad-based grassroots campaign culminated in the community passing a Proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion that provided for the purchase of the property from the private landowner.
Maintenance and Conservation Efforts Maintenance, conservation efforts, programs, and activities on Rauscher Farm—executed predominately by volunteers—are orchestrated by the town’s Rauscher Farm Management Subcommittee (RFMSC) that answers to the Clinton Conservation Commission.
Routine maintenance enables visitor activities such as:
- Exploring a network of trails
- Bird and nature watching
- Fishing or boating on Clamshell Pond
- Photographing plant life and critters
The RFMSC also oversees conservation efforts aimed at restoring the property’s varied habitats. The goal of such efforts is to increase the diversity of habitats and their residents. Extensive habitat enhancement programs currently underway include:
- Improving woodland diversity
- Controlling invasive species
- Protecting open grassland for ground nesting birds and other species
- Monitoring water quality in Clamshell Pond
- Installing bat boxes
- Addressing population decline of some species, such as butterflies and certain native bumblebees
All conservation efforts are guided by advice and commissioned reports from recognized conservation experts.
Programs and Activities After a temporary postponement of free public programs in 2020, the RFMSC is resuming programming in 2021. These public programs, details of which are promoted extensively, are designed for a range of interests and ages. Past programs have included:
- Springtime on Rauscher Farm
- Winter Wonderland on Rauscher Farm
- Bees ‘n Butterflies
- Let’s Build a Fairy House!
- Family Fun on Rauscher Farm
- Get the Buzz on Wild Pollinators
- Name that Mushroom!
- How Trees Talk
- Nature Adventures on Rauscher Farm (student programs)
- Sunset Strolls on Rauscher Farm
Additional “in your own time” activities are geocaching, letterboxing, and Rauscher Farm’s annual StoryWalk® for young readers.
Path to Clamshell Pond In an effort to expand accessibility to all, a path to Clamshell Pond is a compliant walkway to accommodate visitors with limited mobility. The walkway is designed to run from a new parking area beside the barn to an observation area that allows for a view of popular Clamshell Pond. The design includes designated handicap parking spaces.
Rauscher Farm relies on volunteer help. Should you be willing to pitch in your time and “sweat equity,” contact info@rauscherfarm.org .
Clinton Greenway Conservation Trust supports the maintenance and conservation efforts of the Rauscher Farm Management Subcommittee via a dedicated Rauscher Farm Fund within the Clinton Greenway Conservation Trust. The Clinton Greenway Conservation Trust also sponsors grant applications for program presenters and other Rauscher Farm needs, as well as volunteering at and participating in events.