Farming has been an institution in Concord and Carlisle for centuries. As early as 1775, Concord was a busy hub of trade partly because of its access to Boston but also given the topography of land and climate agreeable to farming. This tradition continues today, with approximately 812 acres of working farmland between the two towns. Community supported agriculture (CSA) is an integral part of these farms, ensuring the farmers a sustainable source of funding and providing residents with fresh, healthy produce spring through fall. In a CSA, residents purchase a ‘subscription’ for produce or other farm products that can then be picked up as they are harvested. CSAs are very popular in the Concord area and tend to sell out quickly.
Each year, Concord is transformed as the bright, busy days of summer give way to fall and Concord snuggles in. The deciduous leaves lose their summer green and reveal their rich reds, yellows, golds, and browns before dropping to the ground. For us, this transition provides visual delight.
Do you think about going south for the winter? So do many birds.
As the days get shorter and cooler, many of Concord’s resident birds get restless and think about wintering elsewhere. These birds migrate primarily because of food and not to avoid our cold winters. Many of the birds that migrate depend mostly on berries, seeds, and insects for their daily meals, but the insects crawl into the ground, dig under leaves, or drill under tree bark and sleep through the cold winter months. The migratory birds are not as well equipped as a woodpecker to hammer a hole in a tree to gather sleeping insects.
Concord is well known for its rich history and stunning natural beauty. Residents and visitors alike deeply appreciate having
access to national parks which showcase these features. During
the COVID-19 pandemic, the parks are working hard to make visitors feel welcome – while doing all they can to help stop the spread of the virus. Here, we present some updates from two of
our most popular destinations.
Summer has always been a wonderful time to explore the many trails, parks, historic sites, and other natural wonders of Concord. During these stressful times, it’s more important than ever to take time to enjoy nature - to get outside and feel the sun and the breezes, to marvel at the plants and animals with which we share this world, and to find our best selves again. I’ve spent many years walking these trails and photographing the plants and animals found there. Over the years I’ve found a number of places that have become favorites. Here are a few I recommend to locals and visitors alike:
Spring is finally here! One of Concord’s true treasures is its plethora of parks, trails, and nature preserves. Our friend Dave Witherbee has put together a collection of some of his favorite Spring images to inspire you to get outside and explore!
“I went into the woods because I wished to live deliberately…” Henry David Thoreau’s words echo my own sentiments while making a conscious choice to move back to Concord years ago to raise my children. As a child living in Concord, I spent hours playing, imagining, and creating in the woods. As an adult, I continue to seek the solace, reflection, and wisdom of nature – both on the sunniest days and on the cold, grey ones. Concord’s open space, comprised of public and private lands, is one of our most treasured gems. Our town and its residents have chosen over the years to preserve a healthy dose of nature.
