LSC Charter Revision Meeting to be held on March 19, 2026

LSC Charter Revision Draft

Process Letter

Carlisle’s Land Stewardship Committee Charter

As approved by roll call votes of the Land Stewardship Committee on 11/19/2024 and the Carlisle Conservation Commission on 12/12/2024

Implemented on December 12, 2024

The Carlisle Conservation Commission (CCC) established the Land Stewardship Committee (LSC) in 2005 as a subcommittee to assist the Commission in managing Town-owned conservation land.

The overarching goal of the LSC is to manage Town-owned conservation land to protect, maintain and enhance the natural and cultural resources being preserved on these parcels, including wildlife habitat, water and forest resources, scenic vistas, as well as historic structures and their related cultural values.   Two guiding principles are: to (1) organize and coordinate land maintenance and management activities to balance a number of potentially competing interests, and (2) foster communication with Town committees and other organizations with related interests.  LSC will request Town funding for routine maintenance and special projects.  In addition, in cooperation with the CCC, LSC will research, identify, and seek or apply for alternative funding mechanisms for needed maintenance or desired improvements to conservation lands.  LSC will communicate frequently with the Conservation Commission. 

As stewards of conservation land, the LSC also seeks to foster a strong commitment among the Town’s residents to protect Carlisle’s conservation lands for the unique recreational and educational opportunities that only open protected land can provide.

The LSC shall be structured as follows:

• A membership of 10-12 regular voting members
• 1 Chair or 2 Co-Chairs and a Secretary as elected by a majority of LSC voting members annually during the June regular meeting of the LSC
• 5-7 Associate Members who will be non-voting members
• An unlimited number of non-voting Friends of the LSC members are not required to attend LSC meetings, but will be expected to perform specific tasks related to the conservation lands

The LSC is responsible for several Core Tasks, as voted by LSC and CCC, including the following:

• Review all Rules & Regulations related to conservation lands to bring them up to date, suggest and draft new Rules & Regulations when needed, and work with CCC to ensure notice is readily available to anyone interested in activities on said lands.
• Manage Agricultural Licenses, specifically to review the appropriate use of each conservation parcel based upon a full assessment of the habitat value and agricultural value, to monitor activities, procedures, and chemical use related to active licenses, and assist the Community Garden Manager regarding Community Garden requirements as needed.
• Issue Land Use Permits subject to the most updated Regulations. 
• Maintain and update kiosk structures and signage, including educational materials and the creation and maintenance of signage to provide conservation land visitors with useful information.
• Prepare baseline assessments for each Town-owned conservation parcel.
• LSC will pursue working with all entities in the Town of Carlisle on any land management interests.
• Manage administrative tasks, including website updates, advertising for new members, and potentially participating in mapping projects associated with land management.
• Establish and maintain, at Town Hall, active files on each parcel with the help of the CCC Assistant.
• Prepare an annual report that provides information on the nature and extent of LSC’s monitoring of Town-owned conservation lands, and also provides recommendations for future maintenance or improvement actions.
• Develop Annual and 5-Year Budget Plans and seek out additional funding mechanisms for implementing LSC projects, which may involve both public and private funding sources. 
• Pursue special projects, e.g., relating to environmental education, preservation and restoration of conservation land, inventories of invasive plants and of flora and fauna, removal of invasive plants, and certification of vernal pools.

For more details on the goals, objectives, and specific activities of the LSC, see Establishment of a Land Stewardship Program in Carlisle (PDF).

Upcoming Meetings

Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month.

• 1/13/26
• 2/10/26
• 3/10/6
• 4/14/26
• 5/12/26