It was a beautiful spring evening to hang out at Rolling Meadows in Boxborough. Temps were perfect for Woodcock Watching! Al Sgroi, Acton Conservation Trust member and local birder, shared pictures and lots of other information to guide us through the courtship ritual of the American Woodcock. Participants were very engaged and asked great questions! Right on … Read more
Our Annual Meeting was lively and very well attended. Tom Tidman stopped by to accept the Carol Holley Conservation Award. President Susan Mitchell-Hardt gave opening comments, presented the award to Tom (who got a standing ovation), and ran the brief business meeting, which re-elected all incumbent officers and board members. Hart Millett gave our financial … Read more
Love the outdoors, but worry about ticks? This talk focused on learning more about ticks, how they operate and affect us and what we can do to protect ourselves from the diseases they spread. We had two terrific, knowledgeable speakers: Susan Rask and Michele Grzenda. Tricia McGean was also scheduled to talk, but had to … Read more
What a difference a day makes! Our annual tracking walk with Paul Wanta was originally planned for a day when a polar vortex would hold temperatures to a high of 13º. To avoid frostbite, we rescheduled to the next day, and afternoon temps hit 47º! Snow in Acton has been scarce this year, so the … Read more
On January 8, 2023, we partnered with Acton Water District and the Conant Family for two cold but sunny tours of 549 Main Street. Approximately 60 people joined the tours, and heard of the historical significance of the land, as well as the Water District’s efforts to place wells on the property as additional sources … Read more
To show appreciation for our wonderful members, we partnered with Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston for an Evening of Astronomy. The night was a big success, although initial cloud cover suggested otherwise. Luckily, we were able to see some celestial objects through “sucker holes” before the clouds thinned and then completely cleared out at 6:30! … Read more
Our Fall Community Service Day was held on October 23, 2022 at Spring Hill Conservation Land. 28 people volunteered, including 20 students from ABRHS fulfilling service hours for National Honor Society and AP Environmental Science. The yellow loop trail at Spring Hill had a perennially wet section which we re-routed to follow an old cart … Read more
Jonathan Kranz, a member of Boston Mycological Club, led our walk through Great Hill, including newly protected land at 4 Piper Lane. Jonathan has been foraging for several seasons, and just started leading walks in the past year, teaching people how to observe and learn about fascinating funghi. Jonathan was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Instead … Read more
If you missed the presentation “Garden as if the Earth Matters” by Anna Fialkoff, of the Wild Seed Project, and co-sponsored by EnergizeActon, Acton Conservation Trust, and the Garden Club of Acton, here are a few photos to enjoy. Acton TV has posted the event on YouTube. See the recording HERE. Thank you so much to … Read more
We had a nice group who joined us for Sunday’s Nature Walk at Grassy Pond West! The walk of this beautiful and biodiverse land just off Newtown Road was led by Boot Boutwell, a freelance itinerant naturalist who teaches and leads nature walks for Mass. Audubon and the New England Wild Flower Society among others. … Read more