Events of Interest April 27, 2023

Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,

The following news and events may be of interest:  

Happy Earth Day/Week! – Borrowed from the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust
Since the first Earth Day in 1970, this day has been a rallying call for continued environmental action. Climate change looms large, as does the ongoing importance of protecting our land, air, and water for the benefit of all. E.O. Wilson offered the Half-Earth proposal as a solution “commensurate with the magnitude of the problem: …only by setting aside half the planet in reserve, or more, can we save the living part of the environment and achieve the stabilization required for our own survival.” Land conservation, therefore, remains a critical part of humanity’s future.

Saturday, April 29
Acton CLEAN ENERGY HOMES TOUR
11am – 4pm
Ten Homes in Acton & Base Camp (19 Elm St/AB Farmers Market Location)
As Earth Day approaches, are you thinking about switching from oil heat to efficient cold-weather heat pumps that heat AND cool? Are you considering solar panels/batteries, especially with the increased federal solar incentives? Do you want to decrease your carbon footprint? On April 29th, come and talk with Acton neighbors who have already adopted clean energy technologies! Ten Acton homeowners will welcome you to learn about their equipment, including air source and ground source heat pumps, solar panels and solar battery storage, electric vehicles and EV charging, induction cooking, and more. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and to begin to formulate a plan for your own clean energy future. After you register, you will receive an email with detailed information about the Tour, including host addresses. Sponsored by  EnergizeActon.org.   REGISTER HERE.

Saturday, April 29
Earth Day: A Brief History of Open Space Preservation in Acton – presented by Acton Conservation Trust
2-3 PM
Acton Memorial Library
Earth Day: A Brief History of Open Space Preservation in Acton presented by ACT Vice President, Joe Cooney. For more information click here.

Saturday, April 29
A Walk on the Peace Trail
9-10:30 AM 
Cul-de-sac at the end of Drew Crossing, Westford 
Gerry’s phone: 978-692-9137.
This walk will be led by Gerry DiBello, and will run rain or shine. The trail offers a lovely and easy walk close to the center of town. The trail runs along the top of glacial eskers through wetlands that are abundant with wildlife in spring. Meet Gerry at the cul-de-sac at the end of Drew Crossing. Gerry’s phone: 978-692-9137.

Monday, May 1
Acton Town Meeting – Article 10: Permanently protect 549 Main Street, corner of Brook and Main Streets – includes the Isaac Davis Trail, Meadows, Woodland, and Bedrock Wells
7 PM
ABRHS Auditorium
Warrant Article 10, (2/3 vote) Community Preservation Program – Appropriations from Open Space Set-Aside – to acquire a permanent Conservation Restriction (CR) on 549 Main Street (Conant Property). The Acton Water District has voted to acquire, and to sell to the Town of Acton a Conservation Restriction, (CR) to permanently protect the land and water supply and grant public access. Vote YES at Town Meeting to contribute $1.03M of Community Preservation Funds toward the purchase of the CR. A “Yes” vote will not increase your taxes but it will permanently protect the property as open space. ACT is teaming with the Acton Water District, Sudbury Valley Trustees and Open Space Committee.

Tuesday, May 2
The Acton Garden Club’s May Meeting: “Growing Meadows Large and Small” presented by Kathy Connolly.
9-10:15 AM 
Business Meeting/hybrid; 10:15 AM – Presentation over Zoom only
Acton Town Hall Room 204
The Acton Garden Club’s next meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 2nd in Room 204 of Acton Town Hall with a business meeting at 9:00 and a program at 10:15 titled “ What is a meadow? Is it a lawn gone feral? Is it a perennial garden gone wild? Or something else altogether? In her presentation Ms. Connolly will explore the definition of a meadow and how it differs from other “no-mow” and “low-mow” approaches to the landscape. No one can grow an instant meadow, but this program will increase our understanding of what it takes to create and maintain one.

Ms. Connolly is a landscape designer who specializes in naturalized designs, low-impact landscape techniques and native plants. She has a master’s degree in ecological landscape planning and design, has completed the advanced master gardener program and is an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional through the Northeast Organic Farming Association of CT. Note: The general meeting will be hybrid but the program will only be over ZOOM. For non-club members who would like to see the program please see the club’s website at www.actongardenclub.org and leave a message for our webmaster. You will be contacted with the information needed to log into the event.

Friday, May 5 The Flower Moon – from the Old Farmers Almanac
1:36 PM (EDT) on Friday 
May’s full Flower Moon reaches peak illumination at 1:36 P.M. (EDT) It will be below the horizon at this time, so plan to venture outdoors on the nights of the 4th and the 5th to get the best view of the bright full Flower Moon!

May’s Flower Moon name should be no surprise; flowers spring forth across North America in abundance this month!
“Flower Moon” has been attributed to Algonquin peoples, as confirmed by Christina Ruddy of The Algonquin Way Cultural Centre in Pikwakanagan, Ontario.
May’s Moon was also referred to as the “Month of Flowers” by Jonathan Carver in his 1798 publication, Travels Through the Interior Parts of North America:wrote about Native Americans.: 1766, 1767, 1768 (pp. 250-252), as a likely Dakota name. Carver stayed with the Naudowessie (Dakota) over a period of time; his expedition covered the Great Lakes region, including Wisconsin and Minnesota areas.
Henry David Thoreau sparked the Native American Moon names as well, referencing the Flower Moon and Carver when he wrote about Native Americans.

Saturday, May 6
The Rat Poison Problem: How Rodenticides Harm People, Pets, and the Planet
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Waltham Public Library, 735 Main Street
Climate change, a construction boom, and growth in human population density have led to a dramatic rise in rats and mice in and around metro areas like Boston. Rat poison usually is the main method for dealing with the problem. But these poisons are killing local wildlife and pets and endanger our young children, while not actually proving at all effective in reducing rodents. Join us for a program by local wildlife and conservation advocate Laura Kiesel who will review the history of rodenticides, their impact on our health and environment, and solutions for a way forward. Out of consideration for the presenter, masks are required. If you are unable to attend in person register for the event to receive the Zoom link to watch it live streamed.

Saturday, May 6, 2023   (Rain date: May 7, 2023)
Annual Spring Service Day
Time: 1-3 pm
Event Parking: 20 Main Street, Acton MA
If you’ve ever wanted to be involved in cutting a trail through the woods, this service day is for you! Join us as we create the new Stonefield Farm Woodland Trail. Starting with a flagged line, we plan to cut a 0.3 mile long, 4 foot wide trail. Most of the work can be done with pruning shears or clippers, with some small tree removal needed. 
Family groups, scout groups, students and everyone else is welcome. No experience needed – we’ll show you what needs to be done. 
Come dressed in boots or sturdy shoes with long sleeves and pants, sprayed for ticks and mosquitos. Don’t forget your sunscreen! Expect weedy, rocky and uneven terrain. Please bring leather work gloves (best for thorns) and bypass pruning shears or clippers if you have them. A kneeling pad for gardening would be helpful. We will have some extra tools and loaner gloves available. We’ll also have water and refreshments.

Registration closed, event full! For more information or questions, please contact Jody Harris at jharris.actonconservationtrust@gmail.com

Thursday, May 11
The History of the Nashobah Praying Indians: Doings, Sufferings, Tragedy, and Triumph by Daniel V. Boudillion
Register HERE. Acton Memorial Library
7:00-8:30 pm
Author Dan Boudillion will discuss his just-published book on the history of the Nashobah Praying Indians from the 1654 establishment of Praying Indian Plantation to their sufferings during King Philip’s War and exile on Deer Island, then to the loss of their lands in 1736. The Nashobah village was one of the 16 “Praying Villages” established in Massachusetts in colonial times and included essentially all of modern Littleton. However, part of Acton was, and still is, on Nashobah Praying Plantation land!  Dan will share how the book came to be, and fascinating stories of the Nashobah Praying Indians who are still alive and a presence more than 350 years later.  Books will be available for purchase and signing at this event, as well as on amazon.com.  In-person only.  

Saturday, May 13 
Mother’s Day Weekend Spring Ephemeral Walk
10AM-11:30AM
In-person Hadley, MA – Fort River Trail at the Silvio O Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
Celebrate Mother’s Day with Women on the Land by learning about spring ephemeral flowers! Families are welcome (including kids, parents, and partners).
Laney Wilder, botanist and Executive Director of Opacum Land Trust, will be leading the walk to help identify different spring ephemeral flowers.
The trail is 1.2 miles long and is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. 
Pastries and coffee, as well as spring bulbs for you and your family, will be shared following the walk.Please sign up using the link below and check out the Upcoming Events list on the Women on the Land website for more information. Further details will be emailed the week before the event.
Sign Up Here.

Sunday, May 14
Plant ID & Natural History Walk – Horse Meadows Knoll -Sponsored by SVT.
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Horse Meadows Knoll, Harvard
Horse Meadows Knoll rises above Horse Meadows Reservoir, which is now a beautiful, naturalized pond. Beavers are active at the pond and great blue herons nest in the treetops above the pond. 
Join naturalist Roland “Boot” Boutwell for an informative nature walk as we search for mid-spring wildflowers and other cool plants. The walk will focus on plant identification as well as fun and interesting natural history about the plants we see.
This walk is free for current SVT members, otherwise there is a $10 fee per person to help support our land conservation efforts. Registration required, click here.

Thursday May 18
Foraging at the Acton Arboretum
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Meeting location: Acton Arboretum Parking Lot, 2 Taylor Road, Acton MA
Register.
The Acton Arboretum is home to over 80 species of edible wild plants, many of which are more nutritious and/or flavorful than their cultivated counterparts. Join the Early Conservation Career Network and Russ Cohen, author of the book Wild Plants I Have Known…and Eaten, on a two-hour ramble through the Arboretum to encounter to learn about at least 18 species of edible wild plants and how they function in the landscape. If the Arboretum lot is full, there is plenty of parking in the lot next to the Acton Town Hall and Library, which are about a 5 minute walk away.

Saturday, May 20th
Acton Garden Club/Fabulous Plant Sale
9-1 pm , rain or shine
Red House, 468 Main Street across from the Acton common.  Parking is available behind Town Hall or the Acton Center Fire Station. If you are looking to beautify your property, here’s your chance to easily do so. Come and shop.  The sale will include annuals, perennials, pollinators, native plants, a wide variety of locally grown flowers, trees, shrubs, vegetables, herbs, planted hanging baskets as well as a raffle with great prizes.  This year we also offering houseplants.  Credit cards will absolutely be accepted.
Come early for the best selections, pick out those plants you have been wanting, buy something you haven’t grown before and then take them all home and get digging!  https://www.actongardenclub.org/

Wednesday, May 24
Review of Acton Area Archaeology by Kimberley Connors
7:00-8:30 pm
Acton Memorial Library 
Register HERE.
Kimberley Connors, a local archaeologist specializing in public education, will share the fascinating archaeology of our local environment, from the Native American arrival thousands of years ago, through the European contact of the 1600s, and into the Colonial and early industrial periods. This program can help us appreciate our local landscape and what it offered to newcomers thousands of years ago as well as to those arriving in the last few centuries as well.
Kimberley holds a MA from Harvard University and has worked on numerous sites in New England and the Middle East. Her research includes local sites along the Assabet River and Nashoba Brook. Her talk will be followed by a brief review of Acton’s new archeological protection bylaw, which was just enacted last year.
In-person and live streamed on Acton TV at http://actontv.org/on-demand/livestream/public.

Tuesday, June 6 
Plant ID & Natural History Walk – Elliott Concord River Preserve
10-12:15
Elliott Concord River Preserve Elliott Concord River Preserve, Carlisle
Join naturalist Roland “Boot” Boutwell for an for an informative nature walk. Focus on plant identification as well as fun and interesting natural history about the plants we see.
All SVT programs require registration.
Please click on the blue program titles to bring you to the registration page.
For information about payment, directions to the program location, or cancelling a registration, see our Program Policies.

Note from the Boston Area Gleaners April 21 Newsletter
With spring in full swing, we are thrilled to see flowers blooming, seedlings sprouting, and volunteers volunteering with us again! Volunteering opportunities will continue to pop up as the weeks progress, so be sure you are  signed up as a volunteer on our websitesigned so that you can receive our volunteer trip alert emails. In the meantime, keep an eye on our opportunity list at the start of each week for trips taking place at Stonefield Farm before gleaning ramps up again (re-packing produce, processing banana boxes, etc.).

To learn more visit https://www.bostonareagleaners.org/apprenticeship-473920.html

Celebrate No Mow May in Acton this year!!  (borrowed from https://lincolnconservation.org/celebrate-no-mow-may/)
Did you know that 2% of the U.S. is covered in lawn? That’s 40 million acres! And that’s a problem because lawns are not habitat. They don’t provide good food or shelter to wildlife. Habitat loss is one of the many causes of pollinator decline.

Join in “No Mow May” and commit to letting the flowers bloom in your lawn this month. Studies show that unmown lawns host a greater diversity of bumblebees and have an overall higher abundance of pollinator visitors.

Take the next step and mow less frequently throughout the summer. Plants such as Self Heal, Violets, Clover, and Wild Strawberry bloom low and add color, beauty, and ecological value to a lawn.

Best of all, consider replacing some or all of the lawn with native plants. Native groundcovers, once established, form a beautiful and low maintenance lawn alternative. Planted areas that feature flowers that bloom throughout the season are of highest value to pollinators, as this space will provide an uninterrupted nectar supply. So don’t dust off your mower just yet! Let’s let the flowers bloom first!
Learn more about “No Mow May” here.

Pocket Pollinator Meadow Gardening recording 
In case you missed the program on Pocket Pollinator Meadow Gardening recording is now online here.

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Happy Earth Day Week!

Sincerely,
Susan Mitchell-Hardt 
President, Acton Conservation Trust
www.ActonConservationTrust.org

P.S.  Welcome  new “Events of Interest” subscribers!  As a nonprofit organization focused on conserving land in Acton, we rely upon the support of our members.  Visit our ACT website, and click on “Join Us”!