Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
The following events may be of interest:
Sunday, April 21
Concord Wetland Wildlife: Close Looks at the Animals of Thoreau’s Favorite Swamp
2-3:30 PM
Main Library, 129 Main St., Concord, MA
Lincoln resident and frequent program leader for LLCT, Ron McAdow, will be giving a slide presentation in Concord. The presentation will feature videos and photos of wildlife from Well Meadow, a wetland off of Fairhaven Bay. McAdow monitors the wildlife activity across a beaver dam in the swamp. Learn more and register here.
Learn more and register here.
Monday April 22 – 28
Town-wide Acton Clean Up Week – sponsored by Green Acton!
Stay tuned for details
Monday, 4/22/24
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.
Wednesday, April 17-Friday, April 26
Birding at Mt. Auburn Cemetery w Brookline Bird Club
6:30 AM
Mt. Auburn Cemetery, 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA https://ebird.org/hotspot/L207391
Special Note for Mount Auburn Cemetery Visits: Trip leaders at MAC must be able to park. Trip participants are kindly asked to leave the first parking space in front of the medical office building free for the leader. Just west of the cemetery is free on-street parking on side streets (e.g. Francis Street) in Watertown, a short walk or ride on the bus 71 or 73 to the cemetery gate. The BBC does not endorse use of the nearby Star Market parking lot; towing is possible. Other options worth checking include Fresh Pond Lane off Brattle Street. Check daily listings for starting times. Very large groups may be split.
BBC field trips are open to all participants. Unless otherwise stated, all trips are free to attend and do not need preregistration. You do not need to be a club member to attend, though we hope you will join. See the Field Trip FAQ for answers to general questions. Contact leaders for more details about specific trips.
We follow all policies of field trip location property owners and co-sponsoring organizations. These may include ongoing public health measures. Some participants may choose to wear a face mask for health purposes. We support their right to do so.
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Full Moon, the Pink Moon
Peak illumination at 7:49 PM Eastern Time
Our eyes may perceive it to be full for up to three days!
The term “Pink Moon” refers to the first full Moon following the spring equinox and its moniker actually has nothing to do with the appearance of the Moon and everything to do with the vibrant pink flowers, known as wild ground phlox (Phlox subulata), that bloom in abundance beneath it.
Pink Moon: Full Moon in April 2024
Almanac.comhttps://www.almanac.com › content › full-moon-april
Wednesday, April 24
“A Part of Nature, Not Apart from Nature”
7-8:30pm
Acton Town Hall, Room 204, and virtually
Join Trevor Smith for this talk about how to garden and manage landscapes for resilience. How can we keep soils intact and vigorous? What plant species are most adaptable? And which species are key for maintaining the biodiversity on which our land depends? Trevor is the Design and Education Manager for Weston Nurseries, but he also has long experience in regenerative land care, from addressing urban heat islands with greening projects to designing rain gardens and managing stormwater runoff.
This event is FREE and in-person, but when registering, you can indicate whether you plan to attend in person or whether you need a zoom link. Register HERE.
Co-sponsored by EnergizeActon.org, the Acton Conservation Trust, and the Acton Garden Club Shirley Towle Fund.
Wednesdays, April 24-June 5
I Hiked Acton’s Trails Challenge
2:30 pm-4:00 pm
Location sent out the Sunday before each hike.
Walk (or wheelchair) trails in Acton’s conservation areas with the goal of earning a sticker and a sew-on patch! This weekly set of walks is a joint effort between Acton Conservation Department and Acton Conservation Trust. We hope to complete 9 of 22 conservation land walks and may continue the challenge next fall.
All ages are welcome!, Register for one hike or all nine! All children must be accompanied by an adult.
REGISTER HERE! For more information or questions, please contact Jody Harris at jharris.actonconservationtrust@gmail.com or Ian Bergemann at ibergemann@acton-ma.gov
Friday, April 26, 27 and 28
Silent Sky
8 PM
Theatre III, 250 Central Street, West Acton
After the eclipse, reach for the STARS this April & Celebrate STEAM (Science Technology Engineering ART & Math) with AB PIP STEM at Theatre III. Join us for AB STEAM night at the Theatre III **Sat, April 27** 8pm production of Silent Sky
Special $20/ Group Tix (quantity limited, reserve by 4/15) To reserve 4/27 group tickets, please email actonpip@yahoo.com BY 4/15 with subject ‘Silent Sky’ along with name, email, mobile and # of $20 group tickets (4/27 date) OR you can purchase Silent Sky tickets for any performance at https://www.theatreiii.org/silent-sky-2024.html
Production by Lauren Gunderson. Theatre III highlights: When Henrietta Leavitt joins the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900’s as a ‘computer’ charting the stars for an astronomer, she isn’t allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. A true story with local STEM connections.
Saturday, April 27
PlugIN Tour: Clean Energy Home of the Month – April Focus on Dual Fuel & Solar
Two sessions: 11am and 1pm
North Acton address sent with registration.
Energize Acton continues its series on how energy use matters for the natural world with an April home tour that features a multi-systems house. The homeowners have moved one step at a time, from insulation to including an air source heat pump for part of their energy load. Most recently, when their tree canopy changed, they installed rooftop solar. Come and hear about their journey to decrease the carbon footprint of their home. Coffee, munchies, and tax credit/rebate resources included. There will be two free sessions, one at 11am and one at 1pm. The address will be sent upon registration. For info and registration, click HERE.
Tuesday, April 30
Acton Town Elections
RJ Grey Jr. High School Gymnasium, 16 Charter Road
Polls open 7 AM to 8 PM
Additional election information can be found on the Elections & Voting Page
https://www.acton-ma.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=11441
Tuesday, April 30 2024
“Rodent Control: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.” Gary Menin, presenting
7:00-8:30 PM
The Groton Center, 163 West Main St., Groton
A newly formed citizen activist group, Save Nashoba Valley Wildlife, is hosting. The purpose is to educate the public about the dangers of rat poisons (SGARS) and to provide alternatives. Please join us to learn more.
The following is a brief example:
Did you know that in 2020, 100% of every red-tailed hawk tested by Tufts Veterinary Clinic proved positive for anticoagulant rodenticides? Since 2021, there have been four documented SGARs-related eagle deaths in the Commonwealth. Additionally, 90% of dead hawks and owls at Tufts have tested positive for SGARs.
Thursday, May 9
Acton: 4000 to 7000 Years Ago by local archaeologist Kimberley Connors
7-8:30 PM
Acton Memorial Library
Extending a popular talk Ms. Connors gave last year, 4000 to 7000 Years Ago focuses specifically on Acton’s archeological sites from the Middle Archaic period (4000-7000 years before present). The most well-known of these is the Pine Hawk site in South Acton, but there are several other sites along the Assabet River and its tributaries.
This program brings our local landscape alive by looking at why indigenous people were so attracted to this region. Through the artifacts and excavations of local archaeological sites, people can look beyond the glare of the modern to the contours of the land and understand more about Indigenous people and how they thrived here for millennia. Ms. Connors will lead a walk through the Trail through Time a short time later on May 18, so people can see firsthand some of the landscape and sites described in this lecture.
Register HERE to attend in person or via Zoom.
Thursday, May 9,
Coyote, America’s Songdog
7:00 PM
Free Zoom Program
Geri Vistein, a conservation biologist, will take us on a journey to discover Coyote, an important and resilient carnivore. Vistein will center on perceptions and relationships within a coyote family, and between coyotes and Indigenous People, European Americans, other wildlife, and the
wider ecosystem.
Hosted by Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and Lincoln Conservation Department
Sunday, May 12
Happy Mother’s Day
Saturday, May 18
Spring Archaeology Walk
Noon-2 PM in North Acton
Local archaeologist Kimberley Connors will lead a two-mile hike focusing on Native American features along the Trail Though Time in North Acton. Registrants will receive an email with details a few days before the walk. Limited to the first 20 people to sign up, ages 15 and up. (Rain Date, Sunday, May 19, noon-2PM).
Register HERE to walk.
Saturday, June 8
National Trails Day
National Trails Day on the first Saturday in June recognizes all the incredible benefits federal, state and local trails provide for recreation and exposure nature. Events held throughout the United States help promote awareness of the wide variety of services the trails systems offer. The day encourages people to discover their local trials, become active concerning trail issues, and share their excitement for the outdoors. Visit https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-trails-day-first-saturday-in-june# for more information.
Friday, June 21
Summer Solstice Bike Ride
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (rain date June 22);
Pedal Power Bike & Ski, 176 Great Road (Rt. 2A) Acton, MA 01720; Parking available across Great Road.
Contact Tom Michelman: tmichelman@gmail.com
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE ACTON EXCHANGE
Acton’s local news source; visit actonexchange.org for current articles of interest to all of the Town.Acton’s new online newspaper,
Letters to the Exchange. The Acton Exchange is now publishing Letters. In this debut moment, we publish 22 of your letters to the editor. If you have questions about the Acton Exchange, your new local Acton news source, or you would like to volunteer in any capacity, please email info@actonexchange.org.
If you would like to submit a letter to be considered for publication on our Letters page, please follow the directions on our Letters Policy page.
Garlic Mustard Season
It’s garlic mustard season again! Help manage this invasive plant across town by pulling on your own property.
Garlic mustard season runs from April 15th through June 14th.
Recent Recordings
If you missed “Outsider: My Boyhood with Thoreau” — A Book Talk with Lawrence Millman., found on our website at: thoreaufarm.org/the-write-connection/
Call for Community Planning Process Volunteers – Paid Role
The Town of Acton is looking for up to 5 community members to join a climate resilience planning process! Volunteers will receive a stipend of $2,400 during the 9-month process. For more information, visit Official Website | Acton MA
Town of Acton Now Hiring: Conservation Agent
Are you passionate about the environment? Looking to make a difference the community? Town of Acton is seeking a Conservation Agent to join our Conservation Team. For more information and how to apply, please visit actonma.gov/jobs (From actonma.gov)
************************
Happy Spring!!
Susan Mitchell-Hardt
President, Acton Conservation Trust
www.ActonConservationTrust.org
P.S. Welcome new “Events of Interest” subscribers! As a non-profit organization focused on conserving land in Acton, we rely upon the support of our members. Visit our ACT website, and click on “Join Us”