Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
The following news and events may be of interest:
This week until – August 13
Riverfest 2023
To view all the events, visit https://www.sudbury-assabet-concord.org/riverfest-2023.php
Come, Connect, and Experience your local wild and scenic rivers! A Riverfest Summer!
Enjoy free hikes, paddles, walks, music, and family fun all summer long in this annual celebration of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and Scenic River. Explore all the rivers have to offer, just west of Boston!
Saturday, August 12
Storytime: How many birds can a young girl count in a day followed by birdhouse construction using recycled milk cartons
10:30 AM
The Old Manse, 269 Monument St., Concord
Saturday/Sunday, August 12-13
Perseid Meteor Shower
When does the Perseid meteor shower peak?
The 2023 Perseid meteor shower peaks on the night of August 12 and the morning of August 13. The Perseids usually put on a good show and this year may produce 50 to 75 meteors per hour at a dark site. The 2023 Perseids peak right before a new Moon, meaning the skies will be particularly dark, which is ideal for viewing.
Like most meteor showers, the Perseids are caused by the debris of a comet that once crossed Earth’s path. In this case, the shower is caused by debris from comet Swift-Tuttle. The comet’s 133-year orbit carries it out beyond Pluto. It last visited our inner Solar System in 1992.
Sunday August 13
Carlisle Trail Walk starting at Foss Farm
1:00 PM
Foss Farm, on Rt. 225, Carlisle
Enjoy a 3.5 mile walk (~3 hours) through meadows and forests on trails paralleling the Concord River, starting at the Foss Farm conservation land and passing through Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge and the O’Rourke farm on the way to scenic Greenough Pond in the Greenough conservation land. Be prepared for wet conditions underfoot, bring drinking water and insect repellent. Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the walk. Dogs are not permitted in the Refuge. Meet at the Foss Farm parking lot, 0.3 mi west of the Concord River bridge on Rte. 225. For information, email leader Alan Ankers at carlisletrails@comcast.net.
Tuesday, August 15,
Invasives Pull at Smith
1:00 – 3:00pm
Smith Conservation Area, Littleton/Harvard
Come pull invasives at Smith Conservation Land in Littleton! This workday is part of ongoing conservation efforts to get rid of bittersweet. There is poison ivy at this site. Please wear long pants, sun protective clothing, and closed-toe shoes. Bring water and any snacks you may want. Register at https://svtprograms.funraise.org/
Sunday, August 20
Acton-Boxborough Farmer’s Market – October 15
Elm Street Playground, West Acton
10 AM – 1 PM
Come visit the Acton Conservation Trust at the Farmer’s Market Community Table!!
Join ABFM for our 15th season of promoting good food and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Visit http://www.abfarmersmarket.org for more information
Sunday, Aug. 20
Breakfast at Fort Pond, Littleton
8 Kaleva Road
Directions at www.Kalevalittleton.org
Thursday, August 25th
Summer Plant ID Workshop
9am
Join Conservation Department Staff for a summer walk through the fields, rain or shine! The route will be about 1.5 miles through woods and fields. Registration is required for this free walk. Location/Parking Information provided upon registration. Sign up Here.
Saturday & Sunday, September 9 & 10
Wilderness First Aid
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Stewardship Training Center, Plymouth, MA
Accidents happen. People get hurt, sick, or lost. The temperature drops, the wind picks up, and it starts to rain. Would you know what to do? Wildlands will host SOLO Wilderness Medical School to teach a course on Wilderness First Aid. Learn more and register Published in eNews, July 2023, Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Sign up to volunteer at BAG, https://www.bagetc.org/gleanlist.php
Thursday, August 10th
9:30am – 12:30pm: Blueberry Harvest
Location: Hanson, MA
Thursday, August 10th
10:00am – 1:00pm: Beet Harvest
Location: Sharon, MA
Friday, August 11th
8:30am – 11:30am: Pepper and Onion Harvest
Location: Stow, MA
Friday, August 11th
9:00am – 12:00pm: Collard, Cabbage and Greens Harvest
Location: Weston, MA
Friday, August 11th
2:00pm – 4:30pm: Veggie Wash and Pack
Location: Acton, MA
*Please join the waitlist if a trip is full! Not only will this help us gauge interest moving forward, but if someone is unable to attend who had previously committed, and depending on your place on the waitlist, you will be automatically added to the roster.
*Don’t forget: The most up-to-date trip information is always on the website. We may post trips after the weekly email goes out. To stay in the loop about last-minute calls for volunteers, you can join our volunteer emergency text list!
Walden Pond in Concord
7 am-7 pm
915 Walden St.
walden.pond@state.ma.us; 978-369-3254, bridal paths, and farm roads.
Boat ramp Sunday – Saturday: 5 AM – 7 PM.
Parking: MA resident $8; Non-MA resident: $30
Annual and senior passes NOT sold in park, click here to purchase an annual pass, click here to purchase a senior pass.
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”!