Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
The following news and events may be of interest:
(If you prefer, you may read “Events of Interest” on our website, ActonConservationTrust.org)
Now – September 5
New Exhibit: Alive with Birds: William Brewster in Concord
Thursday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 PM, Walk ins welcome!
Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA
Visit this special exhibition to discover the beauty of birds. William Brewster (1851-1919) was Mass Audubon’s first President He dedicated over thirty years of his life to the study of birds in Concord at his property, which he called October Farm. Drawn to Concord for its natural beauty and abundant bird life, Brewster made October Farm his experimental field laboratory and documented its wildlife for scientific study and public enlightenment. In 2019, Mass Audubon received a 143 acre parcel of land which was once part of October Farm, which has been renamed Brewster’s Woods Wildlife Sanctuary.
For more information visit https://concordmuseum.org/alive-with birds-
Members free; Adults $15, Seniors $12, Children (6 to 17) $8
Thursday, August 11
August’s Full Moon aka Sturgeon Moon
It is called the Sturgeon Moon because the giant sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this part of summer. Other names for this Full Moon include “Full Green Corn Moon,” signaling that the corn was nearly ready for harvest, “Wheat Cut Moon,” “Moon When All Things Ripen,” and “Blueberry Moon.”
August 11-12
Perseid Meteor Shower 2022 Peaks according to the American Meteor Society:
When, where & how to see it
By Sarah Lewin , Chelsea Gohd , Daisy Dobrijevic published 9 days ago
The Perseids are active every year from July 14 to Aug. 24, They are one of the most popular meteor showers of the year. The Perseids won’t be quite as spectacular s they were in 2021, due to the fall moon illuminating the sky.
The Perseids are caused by Earth passing through debris — bits of ice and rock — left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle which last passed close to Earth in 1992. The Perseids peak when Earth passes through the densest and dustiest area on Aug. 11-12. Years without moonlight see higher rates of meteors per hour, and in outburst years (such as in 2016) the rate can be between 150-200 meteors an hour. For more information, visit https://www.space.com/32868-perseid-meteor-shower-guide.html
Thursday, August 11
Micro Adventures in Massachusetts
7:00pm
Join author Alison O’Leary as she helps us get out and explore with adventurous day trips to islands, waterfalls, and abandoned towns/settlements, tips to spot/track wildlife, and introductions to hiking/kayaking opportunities. All welcome! No registration required! Acton Memorial Library.
Saturday, August 13
Snakes of New England and the World: A live animal program
11:00 am
Wolbach Farm, Sudbury
$5 for SVT members; $10 for non-members
Here is your chance to see native and exotic snakes close up. Rick Roth, local snake expert and Director of Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team, will share some of his favorite snakes and talk about their lives and habits in this live animal presentation. Details and registration at https://www.svtweb.org/node/11055/register
Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14
Thoreau Farm is Open for Tours!
11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM
Thoreau Farm, 341 Virginia Road, Concord, MA
Take an inside look at the restored 1730s house listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Wheeler-Minot Farmhouse/Henry David Thoreau Birth House. Locally, it is also known as “Thoreau Farm.” Tour includes the lovingly restored second-floor room where Henry David Thoreau was born in 1817. Visits are by guided tour only. Admission is free. Suggested Donation $5/person.
Sunday, August 14
Acton-Boxborough Farmer’s Market
Elm Street Playground, West Acton
10 AM – 1 PM
Join us for our 14th season of promoting good food and supporting sustainable agriculture. Visit http://www.abfarmersmarket.org for more information.
Wednesday, August 17
MACC’s Lunch & Learn Program Topic: New Tools for Communicating the Value of Nature’s Services
12 Noon
Information: Click HERE to learn more and to register.
Presenters:
Robb Johnson, Executive Director, Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition (MLTC)
Christa Collins, Director of Land Protection, Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT
Registration Required: 100 seats available. First come, first served on this free program.
Wednesday, August 17
Walking Tour of Acton’s Conservation Land
4:00—5:00 PM
Location: TBD
Join Bettina Abe, Natural Resources Assistant with the Town of Acton, as she takes residents on a walking tour of one of Acton’s conservation land trail systems to be decided by registrants. On this tour we will learn about the trail’s history and ecology. Walks are approximately 45 – 60 min. and will be approx. one mile in length. Trail surface is level, partially paved, partially grass, and partially natural forest floor with some roots to step over. Registration required.
More information and registration on the Library’s online calendar.
Thursday, August 25
9:00am
Summer Plant ID Workshop. 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.
Sunday, August 28
Breakfast at Fort Pond, Littleton
8 Kaleva Road
Directions at www.kalevalittletonma.org
Sunday, September 11
End of Summer Celebration, sponsored by Massachusetts Rivers Alliance
3-6 PM
Hale Reservation, Westwood,
Music, Food, Boating and Community
Revel outdoors with us and celebrate our recent successes with an afternoon of food, music, and fun. Live music, light refreshments, boating, raffle prizes, awards and more! Register today! massriversalliance.org
Monday, October 3
Great Falls, A Documentary
7:00 PM
Smithsonian filmmaker Ted Timreck will screen a retrospective of his film that tells a dramatic story of environmental and cultural preservation when Turners Falls, Massachusett’s plans to expand its airport runway included removal of a ceremonial stone landscape Native Americans identified as a ritual site. Sponsored by the Sargent Memorial Library in Boxborough. In-person and Zoom. The Friends Pine Hawk 2022 Fall Program is presented with support from the Acton Memorial Library, the Sargent Memorial Library, and Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. All programs are free but require registration here. Questions? Email friends.of.pinehawk@gmail.com.
Assabet, Sudbury and Concord Rivers in Critical Drought
August 9, 2022: Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Bethany Card declared that the Level 3 – Critical Drought has expanded from our region to include the Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeast and Southeast Regions, a Level 2 – Significant Drought in the Cape Cod Region, and a Level 1 – Mild Drought in the Western and Islands Regions
Download Mass Drought Flyer – Water Conservation Tips
HIT THE WATER – PICK YOUR PADDLES
The South Bridge Boathouse
Canoe and Kayak Rental service in Concord
496 Main St., Concord, MA
10 AM – one hour before dusk Monday-Friday; Weekends and Holidays: 9 AM to one hour before dusk
Rent a canoe or kayak and explore miles of peaceful waterways on the Assabet, Sudbury and Concord Rivers. A leisurely 1.5 mile paddle to the Old North Bridge is a favorite.
For more information contact 978-369-9438 or visit https://www.southbridgeboathouse.com/
VOLUNTEERING:
Boston Area Gleaners (BAG)
Thursday, August 11
Potato Harvest
9-noon
Lincoln, MA
Friday, August 12
Check back later on our website for Friday trips!
TBD
Saturday, August 13
Corn Harvest
9-noon
Acton, MA
Turnip and Bean Harvest
10-12:30 PM
Sharon, MA
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!
Got Banana Boxes?
We’re looking for banana boxes to pack and transport our gleaned produce! Banana boxes can be collected from grocery stores, corner stores, pantries, or anywhere that sells bananas.
We’ll keep a running total of the boxes you’ve dropped off at Stonefield Farm and we’ll be in touch to give you merch in recognition of your efforts!
For more detailed information and instructions, click here.
HELP WANTED:
Town of Acton Sustainability Office – Hiring new Environmental Analyst.
The Town’s Sustainability Office is seeking an individual with a passion for the environment to serve as the new Environmental Analyst. This position is full-time with excellent benefits. For more info, visit our website at http://www.actonma.gov/jobs and email resume and cover letter to jobs@actonma.gov
Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition (MLTC) is Hiring a Part Time Development and Operations Coordinator
Spread the word! We’re growing and we’re looking for a talented part-time Development and Operations Coordinator who’s self-directed, comfortable taking initiative, and excels at handling operational and member relations / development logistics, research and details, as well as is FB and Insta-savvy. Spread the word – or apply now. Details here.
Understand Urban Forests Benefits for Climate and Health – from https://www.vibrantcitieslab.com/guide/identify-benefits-of-your-urban-forests-for-climate-and-health/
Planting and maintaining trees in urban forests can improve climate resilience, carbon mitigation and human health. With more than 8 in 10 people in the United States currently living in urban areas having nature integrated in cities supports the health and well-being of communities. Learn more here.
Climate Resilience for Affordable Housing – from Beacon Hill Weekly Roundup – August 2, 2021
Mass Audubon supports legislation to improve affordable housing planning by preventing its development too close to wetlands or in floodplains – protections that already apply to market-rage development. Improper siting can expose residents to elevated risks of flooding and water quality problems, which are worsened by climate change.
Walden Pond in Concord
7 am-7:30 pm
915 Walden St.
walden.pond@state.ma.us 978-369-3254, bridal paths, and farm roads
One-way trail loop system to promote social distancing; Boat ramp Sunday – Saturday: 5 AM – 7 PM.
Parking: MA resident $8; Non-MA resident: $30 Annual and senior passes NOT sold in park
Use this link to purchase a pass: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/purchase-an-annual-parking-pass-for-massachusetts-state-parks
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/get-a-senior-parking-pass
Camp Acton is Open
Pope Road, Acton
Fee is $25 per site reserved through the Recreation Department.
Limited to 10 people per site. Visit http://trails.actonma.gov/ to learn more about Camp Acton.
Please complete the registration form 48 business hours prior to desired reservation date.
Payments are due upon reservation confirmation
Portable toilet on site.
All users must follow social distancing, regulations and posted guidelines.
Please complete and send camp Acton Permit application via email to recreation@actonma.gov or fax to 978-929-6333
Please allow up to two business days to process.
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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”!