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)
From the Town Managers Report, Oct. 28, 2019
https://concordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/22076/Town-Managers-Report–October-28-2019
In 2019 Volunteers and Concord Natural Resources staff planted over two hundred plugs of native plants in a demonstration pollinator garden at Heywood Meadow. Over the past several years, the approach to meadow management has been to mow in the late fall to allow late flowering plants like asters and goldenrod to set seed, providing seed sources for following years, with the hope of an ever growing base of native plants on the meadow. These efforts help to counteract the staggering losses of familiar songbirds – over 3 billion in the past 20 years – from continued decline, and also provide important food and cover for native polllnators from Wild Bergamont and Milkweed plants – 4 Monarch butterflies were seen in the first few minutes of a brief visit of 1 3/4 acre meadow.
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
Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7
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 7
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.
Sunday, August 7
Natural History Walk at Throne Hill, Groton
10AM -Noon
Meet at Throne Hill (at Rockwood Lane trailhead)
As we all spend more time than ever outside, there has been a renewed interest in the forests, wetlands, and other beautiful open spaces throughout town. We’ve heard from many people who are exploring new trails and properties and discovering the incredible wealth of natural places full of plant and animal wildlife. We invite you to join us on an exploration of Groton’s natural areas that takes a deeper dive, where we share insights and knowledge about the changing landscape to help you find an even greater appreciation on your walks on the trails.
Join naturalist and educator Michelle Ruby as she takes you on a tour of the Throne Hill complex, a matrix of properties owned by several conservation organizations. Discover the foundations of former farm houses, various types of stone walls, and signs of the ecology and biology of a forest in transition. Learn how to use the forest itself to estimate how long ago human activities and disturbances occurred. If you’ve previously enjoyed our Black Friday walks with ecologist Tom Wessels, this is the event for you!
Offered in partnership with the Prescott School Community Center.
Current Groton Conservation Trust members may register for free. To receive your discount, submit your information here: https://forms.gle/Kny8R91Cwit9tJDc8
Or you can register for a $10 fee directly through Prescott here: https://prescottscc.org/product/natural-history-walk-at-the-throne-with-ecologist-michelle-ruby/
REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY AUGUST 5
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
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.
Sunday, August 28
Breakfast at Fort Pond, Littleton
8 Kaleva Road
Directions at www.kalevalittletonma.org
Saturdays and Sundays
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.
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/
Updated Drought Status
Please conserve water!
Our watershed is now in a Level Three-Critical Drought Status. Residents and businesses should now minimize overall water use both indoors and outdoors and stop all non-essential outdoor watering. Whether you have municipal or your own well, strictly conserve now to protect local drinking water supplies, nature habitats and ensure water for fire protection and local farms. Visit our website for conservation tips: www.oars3rivers.org
In addition to conserving water please consider taking action and email our local lawmakers. The drought management bill (S.530)– which would give the state the authority it needs to call for widespread water conservation before there is a drought emergency– is stuck in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/drought-status
From Lincoln Land Conservation Trust e-Newsletter: For those who recently planted pollinator plants, we recommend a thorough hand watering once per week of perennials and shrubs. Using water from a rain barrel or house gray water is encouraged!
VOLUNTEERING:
Boston Area Gleaners (BAG)
Saturday, August 6
Cherry Tomato Harvest
9-noon
Acton, MA
Turnip and Bean Harvest
10-12:30 PM
Sharon, MA
Bean and Beet Harvest
1:30-3:30 PM
Location: Sharon, MA
Packing Corn
1:30 – 3:30 PM
Acton, 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
Boston Area Gleaners (BAG) are still hiring for seasonal apprentices. To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to hiring@bostonareagleaners.org
Please help us spread the word at your favorite local spot! Visit here to volunteer https://www.bagetc.org/gleanlist.php
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.
East Acton Village Green Plant Care Needed – Now through Summer:
Volunteers are needed to take care of the new plants at the East Acton Village Green this spring and summer as they become established. Contact Bettina Abe: babe@ActonMA.gov for further information.
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.
Support Acton Conservation Trust while you make purchases on AmazonSmile! ACT will receive a small payment, and these add up!From your desktop or laptop computer, AmazonSmile is available at at smile.amazon.com on your Web browser. Bookmark it for easy use!
AmazonSmile is available from your mobile phone as well. To activate AmazonSmile in the Amazon Shopping app, simply tap on “AmazonSmile” within the Programs & Features menu or Settings and follow the on-screen instructionS.
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”!