Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
The group enjoyed hot chili, cornbread and cookies while we waited for the clouds to clear. Thanks to ACT Trustee Jody Harris for organizing this event and a special thanks to the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston. There are more pictures and details if you take a look at the news item on our website.
The following news and events may be of interest: If you prefer, you may read “Events of Interest” on our website, ActonConservationTrust.org
Now – January 1, 2023
2022 Winter Tree Stroll
Join the Groton Conservation Trust and visit our nature sanctuaries to see beautiful trees decorated by Groton non-profits! Show your support for local organizations! Share your photos off our trees, post on social media at #2022GrotonTreeStroll; visit https://www.gctrust.org Check out all the trees by following the Winter Tree Stroll Facebook page for more details, photos, and directions.
Now – December 31, 2022
Littleton Little Town Tree Hunt December 2022
See Facebook page for details and rules.
For Littleton Conservation lands click here.
22 decorated trees distributed across Littleton conservation lands.
Now – December 17
Experience Destination: Nature, An Evocative Juried Art Show
Tuesday through Thursday: 12 – 6 pm, Friday, 12-3 pm, Sat & Sun 11-3 PM
Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA
Featuring works from over 50 regional artists who have been inspired by the thousands of acres of protected land in Harvard, Massachusetts. Sarah Montross, Senior Curator at the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park has juried the show, selecting the exhibited works and awarding top prizes. The exhibit will also feature an immersive video installation created by Bearwalk Cinema. See these natural landscapes and wildlife habitats through the eyes of talented artists. All art is available for purchase. Visit www.destination-nature.org
Tuesday, December 13
The Nature of Winter with Mass Audubon
11:00 AM
ZOOM
The nature of Massachusetts is filled with seasonal mysteries waiting to be uncovered. For more information and to register, click here.
December 10 – 21
SOLSTICE: Reflections on Winter Light
is an annual event at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, MA that includes an outdoor journey through large-scale light and sound artworks, and an indoor experience with live music and candle lighting. Guests are invited to walk through the light-filled landscape and explore the Winter Solstice atmosphere, and to reflect on moments of change as the year ends and a new cycle begins. Let the Solstice light your way as you encounter the unique spirit of Mount Auburn. This year’s event takes place December 10 – 21 and tickets will go on sale for the general public on November 2nd. https://www.mountauburnsolstice.org/
Sunday, December 11
Lexington Tea Burning Reenactment
10 am – 4 PM
Lexington Visitors Center, 1 Bedford St., Lexington, MA
On December 13, 1773, Lexington’s citizens met for a very special town meeting, where they voted to purge the town of the detested taxed tea. Following the resolve, they built a bonfire outside the meetinghouse and threw the town’s supply of tea into it, echoing Reverend Jonas Clarke’s words that anyone continuing to drink or buy tea was “an enemy to this town, and to this country.”
Activities will be happening indoor and outdoors throughout the day including drilling and musket firing, military music, drop-in programs about the history of tea and tea substitutes, and of course, the tea burning itself. Buckman Tavern will be decorated for the holidays and open free of charge during normal operating hours, 9:30 am – 4 pm. For more information click here.
Saturday, December 17
Winter Solstice with Farrington Nature Linc
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
295 Cambridge Turnpike, Lincoln
Celebrating the Winter Solstice with Crafts and Cocoa. Free with suggested donation $10. Family Friendly!
Join us as we celebrate the Winter Solstice.
The Winter Solstice marks the exact moment when half of Earth is tilted the farthest away from the sun, making it the longest night of the year.
Together we’ll make a bird seed ornament and use recycled materials to create your own paper lantern. We’ll go on a lantern-lit hike and enjoy hot cocoa next to the fire. Register Here!
Wednesday, December 21
Winter Solstice Sunrise Walk
7 am – 8 am
Half Moon Meadow Brook, Boxborough
Join SVT member George Krusen to view the winter solstice sunrise through the stone structures at Half Moon Meadow Brook, and hear the legends of their origins from leader George Krusen for a magnificent viewing. An Annual SVT favorite. Register Now!
Wednesday, December 21
Musketaquid Winter Solstice Celebration
6:00 PM
The Old Manse 269 Monument St., Concord, MA – side lawn
Bonfire; Drumming by the Drum Nomads; Solstice Ceremony at a 6:30 PM
This event is free but registration is required. Click here to register.
Sponsored by the Umbrella Arts and Environment Program. Limited parking for those who have pre-registered will be available at The Old Manse and the Old North Bridge/Robbins House lot. Please carpool or walk if at all possible. Click here for parking pass sign up.
January 1, 2023
Polystyrene and Disposable Plastic Reduction Bylaw: Effective January 1, 2023
At the 2022 Acton Annual Town Meeting, voters approved a new bylaw banning the use, sale, and distribution of polystyrene and disposable plastic utensils. This bylaw…… Read on
Mondays, 1/30, 2/2, 3/27, 3/30, 5/29, 6/1, 2023 (Total of 4 Discussions Sections)
Women of the Land (WOTL) Book Club Sign Up: Braiding Sweetgrass
This year’s Women on the Land book club. We will be reading “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer in ~100-page segments. For any questions, please email Lina Clifford at lclifford@umass.edu.
There will be four Zoom book discussions and two dates/times for each discussion to help accommodate for everyone’s schedules. Discussions will occur every other month and each discussion will have a Monday afternoon 12-1PM sitting and a Thursday evening 7-8PM sitting.
Sunday, March 12
Preview of ACT Annual Meeting: “Eyes on Owls”
1 PM – 2:30 PM
Acton Town Hall, 472 Main Street, Room 204, Acton, MA
Naturalists Marcia and Mark Wilson will introduce you to 6 live owls up close and personal! After much anticipation, Marcia brings the owls out one by one. Each bird is safely perched on her glove as she walks close to everyone, providing intimate views of these secretive birds of prey. And, everyone gets to practice the owls’ calls during the hooting lessons! The Wilsons highlight the owls’ unique adaptations, habitats and behaviors in the wild, while sharing tips on how you can look for owls yourself. Questions are taken once the owls come out.
1 PM Business Meeting
1:30 PM-2:30 – Eyes on Owls Presentation
Acton Town Hall, Room 204 and Zoom
Recordings Available:
Environmental justice and indigenous land issues … – YouTube. – Talk given by Pete Westover, Co-Founder of Conservation Works, LLC
This talk will focus on the current indigenous struggles for land in New England and eastern Canada, focusing on the Penobscot, Nipmuc, Mashpee Wampanoag, Chappaquiddick Wampanoag, and Cree. Pete Westover will discuss the work of groups like Conservation Law Foundation, Arise for Social Justice, and Climate Action Now in partnership with Environmental Justice communities on land, energy and climate issues.
The most recent information on PFAS, or “Forever Chemicals” in Massachusetts Drinking Water
–from Matt Mostoller, Assistant District Manager, Water Supply District of Acton, December 2, 2022
The most recent information on PFAS, including status updates on our response actions, are always available on our dedicated PFAS webpage at www.actonwater.com/pfas. We anticipate additional updates to our website in the coming weeks.
SAFETY ALERT: Wear blaze orange this fall during outdoor visits and activities!
Hunting is now through end of December. Be safe, be seen! While hunters are required to wear blaze orange during certain seasons, all people who are outdoors this fall should wear blaze orange as a precaution for increased visibility.
Mass Wildlife Hunting Information
Video: See hunting season video on the effectiveness of blaze orange
Hunting Hours
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”!