Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
The following news and events may be of interest:
Wednesday, December 6
Open Space and Recreation Virtual Public Meeting.
6-7:30pm
ZOOM. To join the webinar on the 6th, please click:https://actonma.zoom.us/j/88628561597
The Open Space and Recreation Plan working group is hosting a virtual public meeting via zoom to present the plan’s goals and action items that have been drafted through community input. During this meeting we will also present on the parcel prioritization process, receive public comments and answer questions about the plan. We hope to see you there!
The goals, sub-goals, action items and parcel prioritization will also be uploaded to
Docushare by December 1st. If you have comments or questions but are unable to attend, please email OSRP@actonma.gov . To join the webinar on the 6th, please click: https://actonma.zoom.us/j/886285615
Wednesday, December 6
The Climate Impact of Private Jet Expansion Massport
6-7:30 pm
Goodwin Forum, Main Concord Library, 129 Main Street, Goodwin Forum
also via Zoom
Massport is planning a massive hangar build-out for private jets at Hanscom Field (not Hanscom Air Force Base), which is the largest single development in Hanscom’s history. This will impact our community by increasing greenhouse gas emissions levels and more. Come join us for this insightful program. Speakers are Senator Mike Barrett (3rd Middlesex District), Alex Chatfield, St. Anne’s Climate Justice Committee; Neil Rasmussen, Save Our Heritage; Chuck Collins, Institute for Policy Studies; Michael McDonald, Town of Concord Climate Action Committee. League member Diane Proctor will moderate the session. No registration required for in-person attendance.
Thursday, December 7
Massachusetts Rivers Alliance Annual Meeting! Featuring Kari Kastango!
3pm (live on Zoom)!
She’s recently made waves by swimming the entire length of the Connecticut River (410 miles!),
from its chilly start just a stone’s throw from Canada to its salty finish in Long Island Sound, Connecticut.
Why did she do it?
“I got tired of doing flip turns in the pool,” she told our Executive Director Julia Blatt, and decided to take a dip in her local river, in Northampton. Thus began her great four-year adventure, which she will share with us on December 7. Register at https://www.massriversalliance.org/
Thursday, December 7
Meredith Gallogly of Grow Native Massachusetts will discuss the importance of native, keystone plant species
8:30-9:30 am
Meredith will share information about Grow Native. Join the Lincoln Conservation Department and LLCT on Zoom.
At this Conservation Coffee, Meredith will discuss the importance of native, keystone plant species and share information about Grow Native. Access the Zoom Link here.
Thursday December 7
Porcupines Don’t Shoot Their Quills
1-2:30 pm
Chelmsford Senior Center 75 Groton Road, N. Chelmsford, MA
Come join Jane Newhouse, founder of Newhouse Wildlife Rescue, as she shares interesting facts about our local wildlife. She will discuss what wildlife rehabilitation is all about, share fun facts about opossums, porcupines, beavers, raccoons and foxes. Learn the do’s and don’ts of helping injured and orphaned wild animals in an emergency. Event is free and open to all ages. Bring your questions!
Newhouse Wildlife Rescue is located in Chelmsford, MA. Each year, we help numerous sick, injured and orphaned wild animals heal and grow until they can be released back into the wild. Bigger, stronger and free!
Thursday, December 14
Brews with BCTrust!
7-9pm
Dirigible Brewing Co. 24 Porter Road, Littleton
Join Boxborough Conservation Trust for an informal winter gathering at Dirigible Brewing Co. in Littleton. All are welcome, but please RSVP to bharris@bctrust.org by December 7 so we have an idea of numbers for food.
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Announcements:
CPA Update:
DOR Announces November 2023 CPA Trust Fund Distribution (From Stuart Saginor, Executive Director of CPA, 11/21/23)
The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) released the Community Preservation Trust Fund distribution for each CPA municipality 11/20/23. In total, approximately $50 million was paid to the 189 communities eligible for a distribution. All CPA communities received a 21% match on round one of the trust fund distribution this year. Communities that adopted CPA with a full 3% local property tax surcharge received a higher percentage.
As previously reported, the state is not expecting to have a surplus on their annual budget this year – unfortunately this means that this year’s CPA Trust Fund distribution will not contain additional revenue from the state budget surplus.
Acton: $1,295,219, Round 1 $272,311 Final distribution: $272,311 Final Percentage Reimbursement 21%
For more information visit https://www.communitypreservation.org/home/news/november-2023-statewide-trust-fund-distribution-announced
Acton Conservation Trust Membership Season
If you love Acton’s open space and trails, wildlife, scenic vistas, guided walks and virtual/in person lectures, and programs, please consider joining or renewing your ACT membership. Donations to ACT are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. As an additional bonus, ACT offers a free baseball cap with ACT logo. To join or renew, visit ActonConservationTrust.org and a click on “Join/Donate”.
Growing the ACT Board of Trustees:
Are you interested in preserving open space in Acton? While Acton has the benefit of many acres of open space, some undeveloped parcels in Acton are not yet protected … Read more: https://actonconservationtrust.org/growing-the-act-board-of-trustees
Please Scoop the Poop
You hate stepping in it. Fish hate swimming in it. Dogs produce a lot of waste which, if not disposed of properly, can end up in our waterways.
Here’s why: Pick up after your pet. Dispose of pet waste by flushing it down the toilet or putting it in the trash. Never throw pet waste into a storm drain or waterway. Do your “DOODY” to keep our local waters clean: Stormwater may wash pet waste into ponds, streams or coastal waters, either directly or via storm drains. Pet waste contains germs and nutrients that can be harmful to human health and to our waterways and can even cause algae to grow, making the water turn an unpleasant green color. Water with increased bacteria and algae can have serious, and sometimes fatal, consequences when ingested by your dog as well as for all aquatic life.
For more information go to www.ThinkBlueMassachusetts.org
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Sincerely yours,
Susan Mitchell-Hardt
President, Acton Conservation Trust
www.ActonConservationTrust.org