Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
The following events may be of interest:
Monday, January 22
Basics of Birding
7:00-8:00pm
Online presentation
Join SVT’s Mike Perrin, birding enthusiast, as he shares tips and tricks geared towards beginning birdwatchers. There will be time for questions following the presentation. Register at https://svtprograms.funraise.org
Thursday January 25
January’s full Wolf Moon reaches peak illumination at 2:54 p.m. Eastern Time
Look for the Moon to rise from the northeastern horizon around sunset.
It’s thought that January’s full Moon came to be known as the Wolf Moon because wolves were more likely to be heard howling at this time. It was traditionally believed that wolves howled due to hunger during winter, but we know today that wolves howl for different reasons. Howling and other wolf vocalizations are generally used to define territory, locate pack members, reinforce social bonds and coordinate hunting. For more information, visit https://www.farmersalmanac.com/january-full-wolf-moon
This new Moon in Capricorn allows us to lay the groundwork for our visions to become true during the next twelve months. It is a potent time to usher in change, insights, and clarity. From the Yoga Journal, https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/astrology/new-moon-in-capricorn-january-2024/
Thursday, January 25
Full Moon Tours at deCordova
deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Road, Lincoln
Bring your family and friends to see sculptures transformed by the moonlight in this special after-hours tour.
Small group tours with deCordova’s experienced Museum Guides last 60-75 minutes. Please dress for the weather with sturdy footwear. Bring a flashlight or lantern.
Visitors should park in the main lot and meet their Museum Guide in front of the Museum. Questions about accessibility? Please contact Cindy at cclark@thetrustees.org For more information, https://thetrustees.org/event/85804/
Thursday, January 25
Fireside Chat with Bat Expert about Bats 101, sponsored by Lincoln Land Conservation Trust
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Join LLCT and Dr. Chris Richardson. Richardson will give a “Bats 101” presentation. After the basics, Richardson will dive into his research on bat metabolism, thermoregulation, immune function, and hormone function. Since 2012 he has focused on white-nose syndrome in bats.
He is a visiting researcher at Boston University and Biology Instructor at Lesley University. He is also a major collaborator at the Mt. Auburn Cemetery Urban Ecology Research and Education Project. Through this project, he leads a bat sampling project on the diversity and activity of bat species.This will be a free, virtual program. Register here to receive the zoom meeting link.
Thursdays, January 25 to April 25
Tribal Forestry: Understanding Current Issues and Challenges
Noon – 12:55 p.m. (not March 14 and 21)
This series will focus on the current state of tribal forest management and Indigenous stewardship, with speakers from different tribes, universities, non-profits, and agencies. Topics will include: the history of forest stewardship on tribal lands in North America, federal laws and tribal forestry, contemporary uses of plants and wildlife stewardship, fire, conclusions from the Indian Forest Management Assessment (IFMAT), tribal co-management, and the future of tribal forestry in the face of climate change. Free. CEUs available for attending foresters. Co-developed and co-hosted by The Forest School and the Yale Center for Environmental Justice at Yale School of the Environment, and Salish Kootenai College. Learn more and register.
Saturday, January 27
Boston Area Gleaners End of Season Celebration
4-6 PM
First Parish, Bedford, MA
Join us in celebrating a successful 2023 season! Our volunteers, farm partners and food access partners helped us distribute 4.5 million pounds of produce last year…we think that’s an incredible reason to celebrate!
We will be gathering at The First Parish in Bedford on Saturday, January 27th for a night of good food (potluck style, beverages will be provided) and even better company. Plus, there will be volunteer recognition awards and gleaner-themed games.
We hope to share our thanks and celebrate the 2023 season achievements with you!
RSVP at https://www.bagetc.org/presignup.php?access=select&gleantemp=3439
Saturday, Jan 27,
Boxborough Winterfest
1:00 p.m. EST
Steele Farm
484 Middle Road, Boxborough, MA 01719
Join us for Sledding, Hot Cocoa, Fat Rooster Food Truck, Two Friends Chocolate, True West And A Bonfire With Neighbors And Friends!
Sponsored by Boxborough Recreation Commission
Tues., January 30
A Midwinter Nature Walk at Yapp Conservation Land, Littleton
10:00am-12:15pm
Yapp Conservation Land, Littleton
Join naturalist Roland “Boot” Boutwell for an informative nature walk as we learn to identify evergreens, deciduous trees and shrubs, and perhaps an occasional winter weed, those hardy non-woody plants which are sturdy enough to remain erect well into or even through winter. The walk will focus on plant ID as well as fun and interesting natural history, tales, and legends about the plants we see. And remember . . . there is no bad weather; only improper clothing! Register at SVT https://svtprograms.funraise.org
Saturday, February 3rd
Winter Fairyland
1-3pm
Lincoln Station, 145 Lincoln Rd
Free, all are invited to participate. Drop-in anytime between 1-3. Donations will be gratefully accepted to help cover event costs. Many thanks to the enthusiastic local retailers participating in the day’s activities. More details about participants coming soon!
In preparation for Winter Fairyland, Nature Linc is hosting a Fairy House Building Workshop for families on January 27th from 1-3pm. Let your imagination run wild as you create an enchanting home for our tiny friends that will be displayed at Lincoln Station on February 3rd. Registration required. Suggested donation of $15/house to cover materials. Learn more here.
Tuesday, February 6th
The Traveling Tales of an Elusive Species on Martha’s Vineyard: The Spotted Turtle
7-8pm on Zoom
Join LLCT and Liz Olson to learn about spotted turtles. Liz and her team have been tracking and tagging these reptiles since 2020. Tune in to hear some of Liz’s stories from the field. After her presentation there will be plenty of time for questions.
Liz Olson is a Wildlife Biologist and Assistant Director and co-founder of BiodiversityWorks, a nonprofit on Martha’s Vineyard focused on wildlife research and monitoring. She received her undergraduate degree in wildlife management from the University of New Hampshire and her MS in Conservation Biology from Antioch New England University. Liz has studied a variety of species during her 20 year career including piping plovers, river otters, northern long-eared bats, black racer snakes and spotted turtles.
This is a free, zoom program. Please register here in advance to receive the meeting link.
Tuesday, February 13
Know Your Land: Understanding Conservation Restrictions and Chapter 61
7:30-8:30 PM
Zoom webinar
Are you interested in learning about how you can protect your land with a Conservation Restriction or how to save money on property taxes with Chapter 61? This Zoom event features Ben Urquhart from Harvard’s Conservation Trust who will speak about Conservation Restrictions and Harald Scheid, Harvard’s Town Assessor, who’ll speak about Chapter 61. Registration required: click here.
Thursdays, Feb. 22 and 29
Making Land Available for Farming
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
These two webinars are intended to help farmland owners and their representatives explore motivations, strategies, and mechanics for making any amount of land available to a farmer Learn more and register.
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Volunteer:
Boston Area Gleaners
*Volunteer opportunities have dwindled down given the time of year, so you can expect there to be fewer trip alert emails as the winter progresses. You can always keep an eye on our website for volunteering updates in the meantime.
*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.
Announcements:
Wednesday, January 3, the Healey-Driscoll Administration released its Forests as Climate Solutions Report Report of the Climate Forestry Committee: Recommendations for Climate Oriented Forest Management Guidelines The report aims to inform development of climate-oriented management guidelines for state forest land to help achieve goals of the 2050 Clean Energy and Climate Plan.
January 2024
Energize Action: Survey: Help Create a Healthier Community and Shape Our Climate Actions
Anytime via this LINK
Be part of the solution on climate in 2024! Share your thoughts in the Creating Healthier Communities Together survey to make our community healthier and more climate resilient. EnergizeActon.org is reaching out to you with this request as part of our new ECO (Electrification, Community, & Outreach) Campaign. Together with MassEnergize.org and our partner communities—Wayland, Framingham, and Natick—we need your input to guide upcoming climate actions to create a healthier and more carbon neutral future. The survey takes less than 5 minutes. Your voice matters! Thank you. For more information go to EnergizeActon.org events.
Coyotes in the Winter from January 2024 Wildlife Column: Snow at Last! written by Gwyn Loud for the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust. To read the rest of the column click here.
Coyotes are being reported from many parts of town, which is not surprising because late January to early March is their breeding season, when they are more active. Will Leona, Lincoln’s Land Steward/Ranger, writes as follows: “There has been a bit of an uptick in coyote sightings being reported. Especially around farm fields or areas where food sources or rodents are readily available. We’ve had several calls from concerned residents who fear being in such close proximity to the coyotes. We have been trying to help people understand that this is typical behavior of coyotes as they are looking for whatever food sources are still present and as they have been expanding more in suburban areas. Hikers should be loud and bold, announcing their presence and not running from the coyotes. Dogs should be put on leash at that point as well. We spoke to Mass Wildlife and the Environmental police, who both urge residents to check out the website resources on coyotes or call Mass Wildlife headquarters to speak with a wildlife biologist if they need further clarification.”
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Sincerely,
Susan Mitchell-Hardt
President, Acton Conservation Trust
www.ActonConservationTrust.org