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
Sundays, July 24-October 16
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, July 24, August 28
Breakfast at Fort Pond, Littleton
8 Kaleva Road
Directions at www.kalevalittletonma.org
Sunday, July 24
Hosmer House, Jenks Library and Barn will all be open
1-4:30 PM
Postcard exhibit in West Gallery; items from the Nagog Inn and Robbins family in the Hosmer Dining room. See the many improvements in the grounds.
Tuesday, July 26
Town of Acton Land Stewardship Committee Meeting
7 PM, Hybrid (Zoom or Town Hall Room 9)
Learn about this wonderful Town Committee, invasive plants, maintenance of your favorite conservation lands, and Upcoming Events: Click on Land Stewardship Committee for more information.
Wednesday, July 27
Walking Tour of Ice House Pond
10-11 AM
Ice House Pond (meet at 120 Concord Road, Acton
Join Bettina Abe, Natural Resources Assistant with the Town of Acton, as she takes participants on a walking tour of Ice House Pond. Learn more about the pond’s history as an ice harvester and enjoy the walking trails by the pond/Nashoba Brook. On this tour we will learn about the park’s history and ecology. Walks are approximately 45 – 60 min. and are a little over 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 our online calendar, https://actonmemoriallibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/2022-july/
Wednesday, July 27,
Acton Businesses “Act On” Climate: Climate Café – Sponsored by EnergizeActon.org.
10-11am
541 Massachusetts Ave, Acton (VillageWorks picnic tables)
Julie Pierce Onos, Development Director for Acton, and Sustainability Director, Andrea Becerra, will be on hand to share new sustainability incentives for Acton businesses and to recognize the folks who are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the business sector. Please join us for a look at this important sector of the Acton community. If possible, please bring a lawn chair.
Wednesday, July 27, 2022,
GET COOL with Heat Pumps!
Climate Café Afterhours – Sponsored by EnergizeActon.org.
4:45pm-6:00pm
VillageWorks Picnic Tables, 541 Massachusetts Ave, Acton (Please bring a lawn chair!)
This is our late day version of the Climate Café for working folks. Join Mike Simons of ABODE Energy Management to get an energetic overview of this energy source. Heat pumps are the future of clean energy, and if you heat with oil (especially if you do not have air conditioning), heat pumps can be a really economical solution for getting comfortable cooling and heating. Hear the latest on improved incentives and rebates. And don’t forget that the Town’s contract with ABODE means that you can get free consultations about clean energy solutions for your home or business. Click HERE for the consultation link. For more information contact ClimateCafe@actonclimatecoalition.org or go to EnergizeActon.org/events.
Saturday, July 30
Native New England Shrubs
9:30-noon
Wells Reserve at Laudholm, 342 Laudholm Farm Road, Wells, ME
What is woody, short, and typically multi-stemmed? A shrub! Shrubs are an important part of the New England landscape and lots of fun to learn about. We will take a close-up look at nine or ten native New England shrubs, plus a few non-native invasives . We will focus on key identification characteristics and also learn about the natural history and lore of our subjects. Included in our study will be a shrub whose fruits were used to make candles, a shrub whose berries Yankee sea captains brought on long sea voyages to help prevent scurvy, and a shrub whose flowers have been used as a remedy for craziness.
Presenter, Roland “Boot” Boutwell is a freelance itinerant naturalist who taught the core course in “Native New England Shrubs” and lead field trips for the New England Wild Flower Society for nearly 20 years and was a part time teacher/naturalist for the Massachusetts Audubon Society. He teaches nature programs and leads nature walks for a number of other organizations including: Arlington, MA Community Education; Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester, MA, The Winchester, MA public schools; The Friends of the Middlesex Fells (Greater Boston) and numerous other organizations. His hobbies include photography, acting in community theater, and the guitar.
RESERVATIONS required; To reserve your space, please email suzanne@wellsnerr.org or call (207) 646-1555 x116.
• Members: $10.00 • Non-Members: $13.00
Thursday, August 4
Tower Hill – Free Admission to the Garden on first Thursday of each summer month
10 am to 8 pm
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
Enjoy FREE ADMISSION to the Garden on the first Thursday of each summer month! Soak up the sun exploring our beautiful trails and gardens during our daytime hours, or unwind in the evening with live music and local brews from our outdoor Beer Garden. Please note we anticipate a high volume of visitors on these days. Therefore, the admission is first-come-first-serve basis. You can get tickets in person at the Garden or reserve your tickets online in advance to secure your preferred date.
Visit https://nebg.org/free-first-thursdays/ to learn about Things to Do During the Day and During the Evening
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.
VOLUNTEERING:
Boston Area Gleaners (BAG)
Saturday, July 23
Bok Choi Harvest!
8am-11am
Saturday, July 23
Radishes and Tatsoi Harvest
9am-12pm
Sharon, MA
Saturday, July 23
Packing Mixed Produce Boxes
9am-12pm
Acton, MA
Saturday, July 23
Green Bean Harvest
1:30pm-3:30pm
Acton, MA
Sign up to volunteer at https://www.bagetc.org/presignup.php?access=public
For specific questions email group leader, Deb: dhicks@bostonareagleaners.org
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:
Boston Area Gleaners (BAG)
Seasonal Apprentices – July – November; $15/hour, full-time July-November
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
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.
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.
UPDATES FROM LAND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS:
CPA UPDATE from Community Preservation Coalition Executive Director, Stuart Saginor FY23 State Budget Approved: $20M Included for CPA Trust Fund For more information visit visit www.communitypreservation.org. For more information on what’s coming next in the State Budget process, click here to read the full article on the Coalition website.
ACTION ALERT FROM MASS RIVERS – July 22, 2022100% of Massachusetts is experiencing drought right now. Yesterday, the state released a new drought status a new drought status a new drought status declaring all corners of Massachusetts in some level of drought, after a summer of hot temperatures and low precipitation (with more hot & dry condition forecasted).
Despite this declaration, many towns DO NOT require water conservation during drought. So even when ecosystems are suffering from low water levels, sprinklers in many towns are allowed to keep running. Visit Mass Rivers Alliance for more information.
Action Alert! State Legislature to Invest in Nature – from Mass Audubon Policy and Advocacy
On Thursday, July 14, the Massachusetts House of Representatives took an extraordinary step when it passed a sweeping “Economic Development” bill that contains $300 million in investments in open space, recreation, ecological restoration, and climate adaptation out of available federal COVID relief funds.
Mass Audubon supporters like you have been pushing for these investments for over a year, including by participating in a successful “Beacon Hill Lobby Day” in June, and the House has responded!
We are not done yet! We need your voice once again, first by thanking your State Representative for supporting these investments.
Then, tell your State Senator to keep the investments in nature and climate in the bill.
The State Senate is expected to take up this fast-moving legislation next week, and send it to the Governor’s desk by the end of the month. We do not yet know where the Senate stands on the proposed investments in nature and climate, and it’s important they hear from all of us before next week.
Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition (MLTC) JULY 21, 2022
Farms Under Threat 2040: Choosing an Abundant Future
American Farmland Trust has released “Farms Under Threat 2040: Choosing an Abundant Future“, which models scenarios for how farmland could best be preserved across the country. The report shows that, due to sprawling cities, climate change, energy development and remote work, the U.S. is on track to convert more than 18 million acres of farmland and ranchland — an area the size of South Carolina — from 2016 to 2040. This threatens land that grows food, jeopardizing the nation’s food security and the environment. Read the report. Explore interactive maps.
Celebrate Plastic Free July
Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics? Join the challenge today!
Click here for small swaps you can make to start down the plastic free path.
Self-Guided Tour of Dragonflies at the Carlisle Cranberry Bog
Begin at the Cranberry Bog House on Curve Street, Carlisle, MA
Walden Pond in Concord
7 am-7 pm
915 Walden St.walden.pond@state.ma.us; 978-369-3254hs, bridal paths,a nd 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 he 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.
Good Pickin’ Farm
5 Gould Road, Westford
Where Growing Minds and Nature Connect Visit the farm, https://www.goodpickinfarm.com/scheduling.
Experiential fun and learning through farming, arts and recreation and pony rides!
For more information call 425 306 7203, email: hello@goodpicikinfarm.com
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”!