Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
The following news and events may be of interest:
Thursday, July 28-August 13
Riverfest 2023
To view all the events, visit https://www.sudbury-assabet-concord.org/riverfest-2023.php
Come, Connect, and Experience your local wild and scenic rivers! A Riverfest Summer!
Enjoy free hikes, paddles, walks, music, and family fun all summer long in this annual celebration of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and Scenic River. Explore all the rivers have to offer, just west of Boston!
Saturday, July 29
Summer Wildflowers
9:30-12
Wells Reserve at Laudholm, 342 Laudholm Farm Road, Wells, ME
Come and explore mid-summer blooming wildflowers with “Boot” Boutwell. The reserve has seven miles of trails through a rich variety of habitats, but we won’t have to walk very far to see a host of flowers in bloom, as well as several plants in fruit. We will enjoy their beauty, learn some basic identification characteristics, and also learn some wildflower natural history and lore as we stroll through the meadows and wet meadows of the Reserve.
Please note: Program fee does not include site admission fee.
RESERVATIONS required: To reserve your space, please email suzanne@wellsnerr.org or call (207) 646-1555 x116.• Members: $10.00 Non-Members: $13.00
Saturday, July 29
Adult First Aid + CPR
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m
Stewardship Training Center, Plymouth, MA
Staff and volunteers of land conservation organizations are invited to register for this first aid and CPR training that conforms to American Heart Association guidelines. Participants will receive certification cards valid for 2 years. Course provided by Certified Rescue Courses. Learn more and register. Published in eNews, July 2023, Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition
Sunday, July 30
Acton-Boxborough Farmers Market – October 15
Elm Street Playground, West Acton
10 AM – 1 PM
Join us for our 15th season of promoting good food and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Visit http://www.abfarmersmarket.org for more information.
Monday, July 31 (Registration deadline) Forum date: August 14 – 17 (Monday – Thursday)
13th Annual Tribal Lands and Environment Forum
Online and in person (Syracuse, NY)
Hosted by the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP), this forum for environmental professionals from Tribes, USEPA, State/Local/Federal agencies, community organizations, and other interested parties will meet to share knowledge and learn from one another how to improve management, protection, and restoration of Tribal lands. Agenda. Learn more. Register.
Tuesday, August 1
The Full Sturgeon Moon followed by a full Blue Moon on Wednesday, August 30.
August’s full Moon was traditionally called the Sturgeon Moon because the giant sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this part of summer.
What Is a Sturgeon?
These prehistoric-looking fish have been traced back to around 136 million years ago and many people call them “living fossils.”
Females require around 20 years to start reproducing, and they can only reproduce every 4 years. However, they can live up to 150 years!
Today, there are about 29 species worldwide, including the lake sturgeon found in the Great Lakes. They have evolved in size from the size of a bass to monster sturgeon as big as a Volkswagen.
The lake sturgeon is quite rare today, due to intense overfishing in the 19th century, pollution, and damage to their habitat.
Females require around 20 years to start reproducing, and they can only reproduce every 4 years. However, they can live up to 150 years! This information is taken from https://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-august
Wednesday, August 2
Energize Acton Climate Café – State and Federal Incentives for Green Technology
5:00-6:00 pm
Acton Memorial Library Outdoors, 486 Main St., Acton
There are HUGE opportunities now to save money on clean energy technologies, but all the programs and requirements can be confusing. Energize Acton will present a clear outline of what is available now from the state and the federal government, what is in the pipeline, who is eligible, and how to layer savings by technology. Part of the summer Climate Café series, co-sponsored by the Acton Memorial Library. For more info, go to EnergizeActon.org
Wednesday, August 9
Energize Acton Climate Café – A Celebration of Plant-Based Food!
6:00-8:00 pm
NARA Park Pavilion, 25 Ledge Rock Way, Acton
This is the event we are truly anticipating! No statistics, no large expenses! Instead, this is a celebration of our land and the amazing world of plants. Eating more plant-based meals is something that all of us can do to help reduce the intensity of climate change. So please prepare your favorite plant-based dish and join the potluck party at the NARA Park Pavilion. (Please note the venue and time change.) If you need menu ideas, the library has a cookbook at the Reference Desk called River Cottage VEG with great recipe suggestions. Need more inspiration? Kitchen Outfitters is selling The Gaining Ground Table, a wonderful local cookbook with yummy vegetarian recipes. Or bring your vegetarian favorite. Besides your food contribution, please bring two copies of your recipe. We look forward to seeing you for good conversation and delicious food! For more info, go to EnergizeActon.org
Sunday, August 20
Acton-Boxborough Farmer’s Market – October 15
Elm Street Playground, West Acton
10 AM – 1 PM
Come visit the Acton Conservation Trust at the Farmer’s Market Community Table!!
Join ABFM for our 15th season of promoting good food and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Visit http://www.abfarmersmarket.org for more information
Climate Cafe Schedule for August
Aug. 16, 23, 30: Topics to be announced
Saturday & Sunday, September 9 & 10
Wilderness First Aid
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Stewardship Training Center, Plymouth, MA
Accidents happen. People get hurt, sick, or lost. The temperature drops, the wind picks up, and it starts to rain. Would you know what to do? Wildlands will host SOLO Wilderness Medical School to teach a course on Wilderness First Aid. Learn more and registerPublished in eNews, July 2023, Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition
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NEWS:
White House Climate Resilience Fact Sheet
This fact sheet outlines what the Biden-Harris administration has put into place to enhance climate resilience. Published in eNews, July 2023, Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Sign up to volunteer at BAG, https://www.bagetc.org/gleanlist.php
Friday, 7/28/23
Green bean glean! (Try saying that 5xs fast!)
8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Acton, MA
4 of 12 volunteer spots filled, Leader : Emily. (If you have specific questions about this trip, email elarson@bostonareagleaners.org)
Friday, 7/28/23
It’s cuke and zuke season! Join us with your long sleeves!
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Leominster, MA
4 of 6 volunteer spots filled, Leader : Deb. (If you have specific questions about this trip, email dhicks@bostonareagleaners.org)
Friday, 7/28/23
Orange you excited to sort some rescued mandarins?! Sign up here!
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Acton, MA
0 of 6 volunteer spots filled, Leader : Christopher. (If you have specific questions about this trip, email cbischoff@bostonareagleaners.org)
Saturday, 7/29/23
Join us to harvest scallions, lettuce, greens, and more!
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Weston, MA
5 of 12 volunteer spots filled, Leader : Emily. (If you have specific questions about this trip, email elarson@bostonareagleaners.org)
*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.
*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!
Walden Pond in Concord
7 am-7 pm
915 Walden St.
walden.pond@state.ma.us; 978-369-3254, bridal paths, and farm roads.
Boat ramp Sunday – Saturday: 5 AM – 7 PM.
Parking: MA resident $8; Non-MA resident: $30
Annual and senior passes NOT sold in park, click here to purchase an annual pass, click here to purchase a senior pass.
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”!