Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
Check out the Milkweed Tussock Caterpillars…they may have orange strips, but they are NOT monarch caterpillars as I expected.
Excerpted from an article written by Joe Biggs for https://bygl.osu.edu/node/440:
“The milkweed tussock moth caterpillars are ravenous feeders and serious competitors to monarchs. All instars feed side-by-side in groups and a single colony can rapidly consume entire leaves leaving only the veins. In fact, high populations can out-devour even the most voracious monarch caterpillar. However, the tussock moths are also native insects; they should enjoy the same natural born rights to milkweeds as monarchs.”
The following events may be of interest:
Now through Sunday, July 28
RiverFest 2024
RiverFest is an annual celebration of our federally protected Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and Scenic Rivers. From guided paddles to interpretive walks, nature and history talks, family-friendly events, and kids’ activities, there is something for everyone! Events are free and open to the public.
RiverFest is presented by the SuAsCo Wild & Scenic River Stewardship Council and local organizations working to protect our rivers. Further information and a full listing of events, including registration details, can be found HERE.
Sunday, July 28
Middlesex Canal Exhibits
Noon to 4 PM
Middlesex Canal Museum, 71 Faulkner Street, North Billerica, MA
SUNDAY, JULY 28
History Paddle
2:00PM
Rt. 20 Boat Launch, Wayland
Travel back in time as you paddle with Brian Donahue, Brandeis University history professor and expert on the Sudbury River. Paddle to Sherman’s Bridge through the wide meadows that prompted the founding of Wayland and Sudbury and hear stories of a fascinating and often contentious past. Meet at the Rte. 20 boat launch in Wayland. Bring your canoe or kayak and life jacket (required). Cars will be available at Sherman’s Bridge Rd. to shuttle you back. For more information: (508)-358-2980.
Sunday, July 28
Open House at the Faulkner Homestead and Jones Tavern
Jones Tavern
1-3 PM
128 Main St., Acton
Faulkner Homestead
3-5 PM
5 High Street
Members of the Nashoba Valley Weavers’ Guild will be on hand to demonstrate weaving, spinning and other textile crafts. Parking is available on site or nearby.
Tuesday, August 6
Climate Café: Travel with Climate Awareness
6:00-7:00pm
Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St, Acton
Many of us need or want to travel, but we are increasingly aware that some forms of travel have a significant climate impact. This Climate Café looks at three elements of this issue. 1) What are the climate costs of travel? 2) Can we reimagine or re-prioritize how we travel? And 3) When we do need to travel long distances, are there sustainability tips to help lessen the CO2 consequences of transportation? We will explore how people, near and far, are addressing these issues with some innovative approaches. Please come and share your thoughts and ideas! More info at EnergizeActon.org or at the Acton Memorial Library.
Sunday, August 18 – through 3rd Sunday of every month – November
Breakfast at Fort Pond Littleton
8 Kaleva Road
8-10:30 AM
For directions CLICK HERE.
kalevalittletonma.org
Menu:
Eggs, Homefries, Bacon or Sausage, Toast
-OR-
Pancakes, Bacon or Sausage
Plus Coffee, OJ, Pulla (Finnish sweet bread)
Adult $12 Child $8
For more information CLICK HERE
Monday, August 19
Full Moon: Sturgeon Full Moon: Supermoon
It 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 and, it’s the first Supermoon of the year! This means that it will appear bigger and brighter than the full Moons we have seen thus far!
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
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sign up to volunteer for Boston Area Gleaners
Gleaning season is upon us and we need YOUR help! Be sure that you are signed up as a volunteer on our website – you will be automatically enrolled to receive weekly email updates when volunteer opportunities pop up. In the meantime, keep an eye on our volunteer opportunity list (or sign up for text message alerts – link below)
Sign up on our website and check out our FAQ to learn more!
JOBS
Post your job openings on thePost your job openings on thePost your job openings on theMLTC self-serve Job Board
NEW! Finance Director – The Nature Conservancy
NEW! Development and Administrative Assistant – Sudbury Valley Trustees
Boston Area Gleaners Are Hiring!
In other news, if you have not already heard, the Gleaners are hiring! We’re looking to fill several roles on our team. Read on to learn more about our openings and how to apply. We are looking to fill several roles on our team! Click the names of the positions below to read the full job descriptions. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to hiring@bostonareagleaners.org.
Now Hiring: Conservation Programs Intern!
MLTC is hiring a part-time intern with an interest in land conservation for the 2024-2025 academic year. The intern will work mostly from home, with occasional travel to MLTC events across Massachusetts. Responsibilities include providing research, technical assistance and logistical support for MLTC’s education programs, as well as maintaining our online resources such as our documents library, video library, service provider directory and grants database. Recent college graduates and graduate students are also welcome to apply. Please forward the following job description to anyone you think may be interested.
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.
https://actonma.gov/623/Camp-Acton
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.
See you on the trails!!
Susan Mitchell-Hardt
President, Acton Conservation Trust
www.ActonConservationTrust.org
P.S. Welcome new “Events of Interest” subscribers! As a non-profit organization focused on conserving land in Acton, we rely upon the support of our members. Visit our ACT website, and click on “Join Us”