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
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
Sundays, July 31-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.
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
Sunday, August 7
Natural History Walk at Throne Hill, Groton
10AM -Noon
Meet at Throne Hill (at Rockwood Lane trailhead)
As we all spend more time than ever outside, there has been a renewed interest in the forests, wetlands, and other beautiful open spaces throughout town. We’ve heard from many people who are exploring new trails and properties and discovering the incredible wealth of natural places full of plant and animal wildlife. We invite you to join us on an exploration of Groton’s natural areas that takes a deeper dive, where we share insights and knowledge about the changing landscape to help you find an even greater appreciation on your walks on the trails.
Join naturalist and educator Michelle Ruby as she takes you on a tour of the Throne Hill complex, a matrix of properties owned by several conservation organizations. Discover the foundations of former farm houses, various types of stone walls, and signs of the ecology and biology of a forest in transition. Learn how to use the forest itself to estimate how long ago human activities and disturbances occurred. If you’ve previously enjoyed our Black Friday walks with ecologist Tom Wessels, this is the event for you!
Offered in partnership with the Prescott School Community Center.
Current Groton Conservation Trust members may register for free. To receive your discount, submit your information here: https://forms.gle/Kny8R91Cwit9tJDc8
Or you can register for a $10 fee directly through Prescott here: https://prescottscc.org/product/natural-history-walk-at-the-throne-with-ecologist-michelle-ruby/
REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY AUGUST 5
Thursday, August 11
August’s Full Moon aka Sturgeon Moon
It is called the Sturgeon Moon because the giant sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this part of summer. Other names for this Full Moon include “Full Green Corn Moon,” signaling that the corn was nearly ready for harvest, “Wheat Cut Moon,” “Moon When All Things Ripen,” and “Blueberry Moon.”
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.
Sunday, August 28
Breakfast at Fort Pond, Littleton
8 Kaleva Road
Directions at www.kalevalittletonma.org
Saturdays and Sundays
Thoreau Farm is Open for Tours!
11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM
Thoreau Farm, 341 Virginia Road, Concord, MA
Take an inside look at the restored 1730s house listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Wheeler-Minot Farmhouse/Henry David Thoreau Birth House. Locally, it is also known as “Thoreau Farm.” Tour includes the lovingly restored second-floor room where Henry David Thoreau was born in 1817. Visits are by guided tour only. Admission is free. Suggested Donation $5/person.
HIT THE WATER – PICK YOUR PADDLES
The South Bridge Boathouse
Canoe and Kayak Rental service in Concord
496 Main St., Concord, MA
10 AM – one hour before dusk Monday-Friday; Weekends and Holidays: 9 AM to one hour before dusk
Rent a canoe or kayak and explore miles of peaceful waterways on the Assabet, Sudbury and Concord Rivers. A leisurely 1.5 mile paddle to the Old North Bridge is a favorite.
For more information contact 978-369-9438 or visit https://www.southbridgeboathouse.com/
OF INTEREST FROM MASSACHUSETTS LAND TRUST COALITION, July 21, E-Newsletter
Peregrine Falcon Chicks Relocated Successfully
MassWildlife relocated four peregrine falcon chicks from a dangerous nest at a construction site near Boston to a safer new home at UMass Lowell. Biologists banded over 40 peregrine chicks this year as part of continuing conservation efforts. Read more.
What To Do If You See a Bear
As the bear range expands eastward toward the most densely populated communities of Massachusetts, bear sightings are increasing, and many people are asking “How dangerous are bears? Is it normal to see a bear in my neighborhood? What do I do if I encounter one?” Learn what to do.
DRAUGHT UPDATE FROM Lincoln Land Conservation Trust’s Gwyn Loud – JULY 2022 WILDLIFE COLUMN: Summer Flora and Fauna. For more information visit https://lincolnconservation.org/
100% of Massachusetts is experiencing drought right now (from MassRivers).Drought conditions are taking their toll on plant life. To quote the July 8 Landscape Message from UMass, Amherst, “The lack of any substantial and steady rain continues to be a concern for our trees and shrubs. Despite the recent rain, recorded precipitation is well below average levels and this has been the case for the months of March, April, May, and June. Signs of stress are apparent on trees and shrubs with premature leaf drop, leaf discoloration, and flagging. Streams and ponds are low. The drought is just one example of how climate change is impacting our environment.
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.
VOLUNTEERING:
Boston Area Gleaners (BAG)
Thursday, July 28
Harvest squash, cucs and kale
9am-12pm
Concord, MA
6 of 10 volunteer spots filled.
Leader Deb: (if you have specific questions about this trip, email dhicks@bostonareagleaners.org)
Thursday, July 28
Kale and Chard Harvest!
9-12
Ipswich MA
Leader : Christopher. (If you have specific questions about this trip, email cbischoff@bostonareagleaners.org)
Saturday, July 30
We’ll be harvesting mixed veg!
10-1 PM
Sharon, MA
2 of 10 volunteer spots filled
Leader : Deb. (If you have specific questions about this trip, email dhicks@bostonareagleaners.org)
Sign up to volunteer at https://www.bagetc.org/presignup.php?access=public
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!
HELP WANTED:
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
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
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.
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.
Walden Pond in Concord
7 am-7 pm
915 Walden St
walden.pond@state.ma.us 978-369-3254, bridal paths, and 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 the 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.
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”!