Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
ACT Trustees welcomed ACT Members and many new Acton residents and children to our ACT Table at the ActOn Climate Festival, last Sunday at NARA Park. We were delighted to market ACT to new residents, to hand out our new brochures and flyers explaining how protecting land, unfragmented habitats, farms, forests and grasslands mitigate climate change. Thank you Sustainability Director, Andrea Becerra for coordinating this fun and important event!
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
Tuesday, June 14
Full Strawberry Moon
(It will not be visible until later in the evening when it drifts above the horizon)
The moon will be the second supermoon of 2022! The full Moon will appear big and bright this month as long as we enjoy dark and clear night skies. The name, Strawberry Moon has been used by Algonquin, Objibwe, Dakota, and Lakota peoples, among others to mark the ripening of “June-bearing” strawberries that are ready to be gathered. – from The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Wednesday, June 15
14th Wild and Scenic Film Festival, presenting Currents of Hope
Maynard Fine Arts Theater Place, 19 Summer St., Maynard
The Wild and Scenic Film Festival, inspires environmental activism and a love for nature through film. Join us in Maynard or watch the event live streamed online for an evening filled with inspiration, nature and adventure! Local emcee EJ Labb will be hosting and tighter will be some terrific raffle prizes. Tickets start at $15/person and must be purchased online at www.oars3rivers.org.
Wednesday, June 15
Snakes of New England – Live-Animal Program
2-3 pm
Sponsored by Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department/in-person at Brooks Gymnasium, 6 Ballfield Road, Lincoln
After-school fun for all! This is a free program and all are welcome. Donations will be gratefully accepted from those who are able to contribute. Have you ever caught a glimpse of a snake just as it disappeared and wished you’d gotten a better look? Now’s your chance to see snakes up close!d Rick Roth, local snake expert and Director of Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team, will bring his favorite snakes to Lincoln to talk about the incredible reptiles. No registration required.
Wednesday, June 15
Climate Café: “What Will It Take to Reach Acton’s Climate Goals?”
10-11 AM, (Wednesdays through July except July 6th)
VillageWorks/Twin Seafood Picnic Tables, 541 Massachusetts Ave, Acton
As the Town works toward finalizing a Climate Action Plan, we will discuss the greenhouse gas reduction goals named in the 2020 Climate Emergency Declaration, which called on Town government, civic organizations, businesses, and residents “to commit to a climate mobilization.” What kinds of actions are necessary to reach the 2030 targets? Please bring your beverage and share your thoughts! Fran Cummings, VP of the Peregrine Energy Group, will start the discussion. This event is sponsored by EnergizeActon.
Wednesday, June 15
Solar Power 101
Virtual Event, Register HERE
As we approach the summer solstice, let’s celebrate the power of renewable energy! Join us to get an overview of solar generators and storage, along with the different options to consider naqd update on the state and federal incentives to go solar. Or panel will include an Acton homeowner, a spokesperson for an Acton organization that has installed solar, and a representative of Energy Sage, the solar market place that provides trained advisors who help connect consumers with vetted solar installers. Register HERE or go to EnergizeActon.org/events for more information. This event is sponsored by EnergizeActon.org, dedicated to addressing the climate emergency through education and action to reach net-zero emissions.
Saturday June 18 and Sunday June 19
23rd RiverFest 2022!
Hosted by the Wild and Scenic River Stewardship Council (RSC)
Saturday, June 18
Wild and Noble Sites: A Walk to Egg Rock, Concord
1-3 PM
Simon Willard Woods, parking is near the end of Simon Willard Road in Concord. Limited to 15 participants. Event Registration is FULL.
Join Dr. Amity Wilczek, an evolutionary ecologist, and Richard Smith, an historian, for a walk through Simon Willard Woods and along the Assabet River to Egg Rock, where the confluence of the Assabet and Sudbury Rivers from the Concord River. Along the way they will explore the ecological and historical importance of the area and discuss the changes that occurred over the last 400 years. Henry David Thoreau was a frequent visitor to the rivers. Traveling by both land and water, he was always on the lookout for “Wild and noble sites…such as they who sit in parlors never dream of.” Register at https://www.sudbury-assabet-concord.org/riverfest-2022/wild-and-noble-sites-a-walk-to-egg-rock
Sundays, June 19 – October 16
Acton-Boxborough Farmer’s Market Season begins
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.
Tuesday, June 21
Summer Solstice
5:14 AM EDT
In 2022, the June solstice occurs on Tuesday, June 21, marking the astronomical first day of summer—and the longest day of the year. Learn fun facts and folklore about the summer solstice at 7 Facts About the June Solstice | The Old Farmer’s Almanac
Tuesday, June 21
Summer Solstice Bike Ride
6 PM
Meet at Pedal Power, 176 Great Road
Bike or walk on the trail and rendezvous back at Pedal Power between 7:30 and 8:00 PM. Parking available across the street – stay for pizza afterward. Contact tmichelman@gmail.com
Tuesday, June 21
Lincoln Green Energy presents a solar energy program to celebrate the solstice!
Noon
On Zoom
Learn about rooftop solar, net metering, battery storage backup, and federal and state incentive programs. Free and open to all. Great Sky Solar will be participating and answering questions, Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kdO2pqTgsGtYErlfUpxEqRsxvr6Fk1Qn3
Thursday, June 23
The Littleton/Chelmsford Native Pollinator Conservation Tour
4-6 PM
Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street AND Cloverdale Conservation Area, 63 Great Road, Littleton Parking is ample on site. Open to the public.
The Native Pollinator Garden is located around the library and was planted in 2021. An adjacent meadow area of approximately ¼ acre was also seeded in the fall 2021. Over 35 species were included, with 25 of them from Dr. Gegear’s list to provide a seasonal availability of pollen and nectar for the at risk bumblebees. Plantings, especially in the adjacent meadow area, will be an ongoing effort that will include the library, schools, garden club, scouts and other volunteers. Information will be available on sources of plants and seed.
6-8 PM
Sunny Meadow Farm Native Pollination Preservation Garden, 168 Robin Hill Rd., Chelmsford
The Pollination Preservation Garden at Sunny Meadow Farm, a town owned property, was planted in May 2021. The area of the original garden was about 1,250 sq. ft. Over the summer of 2021 more land was added, the area has doubled to 2,500 sq. ft. The garden contains over 40 species of plants from Dr. Gegear’s list for pollinators at risk, providing nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. Within a year from the first planting, Bombus fervidus, Golden Northern Bumble Bee, has been seen visiting Lupinus perennis, wild lupine. The garden has been the destination for elementary classrooms field trips, Boys Scouts events, and is a learning opportunity for town residents who visit the farm. The Native Pollinator Task Force (NPTF) of the Metrowest Conservation Alliance (MCA) is hosting Native Pollinator Conservation Tours in Lincoln, Chelmsford, Littleton and Sudbury during June. The Littleton/Chelmsford date is 6/23. The tours are designed to demonstrate how MCA members, NPTF Ambassadors and others can design and install their own Pollination Preservation Gardens public displays. The tours are also appropriate for anyone interested in learning about the plant-pollinator connection and why it is so critical. For more information, visit their website https://www.svtweb.org/mca-native-pollinator-task-force or the garden tour details at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R4GjOLmrbTwVEA-LM2Rh7g1Z5i9Y7-Q4ZLz_ARjNaBQ/edit
Saturday June 25
Household Hazardous Waste Day
9-11:30 AM
DPW Garage located at 14 Forest Road
CHECK For more information, visit
https://www.acton-ma.gov/141/Hazardous-Waste#:~:text=The%20Town%20of%20Acton%20holds,at%20978%2D929%2D6632.
Note: These collection services are for Acton residents only and proof of residency will be required.
Sunday, June 26
Breakfast at Fort Pond, Littleton
8 Kaleva Road
8-10:30 AM
Directions at www.Kalevalittleton.org
Saturday, July 16
Weed Warrior Training in Littleton
9-11 AM
Browns’s Woods, Littleton, MA
Join Dominic Portelli, SVT AmeriCorps Member, and Amy Green, Littleton Conservation Agent, at Browns’ Woods in Littleton for this Weed Warrior training. The primary focus will be learning to identify and pull Burning Bush, but you will also be introduced to other common invasives on the property and how to manage them like bittersweet, multiflora rose, and barberry. You can register at https://www.svtweb.org/calendar/weed-warrior-training-littleton
Birding at Stonefield Farm
If you are interested in birding at the farm either on your own or as part of a group, please contact BAG’s Duck Caldwell for more information at duck@bostonareagleaners.org.
From BAG’s June Newsletter
On May 14th, a bird survey walk at Stonefield Farm identified 38 species in 3 hours (knowing full well that we missed some!). Some highlights included: a pair of Wood Ducks, a pair of Belted Kingfisher, 4 Eastern BlueBirds, and 1 Northern Waterthrush. We were just thrilled to see and hear these birds, many of which are migratory species.
THANK YOU BAG! The Gleaners have also installed 13 nest boxes on the property for local birds this spring. Staff member Duck Caldwell is observing these boxes as part of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s NestWatch program—a nationwide monitoring program to track bird population health. Two of the species we’ve identified in the boxes, House Wrens and Tree Swallows, are considered by the Lab to be species in decline due to habitat loss. Through monitoring and protecting habitat, we are glad to be doing our part to support these birds
VIDEO RECORDINGS of Past Webinars which may be of interest:
Sustainable Trail Building – webinar sponsored by Concord Conservation Land Trust
Trail Construction Workshop, Part I: Building and Maintenance Fundamentals with Matt Moore
Learn about the tools and techniques for constructing sustainable trails with Matt Moore, manager for Professional AMC Crews. Matt also provides an overview of the project plans for bench cutting a new trail and brushing in an eroded legacy trail in Wright Woods. Click on this YouTube video https://youtu.be/JzDEariON7o
Join Russ Cohen, foraging expert and author of “Wild Plants I have Known and Eaten”, on a ramble in and around Greenways Conservation Area to learn about at least 18 species of edible plants. The video of Russ Cohen’s informative webinar on native plants now can be watched on Newton Conservators’ YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/4iqw6fi6okY
No Till Gardening & Cover Crops, video recording April 5, 2022 (organized by the Lincoln Garden Club & Lincoln Agricultural Commission)
VOLUNTEERING:
Boston Area Gleaners
Wednesday, June 15
Strawberry Harvest!
9am – Noon
Lincoln, MA
Wednesday, June 15
Lettuce Harvest
9:30 am-11:30 am
Ipswich, MA
Wednesday, June 15
Kale and Turnip Harvest
1 PM – 4 PM
Wayland, MA
Wednesday, June 15
Root Veggie Wash
3:30 PM – 5 PM
Acton, MA
Thursday, June 16
Lettuce Mix and Kale Mix Harvest
9 AM-Noon
Stow, MA
Saturday, June 18
Produce Box Pack
9 AM-Noon
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!
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.
Help Fireflies, Just By Observing Them!
Mass Audubon
If sitting back watching fireflies on a balmy summer night sounds like heaven to you, you’re going to love this opportunity to contribute to research that could help them. Fireflies are some of the coolest insects around, lighting up the night with flashes of bioluminescence: a chemical reaction in their lower abdomen that produces their telltale glow. But did you know that only a few species of fireflies glow? Or that these dazzling beetles face several threats including habitat loss, pesticide use, and other environmental factors?
To determine their geographic distribution and what factors impact their abundance, Mass Audubon has teamed up with scientists at Tufts University to track the fate of these brilliant insects—and you can help. The best part: You can do it anywhere! Interested? Join Firefly Watch at https://www.massaudubon.org/get-involved/community-science/firefly-watch
If you missed “Creating Pollinator Habitat in Maynard” the recording is on this link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ffbc1glyorgud1i/GMT20220510-230314_Recording_1920x1080.mp4?dl=0
Sponsored by Maynard Community Gardeners. Also check these links:
and “Gardening for Native Pollinators” from the Native Pollinator Task Force (NPTF)
Environmental Voter Project (EVP)
EVP’s mission is to identify inactive environmentalists and transform them into consistent voters to build the power of the environmental movement. They estimate that over 8 million environmentalists did not vote in the 2020 presidential election and over 12 million skipped the 2018 midterms. EVP is a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on a simple high leverage solution to the problem: with a 6 year track record of success, they’re accurately identifying these non-voting environmentalists and efficiently converting them into a critical mass of consistent voters that will soon be too big for politicians to ignore. To learn more about them visit https://www.environmentalvoter.org/about and to get involved, visit https://www.environmentalvoter.org/get-involved
Goat Hikes – Good Pickin’ Farm
5 Gould Road, Westford
Goat Hikes. $65/group up to 8 people. Informative nature hike led by an ecologist, focusing on different flora or fauna of the area that is seasonal. Have fun while the goats walk and run along with you and enjoy their silly antics! For more information call 425 306 7203, hello@goodpicikinfarm.comhello@goodpickinfarm.comhello@goodpickinfarm.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”!