Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
The following news and events may be of interest:
(If you prefer, you may also 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, June 4 (rescheduled from May 28)
Three Sisters, Many Hands – a Native American Celebration
2-3:30 PM
Caouette-Simeone Conservation Land in South Acton
Please join the Friends of Pine Hawk for a Native American celebration! Quiet Storm and Strong Bear Medicine of the Nashobah Praying Indians, Massachusetts Nation, will be joined by shaman Red Medicine to perform a Three Sisters Planting ceremony. Attendance is limited and registration is required: https://tinyurl.com/3SistersActon.
The planting ceremony will include Native singing, dancing, ceremony, music, and storytelling, all revolving around the planting of a traditional Native Three Sisters Garden: beans, corn and squash.
The Nashobah Praying Indians, who are indigenous to this area, traditionally lived at their Chief Tahattawan’s primary village at Fort Pond in Littleton. They became one of 14 Praying Indian Plantations in 1654, in what is now Littleton, and part of Acton, Boxborough, and Littleton community. There is limited parking at the site, but ample free parking in the three nearby MBTA station parking lots, with overflow parking at the Jones Field Playground.
Presented by Friends of Pine Hawk, with special thanks for their support to Boston Area Gleaners at Stonefield Farm, Acton Conservation Trust, and Sudbury Valley Trustees.
Wednesdays, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29…..
Wednesday, June 8
Climate Cafe: Second Topic – Cooling with Heat Pumps
10-11 AM
Twin Seafood Picnic Tables, 541 Massachusetts Ave., Acton
Would you like to reduce your carbon footprint? The Climate Cafe is a fun and informal gathering where Acton residents can discuss a fossil fuel free future. The idea is to provide a forum where people who have experience in certain areas can share their insights and where folks looking to make changes can ask questions about the process. Each week will be a different focus, with a range of technical and environmental topics. Bring a beverage from the Acton Coffee Shop and meet us at the picnic tables. This event is sponsored by EnergizeActon.org. For more information contact ClimateCafe@ActonClimateCoalition.org.
Wednesday, June 8
Monarch Butterflies
7-8:30 PM Webinar over Zoom
Elke Jahns-Harms returns to share her fabulous photos and stories of monarchs. Elke and her husband Garth have gotten to know these magical creatures well while raising and releasing over a hundred butterflies. What makes the butterflies so special? How can we help them? In this zoom webinar, Elke will discuss facts about monarchs and share stories and photos from their experiences. Register now, https://www.svtweb.org/node/10999/register
Saturday, June 11
Acton Climate Festival
Noon to 3 PM
NARA Park Amphitheater
Celebrate the finalized Climate Action Plan with this free festival including live music, games for kids of all ages, food, and lots of information about sustainability from local organizations and vendors. Contact the Sustainability Office for the Town Acton (sustainability@acton-ma.gov or 978-929-6611) if you need a ride or if your organization/business would like to have a table at the event.
Tuesday, June 14
Full Strawberry Moon
It will reach peak illumination at 7:52 AM Eastern Time, but will not be visible until 2:40 PM EDT (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
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
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.
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.
Thursday, June 23
The Littleton/Chelmsford Native Pollinator Conservation Tour
4-6 PM
Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street AND Cloverdale Conservation Area, a63 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 JuneThe 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
VOLUNTEERING:
Boston Area Gleaners
Friday, June 3
First Glean of the Season!
1-3:30 PM, Lettuce harvest
It might be rainy, but the lettuce we’re harvesting will appreciate the conditions.
Stonefield Farm, Acton, MA
For specific questions email group leader, Christopher, cbischoff@bostonareagleaners.org)
Sign up to volunteer at https://www.bagetc.org/gleanlist.php
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!
Monday, June 6
Packing produce boxes
1-4 PM
Stonefield Farm, Acton, MA
For specific questions email group leader, Christopher, cbischoff@bostonareagleaners.org)
Sign up to volunteer at https://www.bagetc.org/gleanlist.php
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
I found a baby bird!! What should I do?
Give it a boost or leave it alone? When we see a baby songbird outside the nest, it’s not always easy to know how we should respond. And while a baby bird may look like it needs help, most of the time intervening may actually do more harm than good. https://www.massaudubon.org/learn/nature-wildlife/birds/baby-birds-out-of-the-nest/found-a-baby-bird-chart
Check the chart that will show you exactly what you should do based on what you observe about the baby and its surroundings. With it, you can be sure you’re doing only what nature needs and giving the birds you love their very best chance to thrive.Read our primer when to take action for songbirds. When in doubt, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
CHECK THE CHART
NEWS:
UPDATE ON HARVARD CONSERVATION TRUST’S, SVT’S AND THE COMMUNITY HARVEST PROJECT (CHP’S) EFFORTS TO PROTECT PROSPECT HILL COMMUNITY ORCHARD IN HARVARD.
This orchard adjoins the Prospect Hill and Dean’s Hill Conservation Lands (Town of Harvard) and Fruitlands (Trustees of the Reservations) and Oxbow National WIldlife Refuge (US Fish and Wildlife Service). Their goal is to raise funds toward securing a perpetual Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) on this 70 acre property next to Fruitlands. Visit https://www.svtweb.org/news/prospect-hill-community-orchard-protect-harvest to learn more and about what you can do.
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. Attached below is Pollinator Habitat Resources document and “Gardening for Native Pollinators” from the Native Pollinator Task Force, (NPTF)
If you missed the Boxborough Conservation Trust’s Annual Meeting Talk on 3/29/22 by Dr. Doug Tallamy, author of several best-selling books (Nature’s Best Hope, Bringing Nature Home, The Nature of Oaks), and professor of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. He cofounded the “Homegrown National Park”, a network of citizens dedicated to planting natives and regenerating biodiversity at home, one yard at a time. View his complete talk here! (Passcode: 2Xaq%K@J)
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 instruction.
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”!