Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
The following events may be of interest:
Sunday, June 30
AB FARMERS MARKET
10am- 1pm
Elm Street Playground, Acton
Free yoga classes weekly as well as a SNAP match for EBT card holders. Sign up for our newsletter to see which vendors, artisans, community groups, performers and supporters are scheduled each week! https://abfarmersmarket.org/newsletter-signup/
Our website has the latest updates: abfarmersmarket.org
Sunday, June 30
Native Plants on Littleton’s Library Campus
3:00-4:00PM
Littleton Library
The Littleton Library completed a a new stand alone building in November 2021 and was required to plant native plants on its campus due to it’s vicinity to wetlands. Dr. Rob Gegear was recommended by our town conservation agent to advise on plant selection. Since then, a number of efforts have taken place to manage the land for healthy pollination systems with an additional focus on at-risk bumblebee species. Join Erin Jade, lead volunteer for the project, as she explains the complexities of managing these intricate systems.
Wednesday July 3
Summer Concert with the Concord Band: Independence Day Patriotic Program
Gates open at 5 PM; Concerts begin at 7:15 PM
Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard, Mass.
Independence Day Patriotic Program
REGISTER HERE
For more information email Fruitlands Museum, or call 978.456.3924 x5
Saturday, July 6 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.
Saturday, July 7
Dragonflies at the Bog, sponsored by Carlisle Conservation Foundation
10 a.m. – noon
Meet at the Cranberry Bog House on Curve Street, Carlisle
(CCF – Alan Ankers)
Learn about the jewels of the insect world as we walk the trails of the Cranberry Bog for dragonflies and damselflies (collectively known as “odes”). We’ll also check out butterflies and anything else interesting that we come across.
Tuesday, July 9
Climate Café: Electric Vehicle “Petting Zoo”
6:00-7:00pm
Acton Memorial Library Parking Lot, 486 Main St, Acton
Are you thinking about an EV? Come meet local Electric Vehicle drivers, check out their EVs, and ask all your questions. No need to register; just stop by the library. We hope to have EVs from Tesla, Chevy, Kia, Subaru, Hyundai, and more, including electric bicycles. (Do you have an EV you would like to display? Please come participate!) Also, the Acton Sustainability Office will highlight a few Town EVs. Join in the fun and pick up some resources. Sponsored by EnergizeActon.org and the Acton Memorial Library.
Wednesday, July 10
Scenic 2–3 hour paddle with OARS 3 Rivers and get a taste of our 3 Wild & Scenic designated rivers
4:30PM
Enjoy a leisurely scenic 2–3 hour paddle with OARS 3 Rivers and get a taste of our 3 Wild & Scenic designated rivers. Come alone, or bring your whole family. Take photos at many scenic spots, such as the North Bridge, several old stone bridges dating to the 1800’s, Dove Rock, Egg Rock, and more. Meet some of OARS 3 Rivers staff and board members. Bring your own paddle craft and life jacket (required), or rent from South Bridge Boathouse ($5 discount/boat). This paddle is for a wide range of paddlers — go at your own pace up to 5 miles. Details will be sent to registered participants. For more information: office@oars3rivers.org. Pre-registration is required.
Wednesday, July 10
Summer Concert with the Concord Band – Disney Movie Music and Video Game Music
Gates open at 5 PM; Concerts begin at 7:15 PM
Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard, Mass.
Independence Day Patriotic Program
REGISTER HERE
For more information email Fruitlands Museum, or call 978.456.3924 x5
Friday, July 12
Stroll Heard Farm Conservation Area, Wayland with photographer Hendrik Broekman
6:00PM
Parking lot at the end of Heard Rd. off Pelham Island Rd
Join Wayland photographer Hendrik Broekman for a stroll around the 86 acre Heard Farm Conservation Area. Woods, open fields, wetlands, over 200 species of birds, and the Sudbury River shoreline make Heard Farm a remarkable place with over three miles of trails, many of them old cart paths. Hendrik will provide tips for successful photography with your camera/phone. All ages and abilities are welcome. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Heard Rd. off Pelham Island Rd. Questions: (508)-358-2980.Pre-registration appreciated. Registration for this event opens Saturday, June 29, 2024. Please check back then to register!
Wednesday, July 17
Climate Café: A Celebration of Plant Based Foods
6:00-8:00pm
NARA Park Pavilions, 25 Ledge Rock Way, Acton
EnergizeActon.org is back with a second annual community potluck picnic to highlight the importance (and amazing flavor!) of plant-based meals. We all share one thing that can have a significant impact on climate change: the food we eat. Eating more plant-based food is an immediate and DELICIOUS way to put less CO2 into the atmosphere. Bring your favorite vegetarian/vegan dish or a simple bowl of fruit; all contributions are welcome. But also bring a copy of your recipe and, if you like, your favorite plant-based cookbook to share for the evening. For more info and to register, click HERE. This aims to be a low waste event.
Wednesday, July 17
Summer Concert with the Concord Band – Music from John Williams and John Philip Sousa
Gates open at 5 PM; Concerts begin at 7:15 PM
Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard, Mass.
Music from John Williams and John Philip Sousa
REGISTER HERE
For more information, email Fruitlands Museum, or call 978.456.3924 x5
Sunday, July 21 – through 3rd Sunday of every month – November
Breakfast at Fort Pond Littleton
8 Kaleva Road
8-10:30 AM
Directions to Knights & Ladies of Kaleva
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 visit https://kalevalittletonma.org/fabulous-food-events
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Full Buck Moon
The full Moon in July is called the Buck Moon because the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full-growth mode at this time. Bucks shed and regrow their antlers each year, producing a larger and more impressive set as the years go by.
For more information, visit https://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-july
Wednesday, July 24
Summer Concert with the Concord Band – Retrospective Concert
Gates open at 5 PM; Concerts begin at 7:15 PM
Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard, Mass.
Music from John Williams and John Philip Sousa
REGISTER HERE
For more information email Fruitlands Museum, or call 978.456.3924 x5
Friday, July 26
Guided Walk of Brewsters Woods
9:00AM
Brewsters Woods, Concord
Join Renata Pomponi, Senior Director of Mass Audubon, for a guided walk of their newest sanctuary, Brewster’s Woods. This historic property along the Concord River was once the home of William Brewster, a noted ornithologist and Mass Audubon’s first president. Learn about the history of the property as a place of inspiration and connection to nature during a 1.2-mile roundtrip journey along the Fisher Trail, an all persons accessible trail, looking for wildlife and passing through a diversity of field, forest, and wetland habitats. Pre-registration required. RSVP here.
Registration for this event opens Thursday, July 11, 2024. Please check back then to register!
Sunday, July 27
Wright Woods, Concord
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
This event will be free and open to all, with a limit of 15 participants.
Registration will open on Friday, July 12.
As part of this annual celebration of the three rivers, Rachel Wheeler and John Myers will lead a guided loop walk in Wright Woods beginning at the Fairhaven Bay Overlook and exploring the trails along Well Meadow and the Sudbury River. This 300 acre woodland is located between Fairhaven Bay and Walden Pond. In addition to appreciating local flora and beaver activity, participants will learn about the history of the property, the stone terraces and boathouse, and the family that loved and preserved these woods.
Walk Guide Bios: Rachel Wheeler is the great-niece of Helen Robinson Wright, who began donating parcels of land within Wright Woods in 1959 and was instrumental in the creation of the Concord Land Conservation Trust. Rachel and her husband John Myers continue to live on the property at Staples Camp. They intimately know the woods and shores of Wright Woods. To walk and experience this remarkable place with them will be a unique treat.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
June 3, Mass Audubon Opened All Persons Trail (Fisher Trail) at Brewster’s Woods, Concord
Balls Hill Road from Monument Street. Proceed straiaght for 0.4 miles. Turn L when you reach a set of 3 mailboxes (#165/203/221) turn L into
Mass Audubon’s driveway. Park in the trailhead parking lot on the left after the welcome booth. Follow the signs to the Fisher Trail at end of P lot.
Click HERE for directions. This accessible trail winds and weaves through woods, meadows, and wetlands, ending at the Concord River. This addition ensures people using wheelchairs or strollers, and folks with mobility challenges, can better and more safely enjoy the outdoors.
Article:
June Wildlife Column by Gwyn Loud for the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust. Visit https://lincolnconservation.org/
Make Way for Duckl…Turtles! Shepherd a turtle to safety!!!
In mid-May turtles get more active trying to find a mate and food. They often cross the road to see what’s on the other side. So be on the lookout and slow down when driving near wetlands and places you’ve seen turtles before. Learn more.
RECORDING AVAILABLE:
“Presentation about the Nathaniel Edwards House,” aka Spring Hill Farm, 328 Pope Road., mid-18th century center-chimney building, by the house’s co-owner, Prof. David Hardt, who has done extensive research on this. The recording is available HERE. Passcode: 2#P^HKNQ
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”