Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
The following events may be of interest:
Thursday, June 6
The Lincoln Conservation Coffee (Zoom)
8:30 AM
The Lincoln Conservation Coffee will welcome Lawrence Buell. Buell will talk about his most recent book, “Henry David Thoreau: Thinking Disobediently.” After Buell’s remarks, we will give brief updates on recent conservation projects. Use the direct zoom link here to join the call!
Thursday, June 6
What’s the Buzz on Beekeeping?
6:30—8:00 PM
Join John Hedly from Hedly Honey for an amazing introductory class on beekeeping! Funded by the AML Foundation. AML Meeting Room
Click here to register.
Thursday, June 6
How to Use the Maynard Kayak Rental Station
7:00—8:00 PM
Maynard Library. In person.
Last summer, Maynard installed a Kayak Rental Station at Ice House Landing. It’s the first kayak rental station on the Assabet River, and the first self-serve rental station in Massachusetts. Julia Flanary, Maynard’s Conservation Agent and Assistant Town Planner, will explain how to use the station, including the smartphone app which allows you to pay for and unlock the kayak, paddle, and life preserver from a locker. Learn More.
Fridays, June 7tth 14th and 21st
Nara Park Senior Stroll Acton, Boxboro, Littleton Seniors
10:00 -11:00am
Nara Park, 25 Ledgerock Way, Acton
Come join other seniors from Acton, Boxboro and Littleton Council’s on Aging for conversation, coffee and a stroll around Acton’s Nara Park,
Please meet us at the Sports Pavilion off the upper parking lots located off Quarry Road. To sign up, please call Nursing at 978-929-6650. Registration is required.
Saturday, June 8
Acton Climate Resilience Festival
1-4 PM
Gardner Field, West Acton
Activities for All ages, food, music, Acton Climate Festival
Saturday, June 8
SUDBURY VALLEY TRUSTEES – SNAKES OF NEW ENGLAND AND THE WORLD
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Sudbury Valley Trustees, 18 Wolbach Road, Sudbury MA 01776
Snakes of New England and the World – one hour live animal presentation.
Saturday, June 8
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.
Be prepared for wet conditions underfoot; bring binoculars if you have them. If you have any questions, contact CCF Board member Alan Ankers, “alan.ankers@carlisleconservationfoundation.org” <alan.ankers@CarlisleConservationFoundation.org>
Saturday, June 8
National Trails Day
National Trails Day on the first Saturday in June recognizes all the incredible benefits federal, state and local trails provide for recreation and exposure nature. Events held throughout the United States help promote awareness of the wide variety of services the trails systems offer. The day encourages people to discover their local trials, become active concerning trail issues, and share their excitement for the outdoors.
Visit https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-trails-day-first-saturday-in-june# for more information.
Monday, June 10
Acton 250 Historic House Series: Nathaniel Edwards House
7-8:30 PM
Meeting Room A&B , Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720
The second event in the Acton 250 series “Still Here: Houses of Our Patriots” will be a presentation about the Nathaniel Edwards House, 328 Pope Road. The speaker will be the house’s co-owner, David Hardt, who has done extensive research on this mid-18th century center-chimney building. For more information visit https://freedomsway.org/event/still-here-houses-of-our-patriots/#:~:text=The%20second%20event%20in%20the,at%20the%20Acton%20Memorial%20Library.
Friday June 14
MLTC Conservation Partners Meeting
10:00 am – 12:15 pm,
TTOR’s Doyle Center, 464 Abbott Avenue Leominster MA, and via Zoom
Land trust staff and board members as well as conservation partners are welcome to this quarterly meeting, featuring relevant news from state agencies, a timely update on state and federal policy matters, announcements, and a featured topic. This month, Massachusetts Department of Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Tom O’Shea will talk about progress in establishing Biodiversity Goals for the Commonwealth. Formerly known as “Steering Committee Meetings”, these meetings are convened by MLTC’s Partner Engagement Committee: Kathy Orlando, Chair, Olivia Lukacic, Vice-Chair. To attend via Zoom, register.
Saturday, June 15
PlugIN Tour: Clean Energy Home of the Month – Two Fossil Fuel-Free Homes
Two sessions: 11am and 1pm
West Acton address sent with registration.
Reducing our use of fossil fuels matters for the natural world. This month’s Energize Acton home tour features two neighbors who have disconnected their natural gas lines and now heat and cool fully with electricity, one using air source heat pumps and the other using geothermal. Both homes feature other renewable technologies (e.g. solar and battery storage) PLUS get a bonus light lunch under the new solar canopies on Half Moon Hill. See one house or both. The homeowners are excited to share with you, so please bring your questions. There will be two free sessions, one at 11am and one at 1pm. The address will be sent upon registration. Sponsored by EnergizeActon.org. For info and registration, click HERE.
Sunday, June 16 – 3rd Sunday of every month April-November
Breakfast at Fort Pond Littleton
8 Kaleva Road
8-10:30 AM
For directions CLICK HERE.
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
Friday June 21
Full Strawberry Moon
Rises on the summer Solstice, just after sunset
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.
For more information, visit https://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-june
Thursday, June 20
The June Solstice
In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice (aka summer solstice) occurs when the Sun travels along its northernmost path in the sky. This marks the astronomical start of summer in the northern half of the globe. (In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite: the June solstice marks the astronomical start of winter when the Sun is at its lowest point in the sky.) The timing of the June solstice is not based on a specific calendar date or time; it all depends on when the Sun reaches its northernmost point from the celestial equator. Therefore, the solstice won’t always occur on the same day. Currently, it shifts between June 20, 21, and 22. To learn more visit https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-summer-summer-solstice
Friday, June 21
Summer Solstice Bike Ride
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (rain date June 22);
Pedal Power Bike & Ski, 176 Great Road (Rt. 2A) Acton, MA 01720; Parking available across Great Road.
Contact Tom Michelman: tmichelman@gmail.com
Saturday, June 22nd
June Food Day- – Boston Area Gleaners
4:30pm – 8:30pm
Stonefield Farm (91 Martin St., Acton)
Join Boston Area Gleaners for our 5th annual June Food Day celebration! Our biggest event of the season will feature farm fun for all ages: there will be hay rides, farm tours, a raffle, live music, and complimentary festive beverages. We will also have delicious food for purchase from food truck vendors!
All proceeds from this fundraising event will help to support our programs and further our mission to create an equitable and sustainable food system for our community.
We hope to see you there!
Tuesday, June 25
Summer Plant ID & Natural History Walk, led by Boot Boutwell
10:00am-12:30pm
Elliott Concord River Preserve, Carlisle
Join naturalist Roland “Boot” Boutwell for an informative nature walk of the The Elliott Concord River Preserve in Carlisle, a pretty little riverside conservation area. The walk will focus on plant identification as well as fun and interesting natural history about the plants we see. Register at https://svtprograms.funraise.org/
Thursday, June 27
Bumblebee Project Tours
3:00-4:00PM
Chapman Pasture, Lincoln, MA
Parking: The best way to access Chapman Pasture is via Silver Hill Road. From Weston Road, drive north on Silver Hill Road. The trailhead is across from #50. Just north of the trailhead, there is an area of road that has a wider/flatter shoulder and can accommodate several cars. From the trailhead, walk 1/4 mile over bog bridges to reach the field. We will be in the northern section of the field.
Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT) Staff Bryn and Sara will be at Chapman Pasture to answer questions about this site. The pasture was grazed by sheep for 50+ years. LLCT included the field in the Lincoln Pollinator Action Plan in 2020 and began efforts to restore a native pollination system at the site. Since 2021, LLCT has conducted two prescribed burns on the field. In Fall 2022, LLCT seeded an area of the field with a mix based on Dr. Gegear’s plant list. In Fall 2023 LLCT added plants into a small fenced garden area to the field, as a way to deter deer while plants are getting established. This spring (in May) students will be helping LLCT expand the planted area. The site continues to be a place for LLCT to experiment with the best methods to establish diverse plant populations at a larger scale than the organization’s smaller demonstration gardens. Questions – Email chair.npstf@gmail.com to contact the Native Pollinator Task Force.
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.
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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Two weeks ago Ipswich residents voted 58% in favor of removal of the Ipswich Mills Dam!
The Ipswich Mills Dam, located in downtown Ipswich, was originally constructed to power adjacent mills but currently has no functional use. The Town has been studying the feasibility of removal since 2013 and after amazing community advocacy by our friends at the Ipswich River Watershed Association, residents voted in favor of dam removal! With this vote, the Ipswich Select board will now hold their own binding vote in the next few weeks to determine the future of the dam.
Removing the dam would free the river, opening up over 45 miles of upstream habitat, in addition to restoring the rare freshwater-tidal habitat that the dam currently blocks. Learn more about the project >
Make Way for Duckl…Turtles!
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: “Garden for Climate Resilience”, presented by Trevor Smith of Weston Nurseries
Last month EnergizeActon.org, the Acton Garden Club, and the ActonConservationTrust.org sponsored the talk at Town Hall.
The recording is available at ACT’s YouTube channel. CLICK HERE for the link.
Spongy Moth Caterpillars, formerly known as Gypsy Moth Caterpillars, found in yard on Parker Street.
Over one hundred years ago, spongy moth caterpillars were brought into the U.S. for research as a possible source for silk production. Escapees found a welcoming habitat, and masses of caterpillars have been plaguing our forests and landscapes on and off for over a century. For more information about their “Biology” and “Managing them” visit https://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/whats-bugging-you/spongy-moth
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!
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.
Garlic Mustard Season
It’s garlic mustard season again! Help manage this invasive plant across town by pulling on your own property.
Garlic mustard season runs from April 15th through June 14th.
JOBS
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.
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”