Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
The following events may be of interest:
JUST OUT!!! Acton Conservation Trust LAND TRUST NEWSLETTER
Friday, March 1
Silver Unicorn Bookstore to host Ellen Clegg and Dan Kennedy, giants in the field of community news for a discussion of their new book
7:00 pm, at the Silver Unicorn Bookstore, 12 Spruce Street, West Acton
Come learn from giants in the field of community news: The Acton Exchange is collaborating with the Silver Unicorn Bookstore to host Ellen Clegg and Dan Kennedy for a discussion of their new book, “What works in Community News: Media Startups, News Deserts and the Future of the Fourth Estate.” In the words of Gregory L. Moore, former editor of The Denver Post, this book “pulls together in one place innovative approaches from across the country to stave off growing ‘news deserts.’ You can’t help but find this book nourishing if you care about preserving local news—and our democracy.” The discussion will be on Friday, March 1, 7:00 pm, at the Silver Unicorn Bookstore, 12 Spruce Street, West Acton.
Saturday, March 2nd (snow date, March 16th)
Harvard Community Conference
2 – 4 pm
Volunteers Hall, Harvard Public Library
Co-sponsored by Arm in Arm and Harvard’s Climate Initiative Committee
This year’s Harvard Community Conference event, brought to you by a Bromfield student, will focus on stories of climate change seen through the eyes of local residents—farmers, environmental activists, employees in the food industry and others. Their stories will touch upon their personal experience, thoughts, and feelings about climate change.The event is free and open to everyone and includes the many guest speakers.
Among the many guests, one stands out: Marion Stoddart (Ayer Resident). Marion is an activist and community leader best known for her work leading up to the rescue and recovery of the Nashua River in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She later founded the Nashua River Watershed Association.
Come! Gather with us to share these stories and browse the student and community art display. Chat with local community organizations and be surprised by a presentation by 5th grade HES students. Enjoy some beverages, sweets, stories and time with your neighbors.
Sunday, March 3
Join AB PIP STEM for the 25th Annual Skate FUNdraiser
2:30-4:30 PM
Nashoba Valley Olympia Rink #3, Route 111 in Boxborough
Ice skating, refreshments, music, fun at the Nashoba Valley Olympia Rink (rink #3). Suggested donation $20/family, $5/pp. Skating, Music, Refreshments. Learn about AB PIP STEM & community happenings too!
The NEW Acton Nature Guide with updated map of Acton Conservation lands, depicts local wildlife including birds, butterflies, insects, wildflowers, pond life, mammals, trees and invasive plants. It’s a perfect companion to PIP Nature Walks or your own self guided hikes.
ALL proceeds benefit AB PIP STEM, local food pantries, AB energy initiatives, non-profits and charities. All are welcome! Skaters & non-skating supporters! Skate rentals available.
Thursdays, March 7 to April 25
Tribal Forestry: Understanding Current Issues and Challenges
Noon – 12:55 pm (not March 14 and 21)
This series will focus on the current state of tribal forest management and Indigenous stewardship, with speakers from different tribes, universities, non-profits, and agencies. Topics will include: the history of forest stewardship on tribal lands in North America, federal laws and tribal forestry, contemporary uses of plants and wildlife stewardship, fire, conclusions from the Indian Forest Management Assessment (IFMAT), tribal co-management, and the future of tribal forestry in the face of climate change. Free. CEUs available for attending foresters. Co-developed and co-hosted by The Forest School and the Yale Center for Environmental Justice at Yale School of the Environment, and Salish Kootenai College. Learn more and register.
Wednesday, March 6th
Volunteer to build habitat for Wood Turtles
10:00-3:00 PM
Veteran’s Field, 655 Main St, Acton, MA 01720
The Acton Conservation Division and Zoo New England are looking for 10 volunteers to join us to help build habitat for the native Wood Turtle.
We will be building habitat behind Veteran’s Field and will involve picking up trash, moving large pieces of wood, and clearing invasive species.
If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up using this link.
Please email the Acton Conservation Division with any questions: ibergemann@actonma.gov
Remember to bring the following:
Work gloves
Bring water & extra water + snacks (stay hydrated)
Wear appropriate clothes (these clothes may get dirty)
Wear appropriate shoes i.e water shoes/old sneaker
A pair of waders if you’d like to be in the water
Be prepared to walk on uneven/sloped terrain
Thursday, March 7
Call for Community Planning Process Volunteers – Paid Role
MVP 2.0 Call for Community Members Post. The Town of Acton is looking for up to 5 community members to join a climate resilience planning process! Volunteers will receive a stipend of $2,400 in three installments. Read on
Sunday, March 10
Blight: Author Emily Monosson in Conversation with Brent Ranalli
2 PM
$10 to attend at Thoreau Farm Register
$5 to attend online Register
A prescient warning about the mysterious and deadly world of fungi—and how to avert further loss across species, including our own. Presented by The Write Connection at Thoreau Farm. On-site book sales support The Shop at Walden Pond.
Learn more about our Programs
Sunday, March 10 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS STARTS
Saturday, March 16
PlugIN Tour: March Clean Energy Home of the Month – Solar Panels and Batteries
Two sessions: 10:30am and 2:30pm
West Acton address sent with registration
In March, EnergizeActon.org’s PlugIN campaign focuses on the theory and the practice of solar energy. Home solar panels are a great way to decrease fossil fuel use and save money on electricity. The hosts of this tour go above and beyond with a fascinating solar battery storage system that complements their ground mount solar panels, meaning that they barely draw electricity from the grid. This home is both unique and inspiring. Other homeowners at the tour will share their experiences with more traditional solar systems. The hosts—and their colleagues—are eager to answer your questions. For information and to register, click HERE.
Saturday, March 16
PlugIN Talk: – Home Solar: The Time is NOW!
7:00-8:00pm, zoom
As part of Energize Acton’s six month “PlugIN ” series on how our energy use matters for the health of our planet, in March we will look at the promise of solar energy. Sam Kooharian, Energy Advisor for EnergySage will give a quick overview of solar power and discuss why now is a great time for home solar installation, including helpful aspects of the solar market, great financial incentives, and potential future changes that make the present an optimal moment for solar. Also, for renters and condo owners, as well as those with homes not suitable for solar, Sam will touch on community solar efforts and why these developments are essential. Finally, three Acton residents will give brief testimonials about their experiences with solar. Questions welcome! Sponsored by EnergizeActon.org. For information and registration, click HERE.
Sunday, March 17
Acton Conservation Trust Annual Meeting: Snakes of New England and the World – Live Animal Presentation
1:00-3:00 pm
Acton Town Hall, Faulkner Room 204, 472 Main St., Acton
1:00 PM Business Meeting
1:20 PM Presentation of Carol Holley Conservation Award to John Watlington, Land Steward Committee member
1:30-2:30 pm Guest Speaker: Rick Roth, Rick the Snakeman of Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team
Do you wonder what kind of snakes might be living in the woods near your house? Have you ever caught a glimpse of a snake just as it disappeared into some shrubs and wished for a closer look? 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. (From CAVPT website) Fourteen species of snake are native to New England, and Rick will speak to preserving habitat and land and the important role snakes play in our ecosystem.
John Watlington has been the land steward for the 180 acre Great Hill Conservation Land since 2014. He kept the several miles of trails there maintained and clean. Currently, he is Steward at Large, working where needed in all Acton conservation lands. As a member of the Land Steward Committee, he gives monthly talks about invasive plant species, sharing his experiences with keeping invasive plant growth under control. He is also a sawyer, keeping the trails cleared of downed trees following storms. That’s been a lot of work this year!
This program is free for all and perfect for families with children aged 5 and older. Please register here.
Thursday, March 21
Movie Nights Return – Screening Bat Man of Mexico, sponsored by Lincoln Land Conservation Trust
7pm
In-person at LLCT’s Offices (145 Lincoln Rd, Suite 102A, above the post office)
LLCT is pleased to host a movie night to welcome spring and to continue our focus on both pollinator health and the importance of dark skies for wildlife.
In this 50-minute PBS episode, ecologist Rodrigo Medellin tracks the lesser long-nosed bat’s migration across Mexico. These bats are crucial pollinators of agave plants, which are a critical crop in the tequila industry.
Free, all are welcome. LLCT will provide light refreshments.
Saturday, March 23
Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference
8:15-4:30 PM
UMass Amherst, Campus Center, 1 Campus Center
Featuring a keynote address by Dr. Darren Ranco, citizen of the Penobscot Nation, Professor of Anthropology, Chair of Native American Programs, and Faculty Fellow at the Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions at the University of Maine. His talk will reflect perspectives from his work with the Wabanaki Commission on Land and Stewardship, which you can learn more about here.
Register | Schedule | Descriptions | Conference Portal
Wednesday, March 27
BCTrust’s Annual Meeting: “Beaver Management in the 21st Century: A New Ecological and Economic Paradigm”
7 PM
Sargent Memorial Library, 427 Mass Ave., Boxborough
Keynote speaker, Skip Lisle, President and Founder of Beaver Deceivers, LLC, speaking on “Beaver Management in the 21st Century: A New Ecological and Economic Paradigm”
Skip is traveling from Beaver Deceivers, LLC headquarters in Grafton, Vermont for this very timely and important presentation. Learn more about Skip’s work at Beaverdeceivers.com.
Join us for light refreshments – socializing will start at 7:00pm. BCTrust will conduct its Annual Meeting at 7:30pm, and the keynote speaker will start at 7:45pm. Free and open to the public!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Every March or April
Watch for amphibians on the road
This spring, be mindful of amphibians as they emerge from their winter retreats and travel to breeding sites. Use caution while driving on rainy spring nights. For more information visit https://www.mass.gov/news/watch-for-amphibians-on-the-road
Amphibian Crossing Brigade Handbook – February 2023
To learn more, including “How to organize your own crossing brigade” – click here.
Walden Pond:
StoryWalk® Adventures – Enjoy a Story, Fresh Air and Exercise! Just follow the trail and visit the laminated pages of the book posted along the route. A wonderful story is just ahead waiting for you
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Sincerely,
Susan Mitchell-Hardt
President, Acton Conservation Trust
www.ActonConservationTrust.org