Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
- The big excitement this week was from last Sunday’s ACT Annual Meeting where a sizable fraction of our audience of about 100 children and adults took advantage of our Speaker’s invitation to gently hold one of the many friendly snakes he and his volunteers from the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team brought from Gloucester.
- For the next couple days the testimonials kept coming in. An Officer of ACT volunteered that before this event, he found snakes off-putting. Now he’s looking forward to attending another so he can hold one!!
- To read more about the program and see pictures visit ActonConservationTrust.org.
- In addition we introduced our newest land Protection Project, Saving Wetherbee Woods and Acton’s Agricultural Gateway
Last week I posted a photo of a young skunk cabbage before the spathe, maroon hoodlike leaf, had matured enough to reveal the spadix, the fleshy spike of many petal-less flowers.
Take a look now. Visit www.gardeningknowhow.com to learn more.
The following events may be of interest:
Sunday, March 24, 2024
The Full Worm Moon
From Farmers Almanac
The first full moon of the spring season will appear on the nights of Sunday, March 24, and Monday, March 25. Specifically, March’s full Worm Moon reaches peak illumination at 3:00 A.M. ET on Monday, March 25, 2024.
March’s full Moon goes by the name Worm Moon. For many years, we thought this name referred to the earthworms that appear as the soil warms in spring. This invites robins and other birds to feed—a true sign of spring!
However, more research revealed another explanation. In the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver visited the Naudowessie (Dakota) and other Native American tribes and wrote that the name Worm Moon refers to a different sort of “worm”—beetle larvae—which begin to emerge from the thawing bark of trees and other winter hideouts at this time.
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!
Wednesday, March 27
On Belonging Outdoors Speaker Series: Doug Sutherland will present
7 PM
Zoom www.onbelongingoutdoors.org.
Doug is a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Consultant who brings his experience as a Summer Camp professional to his work. Since his first camping trip in 1987, he has introduced countless students to the outdoors. Doug will share his experiences as a Black person in rural New Hampshire, where “belonging” is an assumption for some and unattainable for others. Learn more about the series and watch recordings of past presentations at www.onbelongingoutdoors.org.
Wednesday, March 27
Found Baby Wildlife Presentation
7:00-8:00pm
Online Presentation
“I found baby wildlife….now what?!”
This educational presentation by Massachusetts state wildlife rehabilitator Ashley Makridakis offers comprehensive guidance on what to do when finding baby wildlife. Topics such as a species’ natural history, true orphan red flags and effective reuniting strategies will be discussed. The focus will be to help the general public to know if, when and how to help…and to avoid accidentally kidnapping.
https://svtprograms.funraise.org
Wednesday, March 27
Middlesex Conservation District Bumblebee Project Presentation
3:00 – 4:30 PM
J. V. Fletcher Library
50 Main St, Westford, MA 01886
Join Giancarla Kalpas, MCA’s Bumblebee Project Steering Committee Member, to hear about conserving native pollination systems by providing the specific habitats required by at-risk pollinators–and to reduce the threats to those pollinators. You will learn about Giancarla’s success stories and leave knowing that what we plant makes a difference in fighting extinction. This work is based on the research and recommendations of Dr. Robert Gegear, Professor at UMass Dartmouth and founder of The Beecology Project. You can find more information about his research on his website: https://gegearlab.weebly.com https://gegearlab.weebly.com and at the Bumblebee Project webpage. Bumblebee Project webpage.
Thursday, March 28, 2024 (sunset 7:08 pm) Rain Date: March 29, 2024 (sunset 7:09 pm)
Woodcock Watch
6:45-8:00 pm
Acton or Boxborough
Al Sgroi, Acton Conservation Trust member and local birder, with pictures and other information will guide us through the courtship ritual of the American Woodcock. Please register here and the meeting location will be sent to you a few days before the event. The location will be in Acton or Boxborough, dependent upon woodcock activity. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, a chair for sitting and your binoculars, if you have them. Dress for ticks and spray for mosquitos. Warm layers with sturdy shoes are advised. We will be walking a short distance, then sitting while the sun sets and dusk falls. For questions, contact Jody Harris at jharris.actonconservationtrust@gmail.com.
Tuesday, March 29
Acton Town Elections
RJ Grey Jr. High School Gymnasium, 16 Charter Road
Polls open 7 AM to 8 PM
Additional election information can be found on the Elections & Voting Page
Saturday March 30
Vernal Pool Storytime with Linda Booth Sweeney
10:30-11:30 AM
Co-hosted by the Lincoln Public Library, Lincoln Conservation Department, and LLCT. Join author Linda Booth Sweeney for a reading of “The Noisy Puddle” and some kid-friendly activities at the library.
More details coming soon!
Sunday, April 7
Community Solar Forum
9 AM
Breakfast starts Congregation Beth Elohim, 133 Prospect Street, Acton
Speakers include State Senator Jamie Eldridge and more. For more information visit the Congregation Beth Elohim website, https://www.bethelohim.org/event/breakfast-solar-forum
Monday, April 8
Solar Eclipse
Shortly after 2 – about 4:30 PM EDT
The Moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun, creating a total solar eclipse. The Moon’s shadow, about 115 miles wide, will sweep a narrow path through North America, blocking the Sun in its entirety and turning day into night. If you want to know about Safety, How to Prepare, Science, the Eclipse and NASA, visit https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/
From cbsnews.com/boston/news/total-solar-eclipse-april-8-2024-best-places-to-view-massachusetts-new-hampshire-vermont-maine/ In Boston, the partial eclipse will begin at 2:16 p.m. and end at 4:39 p.m. with maximum (about 93%) occurring at 3:29 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17
OARS Wild & Scenic Film Festival
7-9:30 pm
Maynard Fine Arts Theaters
https://www.oars3rivers.org/event/2024/apr/16th-annual-wild-scenic%C2%AE-film-festival
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Senator Eldridge, Representative Cataldo, and Representative Sena announce MDAR grants to food and insecurity non-profit at historic Stonefield Farm in Acton. Boston Area Gleaners are thrilled to be awarded two grants totaling $850,000 which will be used to purchase a refrigerated trailer to expand their storage and distribution capacity. The other $750,000 grant will be used to further support their efforts to support our farm and food access partners.
Webinar Recording – Stop Private Jet Expansion at Hanscom
On March 6th, 2024 the Coalition to Stop Private Jet Expansion (co-sponsored by the Concord-Carlisle League) and the greater public came together to learn more about the latest updates to the expansion plans at Hanscom Field and our campaign to stop it. Watch the webinar recording here! https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/
Acton Water District’s 2024 Rain Barrel Program Order Deadline: April 29th by 5:00 PM
How to Purchase Your Rain Barrel: Rain barrels are available for purchase by residents at the discounted price of $89. The first 40 barrels sold are offered at $50 (an additional $39 discount) with coupon code AWD24.
How to Order: Go to https://www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/
Select ‘Massachusetts’ then ’Acton’
Pick-Up: Thursday, May 9th 2:00-6:00 pm at the Acton Water District, 693 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton
Concord Land Conservation Trust (CLCT) is Hiring!
Attention nature enthusiasts and conservationists! We’re excited to announce that we are hiring for a new permanent, full-time Stewardship Coordinator and a seasonal, part-time Stewardship Intern. If you are passionate about caring for our natural resources and the sustainable management of our protected lands, this could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for!
Stewardship Coordinator
Come be a part of our wonderful Land Trust community as we embark on an exciting time of growth during our 65th year! With more than 1,300 acres of land under our care, we are looking for a passionate individual who shares our commitment to stewarding and managing our land and natural areas for the benefit of current and future generations.For the job description and instructions on how to apply, click here.
Priority applications should be received by April 22, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after then.
Seasonal Stewardship Intern
Join us for an unforgettable summer as the CLCT Seasonal Stewardship Intern!
From June to August, you’ll be immersed in nature while assisting in the management of Land Trust properties and engaging with our awesome community of volunteers.
For the job description and instructions on how to apply, click here.
Priority applications should be received by April 8, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis following then.
The latest policy & advocacy news from Mass Audubon March 2024
Speak Up in Support of Responsible Solar Siting
The Clean Energy Infrastructure Siting & Permitting Commission is seeking public input as it works to eliminate barriers to siting solar and other renewable energy projects. We’re pushing for rapid clean energy deployment that will minimize impacts to natural and working lands. Want to help us push for responsible clean energy siting? Submit a public comment through March 15 to make your voice heard! Mass Audubon submitted comments as part of the state’s review of its Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program. With the goal of increasing solar energy without sacrificing forests and other natural and working lands, our recommendations include stronger incentives for canopy systems and low-impact ground-mount systems, along with eliminating eligibility for ground-mount projects on lands with high carbon and biodiversity value.
Strengthening Federal Protections Against Rodenticides
We’ve joined 75 other organizations in supporting stronger federal measures to reduce the environmental and public health threats posed by rodenticides. We urged the EPA to avoid impacts to endangered and threatened species, and encouraged them to take steps to reduce unintended poisonings through changes to pesticide labels. Join Climate and Nature Champions to get involved in local campaigns to reduce the use of rodenticides in your town or city!
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