Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
The following events may be of interest:
Celebrate Endangered Species Day on May 17
Support MassWildlife in recognizing the 432 plants and animals that are listed on the Massachusetts Endangered Species List. Each species plays an important role in keeping the Commonwealth’s natural communities thriving. MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) focuses on conserving rare species and their habitats throughout Massachusetts.Learn how you can support rare species.
Saturday, May 18
Spring Archaeology Walk
Noon-2 PM in North Acton
Local archaeologist Kimberley Connors will lead a two-mile hike focusing on Native American features along the Trail Though Time in North Acton. Registrants will receive an email with details a few days before the walk. Limited to the first 20 people to sign up, ages 15 and up. (Rain Date, Sunday, May 19, noon-2PM).
Register HERE to walk.
Wednesday, May 18
2024 Lincoln Conservation Trust’s (LLCT) 5th Annual Pollinator Plant Sale
10am-11am: LLCT Members*
11am-1pm: Open to the Public
Lincoln Station, 145 Lincoln Rd, Lincoln MA
Launched as part of LLCT’s effort to restore native pollination systems in Lincoln, the pollinator plant sale is a way to help our community access native plants at a reasonable cost and plant them in their own gardens, expanding Lincoln’s “pollinator pathway” through town and beyond.
This year’s plant sale will be in-person only (no pre-orders). Join us on May 18th at Cash, card, check, and Venmo accepted. Plants available on a first come, first served basis.
*All are welcome to join or renew their membership when they check out at the sale. Not sure if you’re a current member? Just email us and we can let you know.
Sunday, May 19
Vernal Pool Exploration, sponsored by Harvard Conservation Trust
12 – 2pm EDT Choose one session 12 PM or 1 PM
Barba’s Point Trails Park at the Bromfield School and we’ll meet at the trailhead near the tennis courts.
Join biologist Bob Douglas for an exploration of vernal pools! Discover how this essential ecosystem, brimming with flora and fauna comes to life each year at this time. This event is appropriate for most school age children and inquisitive preschoolers with their caregivers. Viewing sleds and nets will be provided, and families are welcome to bring their own. We encourage you to pack a snack and finish the hike to the end of the Barba’s Point Peninsula to take in the beautiful views of Bare Hill Pond.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vernal-pool-exploration-tickets-894323394347
Dress appropriately for the weather. Waterproof footwear or good walking shoes will work.
Monday, May 20
Conservation Options Workshop
7:00-8:00pm
Online Presentation
Do you want to learn more about how to protect your land for generations to come? SVT Land Protection Specialist, Tony Scibelli, will discuss the many conservation options available in Massachusetts to permanently protect our landscape and ensure the biodiversity of our rich and varied environment. Register at https://svtprograms.funraise.org/
Wednesday, May 22
Lecture on Wetlands of Acton
7:00 PM
Acton Memorial Library.
Acton’s Land Stewardship Coordinator will be hosting a lecture at the Acton Memorial Library. If you are interested in attending please sign up here. If you have any questions about these events please reach out to Ian Bergemann, Land Stewardship Coordinator, at ibergemann@actonma.gov or by phone 978-929-6634.
Wednesdays, May 22 -June 5
I Hiked Acton’s Trails Challenge
2:30 pm-4:00 pm
Location sent out the Sunday before each hike.
Walk (or wheelchair) trails in Acton’s conservation areas with the goal of earning a sticker and a sew-on patch! This weekly set of walks is a joint effort between Acton Conservation Department and Acton Conservation Trust. We hope to complete 9 of 22 conservation land walks and may continue the challenge next fall.
All ages are welcome!, Register for one hike or all nine! All children must be accompanied by an adult.
REGISTER HERE! For more information or questions, please contact Jody Harris at jharris.actonconservationtrust@gmail.com or Ian Bergemann at ibergemann@acton-ma.gov
Thursday, May 23
Full Flower Moon, https://www.almanac.com/full-moon-may
May’s full Flower Moon reaches peak illumination at 9:53 A.M. (EDT) on Thursday, May 23. It will be below the horizon at this time, so plan to venture outdoors on the nights of the 22nd and the 23rd to get the best view of the bright, full Flower Moon! Find a location with unobstructed views of the horizon, if possible. See what time the moon will be visible in your area with our Moonrise and Moonset Calculator. Why Is It Called the Flower Moon?The full moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from a number of places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not solely to the full Moon. May’s Moon names tend to speak to the arrival of spring and all that it entails!
Thursday, May 23
Late Spring Nature Walk
10:00am-12:30pm
George and Lucy Yapp Conservation Land, Littleton
This 53 acre property is believed to have been part of the 17th century Nipmuc Praying Indian Village known as Nashobah. Join naturalist Roland “Boot” Boutwell for an informative nature walk as we search for late spring wildflowers and other cool plants. The walk will focus on plant ID as well as fun and interesting natural history, plus tales and legends about the plants we see. Register at https://svtprograms.funraise.org/
Friday, May 24
Acton Center Walking Tours Led by Amy Cole
1:50 PM (Rain date, Saturday, May 25th)
Meet Amy at the Acton Memorial Library parking lot
The walk is free, but registration is needed and capped at 20 attendees per walk. Registration link:: https://tinyurl.com/ACWTMAY24.
Tour leader Amy Cole grew up near Acton Center and knows the Town well. She has a wide ranging-interest in Acton’s unique history. Walking Acton’s historic civic center, you will learn about the people, places and practices that shaped the town’s history and our nation’s as well. Topics include Native American history, the role of the church, the importance of Captain Isaac Davis and the Acton Minutemen, nearby historic buildings, memorials and more. The mile walk will take a little less than two hours.
Wednesday, May 29
The Empire Strikes Back, and Resistance Becomes Revolution
7pm
Acton Town Hall, 472 Main Street, Room 204
Last September Professor Bob Allison inaugurated the Acton 250 Lectures Series with an account of the Boston Tea Party of 1773 and the pivotal events that sparked the American Revolution. He returns to explain the critical changes occurring in the year 1774 when the Crown’s response solidified the colonial opposition. Register at https://tinyurl.com/AllisonMay29https://tinyurl.com/AllisonMay29. Remote Participation: You can participate in the Q&A using ZOOM http://tinyurl.com/Acton250-ZOOMhttp://tinyurl.com/Acton250-ZOOM or watch live at Acton TV http://tinyurl.com/Acton-TV. This is the fifth lecture in the Acton 250 Series.
Prof. Allison is renowned for his expertise in American colonial history, and the political, social, and economic factors that converged in the 18th century, leading to Massachusetts’ significant role in the creation of the American nation. He has taught history at Suffolk University since 1992 upon receiving his doctorate at Harvard University. He chairs Revolution 250, a consortium of organizations planning commemorations of the Revolution’s 250th anniversary and is a life-trustee of the USS Constitution Museum.
Saturday, June 1
Spring nature walk with storyteller and naturalist, Roland “Boot” Boutwell
10-12:30
Join ACT for a spring nature walk with our favorite storyteller and naturalist, Roland “Boot” Boutwell. Boot will lead us on a walk of 1-2 miles, identifying plants and trees along the way. Parking information and meeting location will be sent a few days before the event.
This is a members only event. If you’re not a member, please join here before registering. This event is free and children aged 5 and over are welcome. Registration is limited to 15 people. Click here to register.
If you have questions, please contact Jody Harris at jharris.actonconservationtrust@gmail.com.
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!
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
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.
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.
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
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CPA Updates (CPA is Town of Acton’s funding source for Open Space Preservation, Recreation, Community Housing and Historic Preservation) For more information visit CommunityPreservationCoalition.org.
DOR Issues Estimate on Base Match for November 2024 CPA Trust Fund Distribution
DOR is now projecting a 14.4% base match for the November 2024 first round CPA Trust Fund distribution. It’s important to note that DOR is always cautious when making estimates, using a model that considers “worst-case scenarios” for the Trust Fund. This means the final distribution percentage may be a few points higher in November. The match will most definitely be higher for CPA municipalities with a 3% local surcharge, as they will receive additional funding during the second and third rounds of the distribution (for these towns, we recommend consulting with your DOR field representative or municipal finance officials if you need assistance on estimating your town’s total trust fund revenue).
Recent Struggles for the CPA Trust Fund
While it’s unfortunate that this year’s Trust Fund distribution is expected to be significantly lower than the 21% base match in 2023, the monthly CPA collection reports make it clear why this decline is occurring. The CPA Trust Fund derives its revenue from fees collected at the state’s Registries of Deeds, and monthly collections have experienced ongoing declines dating back to late 2021. The figures from April 2024 show a 26% decrease compared to the same month last year, and with half of the year’s collections now complete, the Trust Fund is down by about 10% so far. With the addition of six new CPA municipalities that will be eligible for their first matching funds this year, DOR’s latest projection of a 14% base match certainly makes sense.
Recording Available for Lincoln Land Conservation Trust’s (LLCT’s) recent Program on Coyotes.
Watch the Recording
Geri Vistein’s website with more resources
Link to Mass Hunting Regulations for Coyotes
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
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.
Call for Community Planning Process Volunteers – Paid Role
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 during the 9-month process. For more information, visit Official Website | Acton MA
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”