Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
Growing the ACT Board of Trustees
Are you interested in preserving open space in Acton? While Acton has the benefit of many acres of open space, some prized undeveloped parcels in Acton are not yet protected … Read more
Winterberry, Ilex verticillata, is a species of holly native to eastern North America in the United States and southeast Canada, from Newfoundland west to Ontario and Minnesota, and south to Alabama. The species occurs particularly in wetland habitats, but also on dry sand dunes and grassland. The berries are an important food resource for some species of bird, among them the American robin.[8]
The following news and events may be of interest:
Friday- Sunday, November 10-12
The Northeast Antiquities Research Association (NEARA) Fall Conference
Marlborough, MA
Keynote speaker Saturday evening: Andre StrongBearHeart Gaines-Roberson Jr., Nipmuc Cultural Steward “Eastern Woodlands Culture and Traditions – 12,000 years”
Information about NEARA and a link to the full program and registration is available HERE.
Sunday, November 12
Community Service Day
1 – 3 PM
Nashoba Brook Conservation Land in the Trail Through Time
This annual effort takes place on the Nashoba Brook Conservation Land in the Trail Through Time, a multicultural heritage trail in North Acton. The focus will be on trail and site maintenance. There will be an optional brunch beforehand at 11:30 AM. Details will be emailed to registrants a few days in advance. Limited to 25, ages 13 and up.
More information about the Friends of Pine Hawk and more detailed descriptions of these events can be found at https://www.pinehawk.org. For questions, please email: friends.of.pinehawk@gmail.com
Sunday, November 12
Codman Farm hosts Jen Turner of The Robbins House lecture on Recovering Lost Voices
4-5pm
In person at 58 Codman Rd, Lincoln
This lecture, explores an important and often overlooked part of Lincoln’s history-the lives of people who worked the land, many of whom were forced to do so. RSVP here.
Monday, November 13
7:00 pm
Acton Town Hall and ZOOM.
This illustrated talk will explore family, households, farms, neighbors, and the fabric of village life to recover the world of the Minutemen. It was a world far different from our own; it is the world that laid the groundwork for revolution. The Acton 250 Committee continues to sponsor a series of lectures on the history leading up to the momentous events of 1775 and 1776 to help us understand what life was like in our community in that era and share the less told stories of residents. Available live on ActonTV and by zoom at https://actonma.zoom.us/j/81741134640. All event information is located at https://actonma.zoom.us/j/81741134640
Tuesday, November 14
Read to Goats
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Liberty Tree Farm, 24 Liberty St, Acton
Young readers can make a 15 minute appointment to read aloud to 3 goats, Dorothy, Sophia, and Rose at the Liberty Tree Farm in Acton.
Please register online. Register here
Please register only 1 child per 15-minute slot and please only register each child once.
Please let us know if your plans change and you won’t be able to make your appointment, we often have a waitlist. Please register for a maximum of one appointment a day.
Tuesday, November 14
Read to a Horse
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Liberty Tree Farm, 24 Liberty Street, Acton
Young readers can make a 15 minute appointment to read aloud to a horse named Indy at the Liberty Tree Farm in Acton.
Please register online.
Please register only 1 child per 15-minute slot and please only register each child once.
Please let us know if your plans change and you won’t be able to make your appointment, we often have a waitlist. Please register for a maximum of one appointment a day.
Register here
Thursday, November 16
Meet the Friendly Flies
7 PM
Gleason Public Library, 22 Bedford St., Carlisle (CCF, GPL, Linda Graetz)
Stay that hand before you swat one of these two-winged wonders! We humans harbor too many fears and misconceptions about our friends the flies. Sure, some of them cause trouble, but can you think of one creature on earth that doesn’t? Learn more about our friends the flies in this visual and reflective introduction with educator and insect enthusiast, Linda Graetz. Like our fellow humans, there are thousands of flies out there ready to help us thrive on this beautiful planet. And, like our fellow humans, there are flies whose fascinating lives and sheer beauty just might fill you with awe. Flies are a complex group of insects; some we call “bad” and some we call “good”. That alone leads us to reflect more deeply on our permanent and unbreakable bond to the natural world
Gleason Public Library (co-sponsored Carlisle Conservation Foundation/CCF/ Gleason Public Library GPL)
Thursday, November 16
Westford Conservation Trust Annual Meeting 2023, Speaker, Chalis Bird on ” Living with Black Bears in Massachusetts”
7:00 pm
Nabnasset Lake Country Club
Members and friends are invited to join us for our our Annual Trust Meeting. We will have a brief Trust business meeting followed by the presentation of our Recognition of Excellence Award to our past president Dave Ebitson. Our guest speaker begins at 7:30PM. Hope you can join us!
Guest Speaker – Chalis Bird, Northeast District Wildlife Biologist at Mass Wildlife. Join Chalis, Northeast District Wildlife Biologist from MassWildlife, for an engaging and educational presentation on black bears in Massachusetts. “Learn how to prevent and resolve conflicts between humans and bears as we explore black bear biology, behavior, habitat, life history and population status.” Chalis will be happy to field general questions about nature and wildlife. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome. Hope to see you there!
Sunday, November 19
Acton-Boxborough Holiday Market
10 AM – 1 PM
Indoors at the West Acton Village Works, 525 Main Street, Acton
Join ABFM for our indoor Before-Thanksgiving Market of promoting good food and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Visit http://www.abfarmersmarket.org for more information
Tuesday, November 21
Fireside Chat: Dr. Gegear
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Join Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and Dr. Robert Gegear for a fireside chat about the LLCT’s Pollinator Meadow. Dr. Gegear will share research highlights from the past three summers and answer questions that audience members have about bumblebee biodiversity. This will be a casual presentation and Q&A.
This is a free virtual program and all are welcome. Registration is required (register here).
Dr. Robert Gegear is an assistant professor of biology at UMass – Dartmouth and founder of the Beecology Project. His work focuses on the conservation of native pollination systems and bumblebee biodiversity.
Early December
Open Space and Recreation Plan – The next public engagement session
The event will include a presentation of draft goals, actions, and parcel prioritization for final feedback.
Please Scoop the Poop
You hate stepping in it. Fish hate swimming in it. Dogs produce a lot of waste which, if not disposed of properly, can end up in our waterways.
Here’s why: Pick up after your pet. Dispose of pet waste by flushing it down the toilet or putting it in the trash. Never throw pet waste into a storm drain or waterway. Do your “DOODY” to keep our local waters clean: Stormwater may wash pet waste into ponds, streams or coastal waters, either directly or via storm drains. Pet waste contains germs and nutrients that can be harmful to human health and to our waterways and can even cause algae to grow, making the water turn an unpleasant green color. Water with increased bacteria and algae can have serious, and sometimes fatal, consequences when ingested by your dog as well as for all aquatic life.
For more information go to www.ThinkBlueMassachusetts.org
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eNEWS from The Trustees
Favorite Fall Foliage Hikes
Looking to find the best fall foliage hikes in Massachusetts? Autumn is the best season to get outdoors and take in the brilliant leaf displays that New England is known for. You will be delighted by the list of lesser-known gems for leaf-peeping which comes highly recommended from our Stewardship Team. Click on Get Peepin’ →
Acton Photo Competition
We are looking to update the Town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) with photos of Acton’s natural landscape, open spaces, and recreation. Do you have any favorite photos of Acton’s nature, open spaces, and recreation? The Town of Acton is actively collecting photographs to be featured in our updated Open Space and Recreation Plan
Please email your photos to photos@actonma.gov or scan the QR code on the flyer
Please include in the following in your submission:
-Your name
-Location the photo was taken
-Any other notes you would like to add
Reminder, all photographs of any individuals must be submitted with the individual’s consent. The deadline for submissions to the photo competition will be in December.
VOLUNTEERS:
Boston Area Gleaners is looking for volunteers for more apple gleans this week!
We have volunteer trips happening Wednesdays through Saturdays during the season. 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 and check out our FAQ to learn more! For more news and information from the Gleaners visit https://www.bostonareagleaners.org/
ne.org/team/499746
Thursday, November 9th
Apple Glean
9:00am – 12:00pm:
Location: Stow, MA
Thursday, November 9th
Radish Glean
9:00am – 12:00pm:
Location: Stow, MA
Thursday, November 9th
Apple Glean
1:00pm – 3:30pm:
Location: Stow, MA
Thursday, November 9th
Komatsuna and Veggie Harvest
1:30pm – 3:30pm
Location: Weston, MA
Friday, November 10th
Apple Glean
9:00am – 11:30am: Apple Glean
Location: TBD!
Friday, November 10th
Carrot Glean
10:00am – 12:30pm:
Location: Ipswich, MA
Friday, November 10th
Apple Glean
12:30pm – 3:00pm:
Location: TBD!
Friday, November 10th
Apple Glean
1:00pm – 4:00pm:
Location: Groton, MA
Friday, November 10th
Kale Glean
1:30pm – 3:00pm:
Location: Hamilton, MA
Leave the Leaves! From MCA-CISMA Newsletter, November 2022
Autumn is when many of us think to put our gardens to bed by removing leaves and cutting back perennials. Yet to truly support living creatures year round, it’s much better to leave fallen leaves, branches, stems, and seed heads where they are rather than raking, blowing, shredding, or cutting them away. Leaves and other organic matter insulate plant roots through the cold winter months and then decompose to build up living soil critical to healthy vegetation. This organic matter also stores large amounts of carbon, which is crucial to supporting a climate-resilient planet.
Read the full article here.
RESULTS OF CUCURBIT FARM’S SCARECROW CONTEST TO SUPPORT NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR MENTAL ILLNESS.(NAMI)
ACT’S “MOTHER NATURE” SCARECROW, CREATED BY JAN EISENBERG, CAPTURED FIRST PLACE!!!!
MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO VISITED AND VOTED IN CUCURBIT FARM’S SCARECROW CONTEST!!!
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Sincerely yours,
Susan Mitchell-Hardt
President, Acton Conservation Trust
www.ActonConservationTrust.org
P.S. Welcome new “Events of Interest” subscribers! As a nonprofit organization focused on conserving land in Acton, we rely upon the support of our members. Visit our ACT website, and click on “Join Us”!