Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
Check out the new 70′ long high tech boardwalk under construction over Heath Hen Meadow Brook – Trex decking and aluminum poles. Many thanks to Community Preservation Act (CPA) for funding the project and to Bettina Abe’s crew of boardwalk builders. The trail to the boardwalk is accessed at the rear of Mount Hope Cemetery at 176 Central Street.
The following news and events may be of interest: If you prefer, you may read “Events of Interest” on our website, ActonConservationTrust.org
Now – December 17
Experience Destination: Nature, An Evocative Juried Art Show
Tuesday through Thursday: 12 – 6 pm; Friday, 12-3, Sat & Sun 11-3 PM
*open Saturday Nov 12th only from 3-6 pm for public reception
Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA
Featuring works from over 50 regional artists who have been inspired by the thousands of acres of protected land in Harvard, Massachusetts. Sarah Montross, Senior Curator at the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park has juried the show, selecting the exhibited works and awarding top prizes. The exhibit will also feature an immersive video installation created by Bearwalk Cinema. See these natural landscapes and wildlife habitats through the eyes of talented artists. All art is available for purchase. Visit www.destination-nature.org
Wednesday, November 9
LCT Annual Meeting & Presentation: Where Have All My Birds Gone?
6:30 PM Annual Meeting; 7:00 Presentation
Zoom
As our days get shorter and shorter, many of us are wondering: “Where Have All My Birds Gone?” The story books suggest the easy answer: they went south for the winter. And that’s certainly a big part of the story: But wait, there’s more! This zoom presentation will complete the picture with insights into: Why do birds fly away at all? Where do they go? What adventures might they experience on the way?
You’ll also learn some ways you can help birds have a good trip south and provide them with a warm welcome next spring. Presenter, Michele Grzenda, is the Conservation Director for the Town of Lincoln. However, Michele’s real passion is sharing her love of birds with others.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87671413568?pwd=RXJZR3lwVWZXdmlQL3YvTHpwL0FzUT09
Meeting ID: 876 7141 3568
Passcode: 198255
Wednesday, November 9
Conservation Restriction (CR) Baselines 101: 11/9 Virtual Workshop
6-8 PM Virtual Workshop Program United States
Conservation Restriction Baseline Workshop: This class will cover the basics of Baseline Documentation Reports for Conservation Restrictions. This will include a step-by-step process on how to do everything from fieldwork, report contents, and document storage. If your municipality has never done baselines on its CRs, or has a significant backlog, have no fear! Special attention will be paid on how to catch up.
With Nick Rossi of Mass Audubon. For more information, contact Joey Wigglesworth. Sponsored by MACC, Mass. Association of Conservation Commissions.
Pricing $40 MACC members; $60 non-members; $35 full-time students.joey.wigglesworth@maccweb.org, 617.489.3930
Online registration is available until: 11/7/2022
Thursday, November 10
Town of Acton Open Space & Recreation Plan Public Forum
7 PM
Virtual Zoom Webinar
The Town of Acton is updating the Open Space and Recreation Plan to cover the years of 2023 through 2030. An Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) is a tool through which a community plans for the future of its conservation and recreation resources. The Town is looking to update the goals of the plan and list capital projects that will help us complete the intended goals for Acton.
Residents now have an opportunity to review and comment on the goals that the Town’s Working Group has put together. This forum will also give everyone the opportunity to review the results of the Town wide OSRP survey that was implemented in Spring 2022.
View the current Open Space and Recreation Plan. 2014-2021
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://actonma.zoom.us/j/82347214521
Or One tap mobile : US: +16468769923,,82347214521# or +13017158592,,82347214521#
For more information visit https://www.acton-ma.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1485
Thursday, November 10
Leeks and Radish Harvest
9:00am – 12:00pm
Lincoln, MA
Apple Harvest
9:00am – 12:00pm
Groton, MA
Potato Harvest
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Stow, MA
Carrot Harvest
1:30am – 4:30pm
Leominster, MA
Friday, November 11
Rutabaga and Cabbage Harvest
9:00am – 12:00pm
Weston, MA
Lettuce, Bok Choy, and Kohlrabi Harvest
10:00am – 1:00pm
Ipswich, MA
Kale, Turnip and Radish Harvest
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Acton, MA
Ride For Food 2022: Thank you!
The Gleaners had a successful bike ride on the 2nd! You can still help us reach our fundraising goal of $10,000 by donating to our team at the link below. We will continue fundraising until the end of October.
A big thank you to those who have donated already, we truly appreciate your support! Donate today! at https://ride.threesquaresne.org/team/425405
Thursday, November 10
Mass Audubon – Tracking Bird Migration
7:00-8:30 pm
Why do birds migrate and how can research unlock the secrets of their global adventures?
Sunday November 13
COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY
1:00pm
This annual effort again takes place on the Trail Through Time, a multicultural heritage trail in the North Acton conservation lands. The focus will be on trail and site maintenance. There will be an optional brunch beforehand at Legend’s Cafe in West Acton at 11:30 AM. Register for all events here.
Tuesday, November 15
MCA (Metropolitan Conservation Association) Meeting
2:30-4 PM
via Zoom
Primary Topics: MCA Conservation Prioritization Map and Examples of Organization DEI Education
Agenda and Registration
Tuesday, November 15
Mass Audubon –Birdwatching Around the World Series, Panama
9:00-10:00 am
Virtual
Wednesday, November 16
Webinar – Economic Benefits of Open Space to Massachusetts Communities
6:30-8 PM
As communities across Massachusetts work to balance land conservation and development, questions arise about the economic impacts of these land uses. To help inform these conversations, the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition partnered with consultant Jessica Sargent from Primrose Research Group LLC to develop a toolkit of resources to help community leaders articulate the economic benefits of land conservation.
Robb Johnson (Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition) and Christa Collins (formerly of the Sudbury Valley Trustees), will present the toolkit and discuss ways in which community leaders can use it in their own town. Register here.
Thursday, November 17
BioMap Launch Event
1–2 p.m.MassWildlife Field Headquarters,
1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581
Please join the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Massachusetts Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and other state officials for a special event to celebrate the launch of BioMap. Join conservation partners from across Massachusetts to learn about the latest iteration of BioMap and watch a live demonstration of the newly launched web portal. Developers from MassWildlife and TNC will be available to answer questions about how to use BioMap to inform your conservation planning.
Light refreshments will be served.
Please RSVP by Thursday, November 10. Click here to RSVP
BioMap uses the latest scientific data to deliver an innovative, interactive map that identifies areas that are most critical for conservation across Massachusetts. But, BioMap is more than a map. It is a map, a tool, and a vision for the people of the Commonwealth to come together to strategically protect, manage, and restore lands and waters now and into the future. We hope you’ll join us.
Friday, November 25
SVT’s Annual “Give Thanks for the Land” Walk
10 AM
Memorial Forest, Sudbury
The tradition continues! Connect with nature during the season of gratitude. Join Executive Director Lisa Vernegaard for a fast-paced walk on “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving.
Register Now
Thursday, December 1
Shrubs in Winter (AKA Naked Shrubs)
In-Person Field Workshop
Acton Arboretum and Bog, 2 Taylor Road, Acton
10-12:30 pm
Join Naturalist, Roland “Boot” Boutwell for our field workshop at the Acton Arboretum and Bog for a close look at 15-20 native New England shrubs, plus a couple of non-native invasive species.
Bring lunch and a hand lens if you have one.
Fee: $60 MACC members | $ 80 Non-members | $ 45 Full-time students. Limit: 12.
Space is Limited. Register Today. Contact Michele Girard michele.girard@maccweb.org, 617-489-3930.
Sponsored by MACC, Mass. Association of Conservation Commissions.
December 8
Doug Tallamy presents Nature’s Best Hope – Lincoln Land Conservation Trust
7 PM
Virtual program
Recent headlines about global insect declines, the impending extinction of one million species worldwide, and three billion fewer birds in North America are a bleak reality check about how ineffective our current landscape designs have been at sustaining the plants and animals that sustain us. Such losses are not an option if we wish to continue our current standard of living on Planet Earth. The good news is that none of this is inevitable. Tallamy will discuss simple steps that each of us can- and must- take to reverse declining biodiversity and will explain why we, ourselves, are nature’s best hope.
The night’s focus will be on how to create backyard biodiversity in Lincoln, connect habitats throughout Town, and increase resilience against climate change. All are welcome at this free, virtual program. Register here.
NEWS:
SVT Acts to Conserve Boxborough Property – from SVT’s Monthly News: November 2022
Boxborough’s Campbell Land/Sargent Road property is protected! Located along Sargent and Littlefield Roads, these 21 acres protect local water resources and create a connection between nearby conservation areas.
SVT purchased the property on October 25 to protect it from development. We’ll hold the land until the Town can reimburse us and take ownership in a few months’ time. In addition, the Boxborough Conservation Trust raised over $200,000 to help offset the Town’s costs.
SVT is delighted to play a role in the protection of this important wildlife corridor, and we’ll eventually hold a conservation restriction on the property.
Director of Land Protection Retires from SVT – from SVT”s Monthly News: November 2022
Christa Collins, Director of Land Protection since 2008, has retired from her position after 20 years at SVT. We honored her at our Annual Meeting on October 6, when Executive Director Lisa Vernegaard celebrated some of Christa’s many successes with a slideshow presentation.
A well-respected member of the conservation community, Christa played a role in the protection of more than 3,100 acres across 88 properties during her time at SVT, including Mainstone Farm in Wayland, Nobscot Scout Reservation in Sudbury, Sweetwilliam Farm in Upton, and most recently, Horseshoe Pond on Mount Pisgah in Berlin.
State Rep. Carmine Gentile (D-Framingham, 13th Middlesex) was also on hand at our Annual Meeting to present Christa with a commendation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Ever dedicated to conservation, Christa will continue to serve the region as a board member for the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition. Good luck, Christa. We miss you!
City of Boston Advances Green Infrastructure – from Mass. Rivers Alliance
Last week, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced the city’s new green infrastructure requirements to reduce stormwater pollution and support groundwater recharge. Green infrastructure has numerous co-benefits, including increasing urban tree canopy, mitigating urban heat island effect, and enhancing ecological diversity.
This new policy will apply to curb extensions , which improve safety at crosswalks by reducing the distance to cross the street and preventing vehicles from parking too close to crosswalks, making pedestrians more visible to drivers.
Historically, these spaces have been paved with impervious paved materials. Boston’s new policy gives five design alternatives that will reduce stormwater pollution and calm traffic. These small installations will allow the city to scale up green infrastructure implementation in the future.
Read the full press release >> – from Mass. Rivers Allliance
PFAS UPDATES. The most recent information on PFAS in Acton wells, including status updates, are always available on our dedicated PFAS webpage at www.actonwater.com/pfas. PFAS sampling results through the month of September are now posted. To subscribe to this email list to receive notifications when changes or new information become available, sign up by sending an email to wq@actonwater.com , with “Updates” in the subject line, and with name and address.
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.
Support Acton Conservation Trust while you make purchases on AmazonSmile! ACT will receive a small payment, and these add up! From your desktop or laptop computer, AmazonSmile is available at at smile.amazon.com on your Web browser. Bookmark it for easy use!
AmazonSmile is available from your mobile phone as well. To activate AmazonSmile in the Amazon Shopping app, simply tap on “AmazonSmile” within the Programs & Features menu or Settings and follow the on-screen instructions.
Sincerely,
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”!