Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
Mushroom Forage with BMC (Boston Mycological Club) at Will’s Hole/Town Forest on September 29
Visit https://actonconservationtrust.org/mushroom-forage-with-bmc/ to read about and see pictures of the spectacular Mushroom Forage with BMC (Boston Mycological Club) at Will’s Hole/Town Forest – wish I could have been there; much gratitude to Jody Harris, ACT Event Coordinator, for creating this event and for photographing and writing about it!
The following news and events may be of interest:
Sunday, October 13 – LAST ONE
Acton-Boxborough Farmers Market – Community Table: Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council
10-1 PM
19 Elm Street, Acton
Bring your reusable grocery tote every Sunday and stock up on local produce and artisanal goods while you enjoy music, artisan offerings, our community table… and friends and neighbors.
Tuesday, October 15
Ancient Winters at the Flagg Swamp Rockshelter
7-8:30PM
In person and via Zoom
Eric Johnson of UMass-Amherst provides a retrospective on the excavation of this remarkable 4,000-year-old site in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Events are free but require registration.
Questions? Email friends.of.pinehawk@gmail.com
Tuesday, October 15
Climate Change and the Monarch
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Acton Memorial Library Meeting RoomJoin Alana Archangelo from The Butterfly Place as she discusses the habitat and migration patterns of the Monarch Butterfly and how climate change is impacting their life cycle. Participate in activities that illustrate important concepts and learn more about the Monarch! Registration required. Suitable for grades 5-12. Funded by the AML Foundation. Register here.
Wednesdays, October 16 – November 20
“I Hiked Acton’s Trails!”
2:30-4:00 pm
Walk the trails in Acton’s conservation areas with the goal of earning a sticker and a sew-on patch! This weekly set of walks (typically 1-2 miles) is a joint effort between Acton Conservation Trust and Acton Conservation Division. We will complete the remainder of 22 conservation land walks which started last spring. Check out the “I Hiked Acton’s Trails” Challenge form HERE for more information about the challenge.
An accessible option is also available for those with devices or mobility issues. Contact us if you are interested in this option. For more information or questions, please contact jharris.actonconservationtrust@gmail.com. REGISTER HERE!
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Full Moon: the Hunter’s Moon
It appears low and large on the horizon. This year, it’s also the biggest and brightest Supermoon—so that should be quite a sight!
The Hunter’s Moon will reach peak illumination at 7:26 A.M. Eastern Time. It will be below the horizon, so wait until sunset to watch it rise and take its place in the sky.
The Farmers Almanac: This particular full Moon is commonly referred to as the full Hunter’s Moon. It is believed that this name originates from the fact that it was a signal for hunters to prepare for the upcoming cold winter by going hunting. This is because animals were beginning to fatten up in preparation for the winter season. Moreover, since fields had recently been cleared out under the Harvest Moon, hunters could easily spot deer and other animals that had come out to search for remaining scraps. Additionally, foxes and wolves would also come out to prey on these animals.
Friday, October 18
Spooky hike under the full moon and into the forest where owls, bats, and other nocturnal creatures dwell
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Burgess-Brown Trailhead, end of Murray Lane, Harvard, MA
The Harvard Conservation Trust invites you to join neighbors and friends for this spooky hike.
Following the hike, we’ll gather ‘round a campfire to enjoy refreshments, learn about the night forest, and watch the moon rise.
This event is FREE! However, spots are limited. You can register now to secure your place.
Register at: bit.ly/Moonlight-hike
What to Bring: A small flashlight or headlamp, and a folding chair.
What to Wear: Closed-toed footwear.
Be sure to apply Bug Spray.
Saturday, October 19
Fall Foliage Hike at Longview Conservation Area, Ashburnham, MA
10:00 am – 11:30 am
66 Hardy Road, Ashburnham, MA
It’s fall, y’all! Join us for a scenic hike around Longview Conservation Area (Southern Slope of Mount Watatic). Please prepare for weather and trail conditions.
Register here.
Sunday, October 20 (Rain date: October 27)
ACT Fall Community Service Day
1-3 pm
This fall we will be working in one of the conservation restrictions (CR) held by ACT. Family groups, scout groups, students and everyone else is welcome. No experience needed – we’ll show you what needs to be done.
Please register HERE. You’ll be emailed a copy of the registration. For more information or questions, please contact Jody Harris at jharris.actonconservationtrust@gmail.com.
Sunday, October 20 – 3rd Sunday of every month – through November
Breakfast at Fort Pond Littleton
8 Kaleva Road
8-10:30 am
For directions CLICK HERE.
kalevalittletonma.org
Menu:
Eggs, Homefries, Bacon or Sausage, Toast
-OR-
Pancakes, Bacon or Sausage
Plus Coffee, OJ, Pulla (Finnish sweet bread)
Adult $12 Child $8
For more information CLICK HERE
Tuesday, October 22
Burying the Trowel: A History of Controversy and Innovation in New England’s Cultural Stone Features Debate
7-8:30PM, in person at Acton Memorial Library and via Zoom.
Unusual stone features dot the woodlands and hillsides of New England, and their provenance has been subject to many theories and debate. Kitty O’Riordan is a cultural anthropologist who has been studying the people, methods, and literature surrounding the cultural stone features debate in New England for nearly a decade. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut, where she currently teaches. This talk gives an overview of the changing ways stone features have been understood over time, the friction this has caused between avocational researchers and professional archaeologists, and the benefits and limitations of new techniques in their study. O’Riordan will discuss the ways some are working to repair collaborative relationships to build new networks of communication that provide promise for future investigations of these culturally important places. Events are free but require registration at tinyurl.com/pinehawk-2024 Questions? Email friends.of.pinehawk@gmail.com
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Workshop on Aquatic invasive species in our rivers, lakes, and ponds
2:00-4:00 pm
Acton Town Hall, Room 204
Registration is required. The CISMA Aquatic Invasive Management Subcommittee will be hosting Kara Sliwoski of DCR’s Lakes & Ponds program, who will be doing an in-person workshop for us on aquatic invasive species in our rivers, lakes, and ponds. We’ll go over our current invasives and some that we should be on the lookout for. This will be a great time to learn about new invasives or just brush up on your ID skills. Sponsored by The CISMA Aquatic Invasive Management Subcommittee.
Saturday, October 26th
Clean Energy Home of the Month – Focus on Heat Pumps
Two sessions: 11am and 1pm
South Acton address sent with registration.
More than ever, our environment calls us to switch from fossil fuels. Are you thinking about air source heat pumps for your home? Come see a house that has an air source heat pump and a heat pump hydronic system, plus other clean technologies. The homeowner is one of Acton’s Clean Energy Coaches and he looks forward to your questions about transitioning off fossil fuels. 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.
Saturday, November 9 (Rescheduled from Oct. 19)
Adult Archaeology Walk (Note New Date)
10AM–noon, in-person only
Nashoba Brook Conservation Area
This walk was formerly scheduled for October 19, but Bettina Abe is unavailable due to a knee injury. Now Ian Bergemann, Land Stewardship Coordinator for the Town of Acton, will lead this hike along the Nashoba Brook Trail, with stops at the stone chamber and Native American ceremonial sites. Trail conditions can be rocky, uneven, and often wet, and thus participation is limited. Registrants will receive a detailed email several days before the walk. Limited to 20, ages 17 and up. Events are free but require registration at tinyurl.com/pinehawk-2024 Questions? Email friends.of.pinehawk@gmail.com
ANNOUNCEMENTS
“Stand Up to Stigma” Scarecrow Contest – Cucurbit Farm, 32 Parker St., Acton
ACTON: The scarecrows will be on display for the month of October, and the public is invited to cast their vote for the winning entry. The goal is 100 scarecrows along the fence, as well as many conversations about mental health! There is still time to build your scarecrow creation or plan to enter a carved Jack O’ Lantern in the Glow By event on the weekend before Halloween. There’s a corn maze too!
Additional info can be found at namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/scarecrow-contest2023.
Acton Municipal Vulnerability Plan Update (MVP 2.0) & Survey
Acton, MA (.gov)
https://acton-ma.gov › Acton-Municipal-Vulnerability-Pl…
Visit bit.ly/MVPACTON to take our survey and help Acton prepare for climate hazards. All survey respondents will be entered to win a $25 giftcard to KJs Caffe!
VOLUNTEERS:
Boston Area Gleaners is looking for gleaners!
Sign up to volunteer at BAG, https://www.bagetc.org/gleanlist.php
Town of Acton’s Agricultural Commission Needs Members
Meetings once/month, September – April; Advocating and representing Acton’s agricultural resources since 2020. Interested? Please contact AG@ACTONMA.gov
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”