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
To read more about last week’s Sunday’s Service Day cutting a trail to the new Anderson Conservation Land, visit ActonConservationTrust.org and ACT’s Instagram page.
The following news and events may be of interest:
Date October 18, 2023 CANCELED due to cloud cover – will be rescheduled in the spring
ACT Evening of Astronomy 2023
Time: 5:45-8:00 pm
NARA Park, Acton
Please click here to register, so we know how many people to expect. Exact location and parking information will be sent to you a few days before the event.
This event is open to everyone and perfect for families, but no pets please! Dress warmly… bring several layers and perhaps a hat and gloves. We will be outdoors with plenty of hot beverages and other refreshments for you to enjoy.
Wednesday, October 18
SVT 2023 Annual Meeting Lindsey Ketchel, “The Role of Land Conservation in Protecting Water Quality”
Framingham Village Hall, 2 Oak Street, Framingham
6:30 PM Refreshments and Socializing
7:15 PM Meeting Called to Order
We will present our Annual Conservation Awards, elect Board members, and recap the past year:
ACT’S SUSAN MITCHELL-HARDT WILL BE HONORED WITH SVT’S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD!!!
Executive Director Lindsey Ketchel will give the Keynote Address:
Please register to help us plan seating and refreshments! Register Today https://www.svtweb.org/annual-meeting-2023
Saturday, October 21
Adult Archeology Walk
10 AM–Noon
Bettina Abe, a long-time Acton trail volunteer and just retired member of Acton’s Conservation Division, will lead a brisk 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.
Tuesdays, October 24, 31st
Conversation, Coffee, Pastry and a Stroll around NARA Park sponsored by Councils on Aging in Acton, Boxborough & Littleton and the Acton Nursing Service
10-11 AM
NARA Park, 71 Quarry Road, Acton
Please meet at Upper Parking lot or park in the lower lot and walk uphill to upper fields. There is a patio near the two red buildings. For more information contact Sheryl Ball at sball@actonma.gov or at 978-929-6632 or after October 16th, contact Heather York hyork@actonma.gov or 978-929-6650.
Tuesday, October 24
Read to a Horse
4-5 PM
Liberty Tree Farm
Young readers can make a 15 minute appointment to read aloud to Indy, a retired thoroughbred horse at the Liberty Tree Farm in Acton. Register here
Tuesday, October 24
Read to Goats
3:30-4:30 PM
Liberty Tree Farm
Young readers can make a 15 minute appointment to read aloud to 3 goats, Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose, at the Liberty Tree Farm in Acton. Register here
Wednesday, October 25
Littleton Conservation Trust Annual Meeting
6:30 PM Presentation: 7 PM-8 PM
Dirigible Brewing Company, 24 Porter Road, Littleton, MA
LCT will treat those in attendance with one complimentary drink
John Hanson Mitchell will speak about the interrelationship between human culture and nature on one square mile of land, His book series, The scratch Flat Chronicles, will be the focus for the discussion
Thursday, October 26
THE SAND HILL SITE IN WAYLAND
7 PM
Acton Memorial Library and Zoom.
Duncan Ritchie, Senior Archaeologist at The Public Archaeology Laboratory will talk about Sand Hill, a large multicomponent Middle Archaic to Late Woodland Period site on the Sudbury River in Wayland, MA. The large assemblage of chipped, ground and rough stone tools, ceramic sherds and radiocarbon dated features document pre-contact Native American activities over a 7,000-year span. The Wayland Archaeology Group (WARG) carried out the excavation. At Acton Memorial Library and Zoom. Events require registration at https://tinyurl.com/pinehawk-2023 Questions? Email friends.of.pinehawk@gmail.com
Saturday, October 28
FULL Moon – Hunter’s Moon/Partial Lunar Eclipse
9:24 PM
Start looking for it on Friday, October 27
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.
Sunday, October 29
Run for the Hills with Harvard Conservation Trust
10 am 5k; 10:50 Fun Run
Prospect Hill Community Orchard, Harvard, MA
Great refreshments, prizes, and shirts. Costumes encouraged!
All proceeds support HCT’s mission Get more information at https://harvardconservationtrust.org/run-for-the-hills/
Wednesday, November 1
READING BETWEEN THE LINES: CONTEXTUALIZING NEW ENGLAND’S INDIGENOUS ROCK ART
7 PM
Acton Memorial Library and Zoom
New England’s rock art, imagery carved or painted on stone, provides a tantalizing, if often opaque, window into the region’s deep indigenous history. Drawing primarily from examples in Maine, Peter Anick, vice president of ARARA (American Rock Art Research Association), reviews various attempts to date, contextualize, and interpret figures using geology, ethnography, and comparisons with other sites. He relates how his experience researching difficult-to-see abstract art in Arizona contributed to the recent discovery of an unusual style of art here in New England Events require registration at https://tinyurl.com/pinehawk-2023 Questions? Email friends.of.pinehawk@gmail.com
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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.
“Stand Up to Stigma” Scarecrow Contest – LAST WEEK AND A HALF!
ACTON: Enter the “Stand Up to Stigma” Scarecrow Contest to benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Central Middlesex. Bring your $25 donation to Cucurbit Farm at 32 Parker Street in Acton and pick up your scarecrow starter frame. Then drop off your family friendly scarecrow at the farm stand. Individuals, organizations, and businesses are invited to participate. 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! Additional info can be found at namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/scarecrow-contest2023.
Important News from Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT)
New Role at SVT
Laura Mattei, SVT’s long-time Director of Stewardship, has been promoted to the newly created position of Director of Conservation. Laura will now oversee SVT’s Land Protection projects while also managing our Stewardship efforts. She will play a key role in establishing our conservation priorities, take the lead on collaborative conservation projects with our many partners, and continue to devise strategies for restoring wildlife habitats.
VOLUNTEERS:
Boston Area Gleaners is looking for gleaners!
Sign up to volunteer at BAG, https://www.bagetc.org/gleanlist.php
Thursday, Oct,. 19
Apple picking – some ladder picking – where sturdy shoes
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Groton, MA
7 of 12 volunteer spots filled
Leader : Deb. (If you have specific questions about this trip, email dhicks@bostonareagleaners.org)
SIGN UP
Thursday, 10/19
Hunt for Potatoes
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Ipswich, MA
2 of 8 volunteer spots filled
Leader : Emily. (If you have specific questions about this trip, email elarson@bostonareagleaners.org)
SIGN UP
If you haven’t been out to pick apples, here’s your opportunity! Some ladder picking involved for willing volunteers. Please wear shoes with a sturdy sole and heel if you plan to be on a ladder.
Thurs., 10/19
Apple picking Some ladder picking
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Groton, MA
3 of 12 volunteer spots filledLeader : Deb. (If you have specific questions about this trip, email dhicks@bostonareagleaners.org)
SIGN UP
Thursday, 10/19
Hunt for potatoes!
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Ipswich, MA
Don’t forget: The most up-to-date trip information is always on the website. We may post trips after the weekly email goes out. To stay in the loop about last-minute calls for volunteers, you can join our volunteer emergency text list!
1 of 4 volunteer spots filled
Leader : Emily. (If you have specific questions about this trip, email elarson@bostonareagleaners.org)
SIGN UP
Thursday, 10/19
Wash and pack carrots
1:30-3:30
Acton, MA
Friday, 10/20
Pick apples; Some ladder picking
9-noon
Groton, MA
For more gleanings, visit https://www.bostonareagleaners.org/
Gleaning is in full swing! 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
If you haven’t visited “Mother Nature”, our ACT Scarecrow, at Cucurbit Farm – it’s time!
As you can see, she’s encouraging support of land trusts – ACT and SVT!!!!
Bring your kids/grandkids – they also have a corn maze!!!
She’s a masterpiece, and here she is in all her natural glory – created by our ACT Member Jan Eisenberg!
“Mother Nature” supports MENTAL HEALTH/NAMI and CUCURBIT FARM!!! Please vote for #60; $1.00 donation/vote.
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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”!