Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
Thanks to y’all who stopped by our ACT table at the Kelley’s Corner Block Party!!!
We introduced many new people to the Acton Conservation Trust. Many thanks to the organizers, Director of Economic Development, Recreation Department, and Karen Herther.
The following news and events may be of interest:
(If you prefer, you may read “Events of Interest” on our website, ActonConservationTrust.org)
VOLUNTEERING
BOSTON AREA GLEANERS (BAG News & Information is at the end of this newsletter).
Thursday, September 15
Harvest Collards!
9-Noon PM
Acton, MA
Thursday, September 15
Apple Harvest
10-12:30 PM
Harvard , MA
Thursday, September 15
Apple Harvest
1:30-4:30 PM
Harvard, MA
Friday, September 16
Harvest Corn
9-noon PM
Concord, MA
Friday, September 16
Apple Harvest
10-12:30 PM
Harvard , MA
Saturday, September 17
Harvest Tomatoes
9-Noon
Lincoln, MA
Saturday, September 17
Harvest Apples
10-12:30
Harvard, MA
Saturday, September 17
Apple Harvest – Please see post sign-up email for parking details
1:30-4 PM
Harvard, MA
Saturday, September 17
Join us this hot afternoon to prepare for butternut by washing bins! Prepare to get wet.
1:30 – 4 PM
Acton, MA
Now through September 30
Harvard Conservation Trust’s Story Book Trail, featuring “Henry Hikes to Fitchburg” by D.B. Johnson
The Muller Trail Trailhead is located at the parking lot just past 74 Littleton County Rd., Harvard, MA
Inspired by the life of Henry David Thoreau,” Henry Hikes to Fitchburg” is a a New York Times bestseller and a local classic! This story follows two friends who have very different approaches to life. When the two agree to meet one evening in Fitchburg, which is thirty miles away, each decides to get there in his own way. The two have drastically different journeys…with surprisingly similar results.
About The Muller Trail
This trail is the very first trail established by The Harvard Conservation Trust nearly 50 years ago! The full loop is well marked, and just a little over 1 mile in total. There is a great spot for a picnic in a grassy clearing that you will discover. If you’re up for a longer adventure, there is a
connection to Horse Meadows Knoll too! https://harvardconservationtrust.org/
Now – October 31
Scarecrow Contest – “Stand Up to Stigma”
Cucurbit Farm, 32 Parker St
Calling all entries to Cucurbit! 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 and pick up your scarecrow starter frame. Individuals, organizations, and businesses are invited to participate. The scarecrows will be on display for the month of October. Additional info at namicentralmiddlesex.org and cucubitfarm.com.
Saturdays, Sept. 17 and Sundays, Sept. 18 – now through October
Thoreau Farm is Open for Tours!
11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM
Thoreau Farm, 341 Virginia Road, Concord, MA
Take an inside look at the restored 1730s house listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Wheeler-Minot Farmhouse/Henry David Thoreau Birth House. Locally, it is also known as “Thoreau Farm.” Tour includes the lovingly restored second-floor room where Henry David Thoreau was born in 1817. Visits are by guided tour only. Admission is free. Suggested Donation $5/person.
Friday, September 16-18
River Clean-Up Volunteers Needed!
Join US! OARS needs volunteers to help us spread out across the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord river watershed to clean up our rivers, streams, ponds and trails! This year marks the 36th Annual River Clean-Up which will be hybrid and take place Friday Sept 16-Sunday Sept 18. Every year OARS relies on the support of volunteers and local businesses to keep our rivers clean.To find out how to get involved in this year’s clean-up, go to www.oars3rivers.org.
Saturday, September 17
Eyes on Owls Live Animal Program
11-12:15 PM
Come explore North America’s family of owls. A fast paced slideshow introduces all 19 species of owls that nest on the continent north of Mexico. Then meet six species of owls up close! Space is limited so advance ticket purchase required. 48 seats available. To register, visit https://svtprograms.force.com/s/event-detail?eventId=a4W5G0000019PeXUAU#; $5/SVT Member; $10 for Non-Member
Saturday, Sept. 17, October 15, November 19
Polysterene Collection Day
10 AM-1 PM
Acton Transfer Station and Recycling Center
Bring your clean polystyrene; We can’t accept polystyrene food containers.
Questions? Contact the Sustainability Director at abecerra@actonma.gov. Transfer Station sticker required for access.
Sunday, September 18
Acton-Boxborough Farmer’s Market
Elm Street Playground, West Acton
10 AM – 1 PM
Join us for our 14th season of promoting good food and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Visit http://www.abfarmersmarket.org for more information.
Sunday, September 18
Waitlist: Nature Walk of Grassy Pond
2-4 PM
Meet at Church of the Good Shepherd, 164 Newtown Road Acton
Please join the Acton Conservation Trust for a walk of this beautiful and biodiverse land just off Newtown Road. The walk will be led by Boot Boutwell, a freelance itinerant naturalist who teaches and leads nature walks for Mass. Audubon and the New England Wild Flower Society among others. Grassy Pond is a kettle-hole pond formed by the retreat of the last glacier. It exhibits bog characteristics (very wet/highly acidic) around its perimeter, and is home to a number of wetland loving plants such as leatherleaf, highbush blueberry, pitcher plants, red maple, and tamarack. There are two boardwalks to keep us high and dry – one running through the pond-shore bog and a second going out into the pond. The walk will focus on plant ID as well as fun and interesting natural history. Be sure to come dressed for ticks and sprayed for mosquitos. Refreshments will be provided.
Please note: We currently have a waitlist for this event, but you can sign up for the waitlist by Registering HERE and we will contact you when a space is available. Thank you for your interest!
Sunday, September 18
Seed Saving Workshops
2-4:30 PM
2-3 PM Community Seed Saving: giving nature a boost
Meet at the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT) Pollinator Meadow to collect seeds from a handful of native perennials. Learn how to sow them this fall and next spring.
Participants are encouraged to plant some in their own space, and to join LLCT in a planting day next spring at the meadow.
3:30-4:30 PM The Seed Garden: heirloom food and flowers. Meet at the Codman Farm greenhouses and learn the how and why of seed saving for your own heirloom crops, how to plan a seed garden, and supporting seed saving efforts. Space is limited so register today!
Tuesday, September 20- Postponed until Tuesday, October 25
Household Hazardous Waste Day
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: DPW Garage at 14 Forest Road
The Town of Acton holds a Hazardous Waste Day twice a year and offers residents a safe and legal way of disposing of hazardous materials. For more information on hazardous waste disposal or Hazardous Waste Day, please contact the Health Department at 978-929-6632.2022 from
Note: These collection services are for Acton residents only and proof of residency will be required.
This year there will be extra precautions in place due to COVID-19:
• All residents must stay in their vehicles at all times. Clean Harbors has a policy that anyone who attempts to exit their vehicle will be asked to leave.
• Waste accepted from truck bed, trunk of car, or back hatch of SUV. Materials will not be accepted from seats or when handed from residents.
• Clean Harbors will not be returning any containers (gas containers, storage totes, etc.). Please plan accordingly.
• If possible, make one trip to Household Hazardous Waste Day.
See our Household Hazardous Waste Day Flyer for more information.
Tuesday, September 20
Lincoln Land Conservation Trust Annual Meeting
Presentation: “Why do Fireflies Flash?”
7:00 PM
Avalon Owens, will speak on “Why do fireflies flash? How to be a firefly steward, neighbors and friend, and keep their lights turned on”. Register for Annual Meeting by visiting https://lincolnconservation.org/events/llcts-2022-annual-meeting-why-do-fireflies-flash/
September 22
Autumnal Equinox, The First Day of Fall
9:04 PM in the Northern Hemisphere
The Farmer’s Almanac: This date marks the start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. After the autumnal equinox, days become shorter than nights as the Sun continues to rise later and nightfall arrives earlier. This ends with the winter solstice, after which days start to grow longer once again.
– The word “equinox” comes from Latin aequus, meaning “equal,” and nox, ”night.” On the equinox, day and night are roughly equal in length. (See more about this below.)
The Harvest Moon & the Equinox
– The full Moon that occurs nearest to the autumnal equinox is always called the ”Harvest Moon!”
It has to do with farming! Around the fall equinox, the full Moon rises around sunset for several nights in a row, which traditionally provided farmers with just enough extra light for them to finish their harvests before the killing frosts of fall set in. Normally, the Moon rises about an hour later each night, but around the time of the fall equinox, the angle of the Moon’s orbit and the tilt of the Earth line up just right and cause the Moon to rise only about 20 to 30 minutes later each night for several nights in a row!
Saturday, September 24
Birds of Prey with Tom Ricardi
1-2 PM
Walden Pond State Reservation, beyond the Walden Pond Visitor Center
Tom Ricardi of Mass Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Facility in Conway, Massachusetts, gives an interactive presentation featuring live birds of prey. Among the raptors featured may be eagles, falcons, hawks, endows. All children must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Please bring your own lawn chair or blanket. WPSR Parking fees: $8 MA resident; $30 non-MA resident. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Walden Pond.
Sunday, September 25
Everyone’s welcome to enjoy this new conservation land in Berlin
120 Linden Street, Berlin
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Come by anytime!
Meet a Naturalist * Walk the Trails
Scavenger Hunt for Families
Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT) and the Town of Berlin have worked together to protect 100 acres of land at the northeast corner of Mount Pisgah called Horseshoe Pond. This land includes a pond, a meadow, a forest, and trails that are available to the public to enjoy between dawn and dusk. SVT is a nonprofit group that conserves land for public enjoyment in the region between Boston and Worcester.
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Propagate Local, Native Pollinator Plants across Concord!
1:00 – 2:15 PM
Concord Free Public Library
Free. All are welcome.
No registration required.
This program will be given by the Concord Library, Concord Land Conservation Trust, and Town Natural Resources Division. Hear about what each organization is doing to support native pollination systems. Learn about a new, cooperative effort to collect native, local seed that benefits our wild pollinators. Saved seed will be given to the Seed Lending Library and sowed seed will get planted at designated conservation properties and the new display garden at the Fowler Branch. Find out how you can get involved and sign up for a field trip where participants will learn how to collect and clean seeds, package seeds for the Seed Lending Library, and sow seeds using milk jugs.
This program is part of 2022 Climate Preparedness Week through the Massachusetts Library System.
Saturday, October 1
Faulkner Homestead “Open Air Taproom” fundraiser
4-8 PM
Faulker Homestead, 5 High Street, Acton
Plans are still being finalized, but they include the Music, Minutemen, and Merriment of the past combined with the ease and freedom of an outdoor event. You are cordially invited to join us – tickets are still $30 per adult. Children are free and welcome.
There will be music by Ward Hayden and the Outliers, brews from True West, and cider from Pony Shack Cidery. True West will also be catering the event with dinners to order on site, or guests may bring their own picnics. In case of inclement weather, we will have large tents for shelter, and fire pits for drama and warmth.
Visit our website at ironworkfarm.org for tickets and more information.
Monday, October 3
Great Falls, A Documentary
7:00 PM
Smithsonian filmmaker Ted Timreck will screen a retrospective of his film that tells a dramatic story of environmental and cultural preservation when Turners Falls, Massachusett’s plans to expand its airport runway included removal of a ceremonial stone landscape Native Americans identified as a ritual site. Sponsored by the Sargent Memorial Library in Boxborough. In-person and Zoom. The Friends Pine Hawk 2022 Fall Program is presented with support from the Acton Memorial Library, the Sargent Memorial Library, and Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. All programs are free but require registration here. Questions? Email friends.of.pinehawk@gmail.com.
BOSTON AREA GLEANERS (BAG) INFORMATION AND NEWS
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!
Got Banana Boxes?
We’re looking for banana boxes to pack and transport our gleaned produce! Banana boxes can be collected from grocery stores, corner stores, pantries, or anywhere that sells bananas.
We’ll keep a running total of the boxes you’ve dropped off at Stonefield Farm and we’ll be in touch to give you merch in recognition of your efforts! For more detailed information and instructions, click here.
Help for Volunteers who commute to BAG’s Stonefield Farm, 91 Martin St., from South Acton Station
As a reminder, if you are planning to take the MBTA to volunteer at Stonefield Farm in Acton, feel free to use one of the three BAG bikes (covered in BAG stickers) now parked at South Acton station for the short commute to the farm! Please reach out to outreach@bostonareagleaners.org prior to your volunteer trip to coordinate.
Walden Pond in Concord
7 am-7:30 pm
915 Walden St., Concord, MA
walden.pond@state.ma.us 978-369-3254, bridal paths, and farm roads
One-way trail loop system to promote social distancing; Boat ramp Sunday – Saturday: 5 AM – 7 PM.
Parking: MA resident $8; Non-MA resident: $30 Annual and senior passes NOT sold in park
Use this link to purchase a pass: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/purchase-an-annual-parking-pass-for-massachusetts-state-parks
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/get-a-senior-parking-pass
HIT THE WATER – PICK YOUR PADDLES
The South Bridge Boathouse
Canoe and Kayak Rental service in Concord
496 Main St., Concord, MA
Monday-Friday: 10 AM to one hour before dusk; Weekends and Holidays: 9 AM to one hour before dusk.
Rent a canoe or kayak and explore miles of peaceful waterways on the Assabet, Sudbury and Concord Rivers. A leisurely 1.5 mile paddle to the
Old North Bridge is a favorite.
For more information contact 978-369-9438 or visit https://www.southbridgeboathouse.com/
Camp Acton is Open
Pope Road, Acton
Fee is $25 per site reserved through the Recreation Department.
Limited to 10 people per site. Visit http://trails.actonma.gov/ to learn more about Camp Acton.
Please complete the registration form 48 business hours prior to desired reservation date.
Payments are due upon reservation confirmation
Portable toilet on site.
All users must follow social distancing, regulations and posted guidelines.
Please complete and send camp Acton Permit application via email to recreation@actonma.gov or fax to 978-929-6333
Please allow up to two business days to process.
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”!