Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
East Acton Village (EAV) Green Commemoration last Saturday –
The Green is at the intersection of Concord and Great Roads at the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail and Ice House Pond.
This event was to celebrate the Village Green’s opening and three late members of the East Acton Village Committee who dedicated their lives to advocating for the environment .
About 1 acre was set aside in 2004 thanks to the work of the EAV Planning Committee. Be sure to read each historic panel including one on the rich Native
American history of Nashoba Brook as a hunting and fishing corridor. Also see the panel dedicated to protecting our Water. Big thank you to Bettina Abe for being the project manager who pulled the park together.To learn more about the event read your most recent edition of the Action Unlimited, https://www.actionunlimited.com/acton-maynard
The following news and events may be of interest:
Sunday, September 17
Acton-Boxborough Farmer’s Market – October 15
Elm Street Playground, West Acton
10 AM – 1 PM
Join ABFM for our 15th season of promoting good food and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Visit http://www.abfarmersmarket.org for more information.
Wednesday, September 20
Bears of the West: Vital Ground Foundation and Douglas Chadwick
7-8:15 PM
Virtual
Douglas Chadwick is an American Wildlife biologist, author, photographer and frequent National Geographic contributor. He is the author of fourteen books and more than 200 articles on wildlife and wild places. For more information contact Walden Woods at 781-259-4700 or visit walden.org/contact-us
Thursday, September 21
“From Crown Tensions to Tea Parties: The Role of of Massachusetts in Shaping the Revolution” Lecture Series sponsored by Acton 250 Committee
7:30 PM
Acton Town Hall
Noted Historian Prof. Robert Allison will discuss the pivotal events that set the stage for the Boston Tea Party and sparked the American Revolution. Also available by zoom at actonma.zoom.us
Prof. Allison is renowned for his expertise in American colonial history, and the political, social, and economic factors that converged in the 18th century, leading to the climactic moment in Boston’s history. He has taught history at Suffolk University since 1992, when he received his doctorate at Harvard. He is currently the Chair of Revolution 250, a consortium of organizations planning commemorations of the Revolution’s 250th anniversary and a life-trustee of the USS Constitution Museum.
Friday, September 22,
Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition (MLTC aka MassLand) Conservation Partners Meeting (formerly known as “Steering Committee”)
10:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Hybrid: Barnstable Land Trust, 1540 Main St, West Barnstable, MA and via Zoom
Land trust staff and board members as well as conservation partners are welcome to this quarterly meeting, featuring relevant news from state agencies, a timely update on state and federal policy matters, announcements, and this quarter’s featured topic: increased state and federal funding for land conservation, and how to access it. Registration required here only if you’re attending via Zoom.
Date: September 22, 2023
Rain Date: September 24, 2023
ACT Evening of Astronomy 2023
Time: 6:30-8:30 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.
– Bring a headlamp or flashlight with a red light source to protect our night vision. We’ll have red cellophane available to cover white light sources. We ask that you follow these flashlight etiquette rules:
Use a small one to keep the stray light low.
Point it toward the ground only.
Cover it with several layers of red cellophane or use a red LED light. Red light doesn’t affect our adaptation to night vision unless it’s too bright or pointed directly into someone’s eyes.
Clouds or rain will cancel observing. We will consult the local weather forecast and contact you by 2:00 p.m. that day (September 22) with a GO/NO GO decision. For more information or questions, please contact Jody Harris at jharris.actonconservationtrust@gmail.com
Saturday, 9/23
Save Ice House Pond from Water Chestnuts – Volunteers Needed
Town of Acton Conservation Department & OARS is hosting a Community Water Chestnut Removal Day at Ice House Pond on 9/23/23
from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Ice House Pond, 120 Concord Road, Acton
Have you visited Ice House Pond in the Town of Acton recently? Did you notice the large growing patch of green leaves surrounding the pond? Those are the notorious aquatic invaders known as Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) and each nut can produce 10-15 plantsplants with each plant producing up to 20 seeds! This invasive species is spreading rapidly in Ice House Pond and threatening native species and recreational useIf you are interested in volunteering, we are looking for Ice House Pond defenders ages 14 and up! We will have some boats available for use as well as life vests generously provided by Paddle Boston! If you have your own kayak or canoe, you are encouraged to bring it! (And a life vest!)
We need help both in the water and on the land! If you are passionate about your local environment and want to make a difference, this opportunity is for you! If you are a high school student and interested in earning your community service hours through action-driven conservation this is for you!
Please Sign Up Herehttps://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084eaaab2faafcc16-2023#/
Tuesday, September 26
Read to Goats
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Liberty Tree Farm, 24 Liberty Street in 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, September 26
Read to a Horse
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Liberty Tree Farm, 24 Liberty Street in 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. 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.
Friday, September 29
I Hiked Acton’s Trails Book Club
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Meet together at the Information Kiosk in the parking area on Canterbury Hill Road
Hike all of Acton’s trails while discussing books about science and nature!
For our September meeting of I Hiked Acton’s Trails Book Club, we will be reading and discussing Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit by Lyanda Lynn Haupt while hiking the main loop of the Robbins Mill trail. We will m
Please come prepared to walk through difficult terrain and up/down hills.
Register at https://actonmemoriallibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/i-hiked-actons-trails-book-club-4/
Tuesday, October 3
Lincoln Land Conservation Trust’s (LLCT’s) Annual Meeting Featuring Gwyn Loud
6:30 PM
St. Annes in the Fields, 147 Concord Rd, Lincoln, MA,
Light refreshments will be served starting at 6:30 P.M. The meeting will begin at 7:15 P.MLLCT Members will hear updates on the organization’s recent activities and will have an opportunity to vote in the new slate of Trustees. Immediately after the business meeting, Gwyn Loud, LLCT Trustee, will give the keynote address.
Weaving together anecdotes from her own observations and from her network of naturalists, Gwyn will tell the story of Lincoln’s changing landscapes, flora, and fauna. Come be delighted with Lincoln’s biodiversity as we collectively remind ourselves why conservation matters.
Thursday, October 5
20th Annual Land Trust / State Agency Retreat
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
in-person at Fisher Museum, Harvard Forest, Petersham, MA,.
programming, followed by optional informal social time
Friday, October 6
20th Annual Land Trust / State Agency Retreat
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
in-person at Harvard Forest and via Zoom,
Advance registration is required Registration closes on Tuesday, October 3 at noon.
Hosted by MLTC and the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs, the Retreat is an opportunity for colleagues of Massachusetts land trusts and state agencies involved in land conservation to build relations and learn together. This year features a conversation with Nipmuc Leaders, and topics on conservation work with Environmental Justice populations, forests as climate solutions, and increasing the pace of conservation.Attend one day or both. Cost: Retreat only = $20 (includes coffee/tea throughout the day). Lunch is BYO. Additional cost for overnight accommodation = $90. Overnight dinner and breakfast are potluck. A detailed agenda will be emailed to all registrants.
“Stand Up to Stigma” Scarecrow Contest
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.
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”!