Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
The following news and events may be of interest:
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 (Program is full)
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, September 23
The Autumnal Equinox!
2:50 AM
The fall equinox and the first day of autumn arrives at the same moment worldwide. It has to do with farming! Around the fall equinox, the full Moon rises around sunset for several nights in a row, traditionally providing farmers with just enough extra light to finish their harvests before the killing hard frosts of fall set in.
Typically, 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!Surprise, surprise: it has to do with farming! Around the fall equinox, the full Moon rises around sunset for several nights in a row, traditionally providing farmers with just enough extra light to finish their harvests before the killing hard frosts of fall set in.
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#/
Sunday, September 24
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.
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.M
LLCT 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.
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.
Sunday, October 7
Open-Air Tap Room at Jones-Faulkner Homestead, Iron Work Farm’s popular fall fundraiser!
4 PM-8 PM
Jones-Faulkner Homestead , 5 High Street
Following our brief annual meeting, a musket salute by the Acton Minutemen will open the main event on the Faulkner lawn at 4:00 p,m. (Gates open for early birds at 3:30).
Featured will be music by Ward Hayden and the Outliers and outdoor games for both kids and adults. Join in a local pizza fest, and have a “colonial” selfie taken! Roast marshmallows the old-fashioned way, and help us raid the popcorn machine! Or you may bring your own picnic. In case of inclement weather, we will have tents for shelter, and fire pits for warmth.
The $40 admission/donation per person includes 3 drink- and food tickets. (Kids under 18 are free). We are required to check IDs, so please bring yours with you. Parking is available in nearby commuter lots. Handicap parking is available on site.
Advance reservations are recommended. Go to ironworkfarm.org; (paste the link in your browser, if necessary), or email us at this address.
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
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!
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/
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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”!