Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
The following news and events may be of interest:
(If you prefer, you may read “Events of Interest” on our website, ActonConservationTrust.org)
Thank you to the nice group who joined us for Sunday’s Nature Walk at Grassy Pond West!
VOLUNTEERING
BOSTON AREA GLEANERS (Sign up to volunteer at https://www.bagetc.org/gleanlist.php)
Wednesday, September 21
Beet Harvest
1:30-4:30 PM
Concord, MA
Thursday, September 22
Apple Harvest
10-12:30 PM
Harvard , MA
Thursday, September 22
Apple Harvest
1:30-4:30 PM
Harvard, MA
Friday, September 23
Apple Harvest
10 – 12:30PM
Harvard, MA
Friday, September 23
Apple Harvest
1:30 – 4:30 PM
Harvard, MA
Saturday, September 24
Apple Harvest
9-noon
Harvard, MA
Saturday, September 24
Windrowing Butternut Squash
1-4 pm
Acton, MA
Saturday, September 24 Autumnal Equinox Potluck!
4-7 PM
Acton, MA
Want to join the Gleaners in Acton for Autumnal Equinox Potluck? No matter if you are a new or experienced BAG volunteer, all are welcome. There will be yard games and drinks, just bring your favorite dish and enjoy an evening with fellow volunteers!. RSVP if you plan to attend – at https://www.bagetc.org/presignup.php?access=select&gleantemp=2887
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
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!
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.
Thursday, 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 and Sunday, Sept. 25 – 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.
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 Rehabilaitation 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.
Sunday, September 25
Breakfast at Fort Pond, Littleton
8-10:30 AM
8 Kaleva Road, Littleton
Breakfast at the Pond is sponsored by the Finnish Knights and Ladies of Kaleva. Participants can gaze upon Fort Pond in Littleton, while having a freshly-made breakfast on the second Sunday of the month. Cost: $10.00 for adults: $6.00 for children, plus tax For location information: https://kalevalittletonma.org/fabulous-food-events
Sunday, September 25
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.
Wednesday, September 28
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
Iron Work Farm “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.
Sunday, October 2
Ride for Food
Noble & Greenough School, Dedham
Please join us in participating in the 2022 Ride For Food. The RFF is a bike ride fundraiser organized by Three Squares New England to support local hunger relief efforts. This year, the RFF is offering many options to get involved! The traditional in-person bike ride will take place on October 2nd at the Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, and there will also be a 5k walk option this year as well. Can’t make the October 2nd event? No problem! There is a virtual option again this year, so you can participate however and wherever you wish! The Boston Area Gleaner team is fundraising to support our hunger relief efforts. Please join or donate to our team today, and help us distribute more food to families in need! Register or donate at https://ride.threesquaresne.org/team/425405
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.
Friday October 7
Nashobah Praying Indians: A Living People, A Living Landscape
7 PM
Reuben Hoar Library in Littleton, MA
Meet Strong Bear Medicine of the Nashobah Praying Indians and local historian Daniel V. Boudillon as they discuss the 1654 Nashobah Praying Indian Village. Topics include the Nashobah People – a vibrant, living community – as well as the living landscape Native ceremonial structures, in Littleton, Acton, and neighboring towns. Co-sponsored with Littleton Historical Society and Littleton’s Reuben Hoar Library, In-Person only. 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 air https://tinyurl.com/pinehawk-2022 Questions? email friends of pinehawk@gmail.com.
Thursday, October 13
Planting for Biodiversity and Climate Resilience – Garden as if the earth matters!
7 PM -8:30 PM
Acton Town Hall, Room 204 & Virtual
Join Anna Fialkoff, from the Wild Seed Project in North Yarmouth, Maine, as she explores how gardening with native plants helps foster biodiversity and creates more resilient landscapes. Formerly of the Native Plant Trust in Framingham, MA, Anna highlights the wonderful ecological connections that happen in our own backyards and public spaces when we focus on native plants. Without sacrificing beauty, we can create extraordinary, vibrant habitats for the insects and birds who are essential to a healthy ecosystem. Anna shares many concrete suggestions for planting and for landscape care, all designed to enrich our soils and to help mitigate the stresses of climate change. Instead of taming nature, find ways to cooperate with nature and create a beautiful community in your yard.
Please register at EnergizeActon.org or use the QR code on the poster on website.
This event is co-sponsored by EnergizeActon.org, the Acton Garden Club, and the Acton Conservation Trust. Many thanks to the Acton Garden Club for co-hosting this event as part of their special Shirley Towle Lecture Series.
Saturday, October 15
Fall Mushroom Forage with Boston Mycological Club – sponsored by Acton Conservation Trust
10:30 AM-12:30 PM
WAITLIST AVAILABLE
The Boston Mycological Club is the oldest amateur mycology club in the USA, founded in 1895. Our walk will will take us through one of Acton’s conservation areas with BMC’s Jonathan Kranz to help ID our finds.
All ages are welcome. No pets, please! Refreshments will be provided after our walk.
Parking information and meeting location will be sent a few days before the event. This event will be held rain or shine as rain is great for mushrooms! Lightning will cancel the walk.
Register here. If you have questions, please contact Jody Harris at jharris.actonconservationtrust@jharris
Saturday, 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, October 23; Rain Date, Sunday, October 30
Acton Conservation Trust Fall Community Service Day
1-3 PM Spring Hill Conservation Land, Spring Hill Road, Acton
This fall we will be working at Spring Hill Conservation Area, removing invasive plant growth and widening the blue trail. In addition, there is a need to walk the entire loop system at Spring Hill, cutting back overgrowth to make the trails the proper width. You should plan to wear long sleeves and long pants. Please bring leather work gloves, clippers, bypass pruners and loppers and weed wrenches if you have them. You might need sunscreen and insect repellent as well.
Please register here.
There are also release forms for adults, as well as those 18 years old and under. We will need a signed release form for each participant, so please print the form, fill it out, then bring it with you to the event! If you’re 18 years old and under, please have a parent or guardian sign the form as well.
Thank you for forwarding this email to any and all interested parties. Everyone is welcome to join us, including families, students and scouts.
For more information or questions, please contact Jody Harris at jharris.actonconservationtrust@gmail.com and/or visit ActonConservationTrust.org.
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.
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.
Community Preservation Act News:
Action Alert: Help Secure $20M for the CPA Trust Fund – from Stuart Saginor, ED of Community Preservation Coalition, 9/14/22
$20M for CPA is On the Line:Call Your State Representative Today – As we reported over the summer, the path to securing state budget surplus funds for the CPA Trust Fund has been circuitous to say the least. Monthly collections for the CPA Trust Fund have fallen by over 20% compared to this time last year, so we are working hard to ensure that the state provides additional funding in time for November’s distribution. – Governor Baker has filed H.5131 H.5131 – An Act Relative to Funding for the Community Preservation Act, which – An Act Relative to Funding for the Community Preservation Act, which would provide $20 million in surplus funding for CPA. The bill is pending in the House of Representatives, so we need the help of your State Representative to push it over the finish line. Click here to contact your State Representative and ask them to support your local CPA program by passing H.5131
The Legislature only has a few weeks left to pass this bill, so now is the time to take action. Call or email your State Representative (Tami Gouveia or Dan Sena for Acton), identify yourself as a constituent, and request that they support the passage of Bill H.5131 – An Act Relative to Funding for the Community Preservation Act.
– We will continue to provide updates in the coming weeks as the Legislature makes its final deliberations for the current session.
Land Protection News!
Stow: State chips in more than $1m for housing, conservation plan – Boston Globe 9/18/22
Stow is getting state help for its planned purchase of part of the Stow Acres Country Club. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs awarded the town $1.1 million to support its acquisition of the club’s 115 acre North Course. Stow has an agreement to buy the land and Town Meeting in 2021 appropriated $2.5 million in Community Preservation Act funds to do so.
The Stow Conservation Trust is raising the remaining $100,000 the town needs to close on the property, expected in December. About 32 acres oft the parcel will be developed into single family village-style homes, with the remainder set aside for public conservation and recreation, including a short-term lease to continue golf on nine holes of the existing 18-hole North Course. The club plans to continue operating the 18 hole South Course – John Laidler
Boston Area Gleaner (BAG) INFORMATION
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”!