Bioblitz! Nature of Acton and Boxborough 2026
2026-04-24 08:00 - 2026-05-04 20:30 (America/New_York) | Acton/Boxborough Yards, Parks, and Conservation Lands, Acton, 01720, United States
Please join the Nature of Acton and Boxborough 2026 Bioblitz this April.

We invite you to document and celebrate biodiversity in Acton and Boxborough! Last year 26 participants made almost 1000 observations and identified over 500 species in the Acton and Boxborough area. Let’s make even more observations this year! How does one participate? You just need a smartphone, the directions below, and time outdoors between April 24–May 4, 2026.
Directions

To join, first create an account on iNaturalist on your phone at www.iNaturalist.org.
Then, join our Project. You can search for our Project on the Community tab on your phone.
Search for Nature of Acton and Boxborough April 2026 or click here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/nature-of-acton-and-boxborough-2026 (Please make sure you are joining the 2026 project, not the 2025 project!)

Observations can be uploaded from April 24–May 4, 2026. But the Boston Area City Nature Challenge will only count observations from April 24 to 27, so it’s important to make observations during that time period as well. For more information about the Boston Area CNC, visit: https://www.bostoncnc.org/
There are over 2,000 acres of conservation areas in Acton and Boxborough with a variety of habitats, such as cattail marshes, ponds, open fields and dense forests. These habitats host snapping turtles, reptiles, frogs, insects, birds, mammals, and many plant species. Another 3,000 acres of private land provides habitat for wildlife, including two steps outside your door! What kind of wildlife lives here? Let’s find out this April!
Then snap away at any plant, animal or fungus you see and get it on our list. Can we break 500 species this year? Who can ID the most? Taking observations of wildlife helps advance science too! According to National Geographic, “High quality data uploaded to iNaturalist become part of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, an open source database used by scientists and policy makers around the world.”
This is a fun activity for your family and to celebrate Earth Month.
This Bioblitz is a collaboration of people from the Acton Conservation Trust, the Boxborough Conservation Trust, Energize Acton, and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office, along with individuals from Green Acton, AB Steam, Acton Men’s Outdoor Club, Congregation Beth Elohim and the Discovery Museum.

Earth Week MiniFest
2026-04-24 10:00 - 12:00 | The Red House, 468 Main St, Acton, 01720, United States
Crafts
Storytime
Free Seedlings
Tree Planting
and More!

Join the Acton Sustainability Office at the “Red House,” 468 Main Street in Acton for lots of fun family activities brought to you by municipal employees and community volunteers. Just come on over! Parking is available at Town Hall and the Acton Memorial Library.
Hooray for the Earth!

Climate Goals: Why Heat Pumps Matter
2026-04-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Massachusetts Heat Pump Targets:
Where Do We Stand and Why Are They Important?

As the MA legislature considers cutting clean energy incentives, do climate goals still matter? Join Amanda Barker, of the Green Energy Consumers Alliance, as she looks at a specific slice of the climate picture–how we heat and cool our homes and buildings. What are Massachusetts heat pump goals and are we on track to meet them? Can heat pumps work in the north? Outlining Maine’s success story with cold weather heat pumps, she looks at new Massachusetts heating and cooling solutions, including the heat pump discount rate and the New England heat pump accelerator program. Please join us for this hopeful talk about heat pumps as part of a strong, reliable energy future.
Energize Acton is celebrating heat pumps this month (ground source heat pumps—geothermal—in the Boardwalk Campus and air source heat pumps for households). Amanda’s talk will give us a bigger view as the State of Massachusetts takes on both the challenges we face and the potential for success.
Some Background
Last fall, a Massachusetts House of Representatives committee floated the idea of a significant step back from state climate goals. After an outcry from the environmental community, this winter the Mass House of Representatives passed its new proposed climate bill* that saw improvements over the fall version. However, it still includes major funding cuts to Mass Save. In effect, without an alternative to Mass Save, this is a step back from state climate targets for clean energy. (*The Massachusetts Senate will do its own version of a climate bill and the two versions, House and Senate, will have to be reconciled.)
Some voices in the media—and in the legislature—are saying that clean energy is too costly. They claim that, by cutting back on Mass Save and slowing the transition to clean energy, the state government can lower energy costs.
Massachusetts energy costs are an incredibly valid issue. The question is, “Will reducing our commitment to clean energy also reduce heating, cooling, and electricity costs for Massachusetts residents?” Energy in New England is a tough topic! But the Green Energy Consumers Alliance will lay out the argument that achieving climate goals for heat pumps and other forms of electrification will save costs in the long run and, for many, even in the short run.
Current events bring home the reality that we live in a complicated world. Committing to renewable energy brings New England a higher degree of energy stability and reliability. Plus, the western United States (really, the west of all the Americas, from Canada to Chile) just experienced an extraordinarily hot March, racing past all previous records. This reminds us that fossil fuels also have costs. As much of the world is successfully implementing clean energy, let’s remember . . . We can do this! And it could even be affordable!

Biosphere Book Club - May Title: Braiding Sweetgrass
2026-05-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants
“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.”
― Robin Wall Kimmerer

Register HERE.
Another book that has received many comments at Energize Acton book displays is Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This book has been on the New York Times bestseller list for over five years! In this age of power politics and “the art of the deal” it says something that Braiding Sweetgrass has spoken to so many people for such an extended time.
The late Jane Goodall wrote of it this way. “Robin Wall Kimmerer has written an extraordinary book, showing how the factual, objective approach of science can be enriched by the ancient knowledge of the indigenous people. It is the way she captures beauty that I love the most—the images of giant cedars and wild strawberries, a forest in the rain and a meadow of fragrant sweetgrass will stay with you long after you read the last page.”
Many of you may have already read this text or parts of it. Whether you have read it or not, we invite you to join us for a discussion of some of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s guiding principles, exploring themes such as thanksgiving, reciprocity, and our relationship to the natural world. Our last book choice, Abundance, was reviewed as a “once-in-a-generation, paradigm-shifting call.” But Braiding Sweetgrass might better fit that description! Kimmerer, a trained botanist, knows the science of plants, but she also sees them as teachers. Rather than place humans at the pinnacle of all life, her First Nations perspective teaches that “humans are the younger brothers of Creation,” with a lot to learn from other species. That is definitely a shift in outlook!
As with every Book Club text, it is great if you can read the book, but it is not required. This month will be a zoom meeting. The host will prepare a brief outline of the text with key quotes and discussion points constructed in a way that all can participate. However, if you are able to focus on a handful of chapters, please consider the chapters listed below.

Skywoman Falling
The Gift of Strawberries
Learning the Grammar of Animacy
Allegiance to Gratitude
The Honorable Harvest
The Sacred and the Superfund

Thank you for caring about the natural world and for considering our small discussion! But big themes aside, pour yourself a cup of tea or other beverage, have a good time, and join us to celebrate the written word!
Register HERE.
EnergizeActon.org is sponsored by the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office.
Would you like to help EnergizeActon.org? Contact us at EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com. We meet the first Wednesday of each month. However, there are many non-meeting ways to be involved. Thanks for your support!

Clean Energy Home Tour of the Month
2026-05-30 10:00 - 13:00 | Central Acton
See Energy Updates to a 1793 Farmhouse!
Register HERE.
The home is near Acton’s historic district, but the specific address will be sent after registration. There will be two separate tours – a 10:00am Tour and a 1:00pm Tour.
Do you have an older home? Are you thinking about replacing your oil or gas furnace with high-efficiency air source heat pumps? Come visit this historic property, with a large 1793 farmhouse, and learn about the steps taken to make this home more energy efficient, including new insulation, windows, air source heat pumps and solar panels. Your hosts are eager to share what worked, what was less successful, and what actions other residents might tackle first in their own homes. This is a great opportunity to explore the unique energy challenges that come with homes built in other eras. Plus, it is an awesome property that many of us drive past every day!
We hope that one of Acton’s Clean Energy Coaches will also be on hand for the tour. There will be a 10:00am session and a 1:00pm session. As usual, coffee and snacks will be on hand, along with the latest resources from EnergizeActon.org, including the most up-to-date information on incentives.
Register HERE.
When: Saturday, May 30th with a 10:00am tour and a 1:00pm tour.
Where: Main Street, Acton (Address sent upon registration.)
The technologies you will see in this home include:

27 panel rooftop solar system;
3 air source heat pumps (ducted);
Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV);
Ultra efficient heat pump hot water heater;
Rehabilitated historical windows with storms;
Induction stove and energy star appliances;
EV (2017 Tesla) and level 2 car charger;
Fireplace with top sealing damper and makeup air vent;
24W backup generator with critical-loads electrical panel; and
Water conservation measures inside and out.

After registration you will receive an email with the house address and specific information about parking, etc. Thank you for your interest!
EnergizeActon.org is co-sponsored by the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office.
Do you have ideas or a talent you would like to contribute? Please contact us at EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com. The Energize Acton team meets the 1st Wednesday of each month.

Acton Emergency Preparedness Fair
2026-06-16 17:00 - 19:00 | NARA Park Bathhouse Pavilion, 75 Quarry Rd, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Be More Resilient in the Face of Emergencies!
Acton’s Emergency Preparedness Fair is an opportunity to learn a few basics about preparedness, including the types of emergencies we might expect in our area. Explore how residents can be ready for power outages and how to be more resilient in the face of weather extremes, such as windstorms, rain “training” and flash floods, heat waves, and even fire or hurricanes. Find out how to build a ‘go kit’, what supplies you might need to have on hand for different situations, and what extra preparations are needed for kids, pets, and older adults. Please come and share your questions with Town employees and local preparedness organizations.

The event features demonstrations, giveaway items, and preparation resources, along with free food and fun activities for the kids. Find us under the eaves at the NARA Park Bathhouse Pavilion, next to the beach.

In the aftermath of an emergency, access to critical supplies may be limited. Find out how we can be better prepared, not just as individuals and families, but as a community. Indeed, as other United States and international emergencies have shown, our changing climate means that we must learn to rely on each other in new ways. The Acton Emergency Preparedness Fair is way to strengthen communication and cooperation as we move forward.
This event is sponsored by various Acton Town departments–the Sustainability Office, the Fire Department, and the Health & Human Services Department. Come by rain or shine.

The NARA Park Bathhouse is located at the first parking lot next to the pond.
Please join us! Drop in any time!

From Gas Pumps to Charging Stations: EV Basics for Everyday Drivers
2026-06-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Now Is the Time to Go Electric!
With local gas prices climbing toward $4.50 a gallon, the financial case for making the switch to an electric vehicle has never been stronger. Charging an EV at home on Eversource East costs the equivalent of just $2.80 per gallon – saving drivers roughly 38% per mile. And the savings don’t stop at the pump. Because EVs eliminate oil changes, spark plugs, and complex exhaust systems, they cost 30–50% less to maintain over their lifespan than gas-powered cars. All told, drivers can expect around $4,000 in total cost-of-ownership savings over the first five years.
Although the supply of new EV models is a bit unpredictable at the moment, there are still great options out there. And do not forget the used EV market, where most vehicles are also eligible for the Massachusetts MOR-EV incentives ($3500). The volunteer inputting this information just turned in a 2023 Kia EV6 with only 17,000 miles. A wonderful vehicle at a HUGE savings. We bought a 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 to replace the leased car and got a very good deal on the new vehicle. Please do not let our topsy-turvy market circumstances prevent you from finding a vehicle that you will love!
Whether you’re looking to purchase or lease, now is a great time to lock in immediate, predictable savings. Hear directly from EV drivers, get your questions answered, and take the next step to going electric. Register for the MassEnergize online webinar on June 17, 2026, 7–8pm: www.bit.ly/EV-101.
And stay tuned for the EnergizeActon.org EV Petting Zoo coming up in July. This is a wonderful yearly event for EV drives to meet up, plus potential EV drivers can check out the cars and ask lots of questions!

It's Electric! EVs, Your Home & More
2026-07-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Acton Memorial Library, 586 Main Street, Room Main Meeting Room, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Apologies, this event is POSTPONED due to the heat emergency. Please stay tuned for a new date!
Electric vehicle ownership is surging internationally. Talk with local EV drives about why!
Worldwide, households are going electric. Visit the Eversource “Energy Efficiency Experience” truck and find out how electric home heating, cooling, and appliances are healthier, more efficient, and more renewable.
OK, a lot of EV hype has disappeared from the U.S. marketplace, but electric vehicle owners still love their vehicles! With zero emissions, high performance, and low maintenance costs, EVs are fun to own. And, of course, they are critical to the effort to address our warming climate. Here in Massachusetts, there are good rebates for both new and used electric cars and trucks, plus the new managed home charging saves folks even more money compared to the gas pumps.
And this year, our EV Meet-Up will be joined by the Eversource “Energy Efficiency Experience” truck, where you can learn about other electric advances that can save you money at home, from smart thermostats to battery storage.
This celebration of EVs and all things electric is a chance for you to talk with local EV drivers and other experts, see a variety of electric vehicles—passenger models from Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet, Subaru, Kia, Hyundai, and more–along with electric vehicles purchased by the Town of Acton. We welcome all of you who are thinking about an electric vehicle. Plus, we welcome current EV drivers and folks who have recently purchased an EV. Please come and share your experiences. You can sign up to join us or simply come by!
Register HERE.
Resources will also be available addressing the following topics.

2026 EV pricing
Massachusetts incentives for new and used EVs
Increasing range of electric vehicles
Battery updates
Cost and incentives for home charging
Maintenance savings
Regenerative breaking
Vehicle handling

Look for special tips about the growing used EV market and other helpful organizations, such as the Drive Green program.
One Michigan car aficionado and EV driver, Jamie Racklyeft, wrote earlier this year, “I’m on my fourth EV now and I’m not going back: A 2025 international survey of 27,000+ EV drivers found 93% would choose another battery-electric EV, while only 1% would return to gas or diesel. . . So yes, 2026 may feel quieter than the hype years. But quieter isn’t weaker. It’s steadier. And steadiness is how lasting change actually takes hold.”
Thank you so much for your interest and expertise!
This event is part of our 2026 Climate Café summer series. The Climate Cafés aim to be an informal, helpful gathering place where Acton residents can discuss a fossil fuel free future, share experiences with clean energy technologies, and look at lifestyle choices that make a difference for our planet. Our next Climate Café is the “Celebration of Plant-Based Foods” community potluck picnic at the NARA Park Picnic Pavilion on Wednesday, July 22nd, from 6:00-8:00pm.
EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office. Interested in lending a skill? Contact us HERE. We meet the 1st Wednesday of each month.

Celebration of Plant-Based Meals!
2026-07-22 18:00 - 20:00 | NARA Park Pavilions, Acton, NARA Park Pavilions, Unit 25 Ledge Rock Way, Acton, Massachusetts, US
You can do something about our climate!
Eat more plant-based meals!

We all share one activity that can have a significant impact on climate change—the food we eat! Eating more plant-based meals is an immediate and DELICIOUS way to put less CO2 into the atmosphere. Making changes to your eating habits can be done at your own pace and with little financial investment. Plus, you get to celebrate the amazing bounty of the plant world!
Please join Energize Acton and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office for our 4th Annual Celebration of Plant-Based Meals. Everyone is asked to contribute to this potluck picnic, so please bring a dish based on veggies, fruit, grains, beans, or nuts. Your contribution can be as simple or as complicated as you like. Are you on the run between soccer games? Bring a bag of cashews! Are you a vegan chef? We look forward to a non-dairy extravaganza! Any vegetarian or vegan dish is welcome. The idea is to sample favorite plant-based recipes from across the community and to give thanks for the miracle of plants.
Besides food, if possible, we ask you might bring a few other items.

Two copies of your recipe;
Your favorite veggie cookbook or name of a favorite cooking website (just to share for the evening);
A napkin and cup.

We are trying to make this a low-waste event and the Church of the Good Shepherd has generously offered to let us borrow plates and cutlery from their plastics-free kitchen. We will have back-up cups and napkins, so no worries, but we thank you for helping keep trash to a minimum.
We hope to have at least one food demo to entertain us. Plus, inspired by the book, Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, our theme will be “Plants as Teachers.” We will have 2-3 special displays about edible plants that make a difference in the world today.
Registration is helpful but not required.
Register HERE.

EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office.

Biosphere Book Club - July Title: Here Comes the Sun
2026-07-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Address shared upon registration, Strawberry Hill Rd, Acton, MA
Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization
By Bill McKibben

“No one has done more to raise the alarm about climate change or to address the problem than Bill McKibben. In Here Comes the Sun, he shows that we all have the technologies we need to move forward. If any book could make a thinking person hopeful about the future, this is it.”
― Elizabeth Kolbert, author of The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History
“Compelling… A paean to the emerging dominance of renewable energy.”
― Kirkus Reviews

If you are a clean energy advocate in the U.S., it is easy to feel discouraged in the present moment. The current administration has been extraordinarily successful in undermining forward progress on renewable energy. The powers-that-be seem determined to squeeze every last penny of profit from fossil fuels, no matter the costs to our economy, our health, or our climate.
And yet one of the country’s major voices in the fight to address climate warming, Bill McKibben, sees reasons to be hopeful. In much of the rest of the world, the adoption of solar power is surging ahead. From China to Pakistan to Egypt, solar projects are generating significant energy. This year, one very small country—Vatican City—will be the first country to more entirely off fossil fuels. When Bill McKibben was at the Vatican to mark the 10th anniversary of St. Francis’s encyclical on climate change, Laudato ‘Si (On Care for Our Common Home), McKibben quipped “Let’s henceforth concentrate on energy from Heaven, not from Hell.”
In Here Comes the Sun, will we find inspiration from the rest of the world? Can we find ways, both at the grassroots and institutional levels, to recover the solar momentum for this country? Please join the July edition of the Biosphere Book Club and share your thoughts on Bill McKibben’s latest book. As with every Book Club choice, it is great if you can read the book, but it is not required. The host will prepare a brief outline of the text with key quotes and discussion points constructed in such a way that all can participate.
For the July session, facilitator Karen invites you to an in-person picnic version of the Biosphere Book Club. Come enjoy cool beverages and summer bounty to spark our brain power. We will start at 6:00pm to facilitate both eating and reflecting. The address will be sent when you register. We plan to be outdoors if the weather cooperates.
Register HERE.
