The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutLexington Conservation Division Newsletter Nov 2021Lexington Conservation Caring for our public land (tea colored water and foam @ Meagerville. Photo credit: Andrei Radulescu-Banu) Foam. Naturally occurring or pollution? Have you come across tea colored water or suds in a river or stream? This phenomenon is usually due to natural seasonal processes, and is not due to environmental pollution. At the end of the season, when plants decompose the oils and tannins they contained are released and float to the surface. Water turbulence introduces air into the mix and bubbles form. It is quite common to find foamy dark colored streams during late fall and winter, when plant materials are decomposing in the water. Some foam in water can indicate pollution. When deciding if the foam is natural consider the following: Wind direction or turbulence Wind direction or turbulence (is the foamonly found downstream of turbulence?)Proximity to a potential pollution source Proximity to a potential pollution source (is there a construction site nearby?) Composition Composition (are there decomposingplants or organic material in the water?) Idylwilde Community Garden Coordinator Needed for 2022! Our current Community Garden Coordinator, who has helped the Community Gardens flourish for the past eight years, will be stepping down at the end of the 2021 season and we are looking for one or two people to fill this role going forward. If you are interested in volunteering for this position, email Conservation Coordinator, Amber Carr acarr@lexingtonma.govacarr@lexingtonma.gov Feeling Feeling (natural foam is usually persistent, light, and not slimy) Willards Woods Public Meeting! The Conservation Commission will be reviewing the Willards Woods Ecological Land Management and Design Plan on 11/15/2021 @ 7:00 PM.11/15/2021 @ 7:00 PM. JOIN US VIA ZOOM! https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89094143710?https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89094143710? pwd=K29hVnp3WUU2QmtuQ0VVYUJ6djNtQpwd=K29hVnp3WUU2QmtuQ0VVYUJ6djNtQ T09T09 Webinar ID: 890 9414 3710 Passcode: 477643 Read About the Project Voice(s) WantedVoice(s) Wanted Do you have a secret desire to capture your voice in history? OrDo you have a secret desire to capture your voice in history? Or do you have a friend that comes to mind?do you have a friend that comes to mind? Conservation staff are wrapping up a wayside panel to install at the observation platform at Cotton Farm Conservation Area. Since we are trying to make the content of the sign accessible to as many people as possible, we want to include a QR code linked to an audio file so people are able to hear the content if they are visually impaired. We would also like to make an audio recording available in Mandarin. If you would like to volunteer your voice - please contact our Conservation Coordinator, Amber Carr. acarr@lexingtonma.govacarr@lexingtonma.gov Stormwater Pollution Prevention Tips For Homeowners: Pick up after your pets Compost yard waste (leaves and grass clippings) Throw out trash in tied- garbage bags Don’t put loose debris in truck beds Have regular maintenance performed on your vehicle and septic system Use fertilizer/insecticides sparingly Re-direct downspouts towards yards Leave the Leaves! Provide habitat for local wildlife, save time and money by leaving the leaves on your property. They provide nutritious mulch, overwintering habitat for insects and other wildlife, and you spend less energy and money collecting and sending leaves elsewhere. Read more here!Read more here! Native Or Cultivar? What Is A Cultivar? Cultivars have been selectively bred by humans for aesthetic preferences. They are propagated by various asexual means, including division and tissue culture. That means, all plants belonging to a given cultivar are genetically identical. Why Does It Matter? Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' Cultivars are often less ecologically functional than natural species because the aesthetic characteristics they were selected for, come at the cost of ecologically important plant structures such as fertile flowers. CultivarsCultivars contribute no genetic diversity to thecontribute no genetic diversity to the populations of species from which they werepopulations of species from which they were derived, and do not contribute to resiliencederived, and do not contribute to resilience within the landscapewithin the landscape. Ecologically Functional Plants: Feed insects, which pollinate the vast majority of flowering plants Provide food and habitat for wildlife Contribute to diversity among and within species by Dan Jaffe (c) Native Plant Trust You can recognize that a plant is a cultivar by looking for a name placed in single quotes after the plant’s latin name, e.g.: Sweet PepperbushSweet Pepperbush Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’ American ArborvitaeAmerican Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis ‘Green Giant’ List of Native Plants and Vendors Upcoming Events Meadow Preservation @Meadow Preservation @ Daisy Wilson MeadowDaisy Wilson Meadow Sunday October 31st 9 A.M.-12 P.M.Sunday October 31st 9 A.M.-12 P.M. Sunday November 21st 9 A.M.-12 P.M.Sunday November 21st 9 A.M.-12 P.M. Join our Lead Stewards to continue work to reclaim meadow at Daisy Wilson Meadow. Bring your own gloves, snack and water all other materials will be provided. Park along Moreland Avenue and meet at the trailhead. Lead Steward: Bonnie Newman bjnewman@rcn.combjnewman@rcn.com Citizens for Lexington Conservation Walks Register and find out more Turkey Trot Walk @ Whipple Hill 11/27 1:00- 3:00pm11/27 1:00- 3:00pm Work off the excesses of your Thanksgiving dinner by joining CLC as it revives its annual Turkey Trot walk. Whipple Hill is especially scenic when the trees have lost their leaves revealing Whipple Hill’s rugged landscape features and extensive stone walls. Befitting the highest spot in Lexington, there are extensive views in all directions from the bare summit. The trails are rugged with many ups and downs so hiking boots and walking sticks recommended. Meet at the Johnson Road entrance on Winchester Drive. Park on Johnson Road as the parking lot is small. Heavy rain or snow cancels. Walk Leader: Keith Ohmart (781-862-6216, kohmart@verizon.netkohmart@verizon.net) Have something to share?Have something to share? This is the place for all things stewardship in Lexington, including upcoming volunteer work events, newly completed projects, local trainings and educational events, as well as news from the Lexington Conservation Office. Please e-mail landstewards@lexingtonma.gov, with submissions for our next edition. Did a friend forward you this newsletter? Sign up here by choosing Conservation News and Events! Lexington Conservation781-698-4532EmailEmail WebsiteWebsite Connect with usConnect with us Town of Lexington, MA | 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420 Unsubscribe sdugan@lexingtonma.gov Update Profile |About Constant Contact Sent bylandstewards@lexingtonma.govin collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!