The Owl is grateful to have an easy morning of reporting because the Town Communications Officer (not sure exact title) has created an online newsletter that it is impossible to better. The Owl can now take early retirement, a dog walk, a run with a friend, and then watch a soccer game rather than doing any work today. Secretly, the Owl is also using the day to plan Weston domination by zinnia garden as the Owl and a certain Select Board member are in a competition to the death, a zinnia throwdown.

Earth Month–what is it? It’s Weston getting its act together to lower its carbon footprint, restore some happy little plants and animals, and generally make things better for Mother Earth. The 2021 theme is “Restore Our Earth.” There is so much going on this month that the Owl is going to send out the information in smaller chunks, or owl pellets if you will. If this whets your appetite for more, please go to the town website here.

Important Dates:

The 4th Annual Town-wide Cleanup is the week of April 11th. It’s easy to participate – just grab a bag and start picking up litter in your neighborhood. Post the pics on the public Weston Town Cleanup Facebook page.

The Pay As You Throw Working Group is presenting its report to the Select Board on April 13th.

The public comment period for the Weston Ahead Climate Action & Resilience Plan will open the week of April 14th.

The Weston AIC is holding its annual Bike Repair Clinic on the Town Green on April 17th from 1 – 4pm.

Weston Forest & Trail Association is planning a Garlic Mustard Annihilation Clinic also on April 17, details TBD.

Land’s Sake is hosting its virtual Earth Day again this year.

Land’s Sake will host an Earth Day event on April 24th.

Weston PTO Green Committee and Parent Education are hosting an online event on April 14th to discuss how to manage your spring cleanouts, indoors and out, more sustainably. Register in advance.

Arbor Day is April 30th – Tree Advisory Group and the Country School will be planting some trees

Weston Forest and Trail Association is hosting a Town Center walk with the Garden Club on May 2nd.

++++

So what’s on your calendar? If you’re like the Owl, you are raring to go on planting. Gardening tips provided by the town are below. If you really want to get better at Restoring Earth, consider not letting your landscaping crew blow every last leaf out of your beds and shrubberies–there is all kinds of life getting started there, and by disturbing it, not only are you launching caterpillars into outerspace by large smelly carbon-producing leaf blower, but you are affecting the animals who rely on these tasty protein snacks. It’s all interconnected, folks.

Consider also participating in No-Mow May when you completely ignore the fact that your lawn has become a dandelion and violet forest — these are early food snacks for the pollinators–don’t kill them. You can find out more about No-Mow May here.

For some fun No-Mow and Pollinator tips from the Wes-TEN, Weston’s local not-totally-the-news show, please check out the Weston Media episode here.

In addition, the town has provided the following gardening tips:

Gardening Tips

The weather out there is getting nice and it might be making a few itchy to get out and do some gardening. Cynthia Chapra, member of the Weston Garden Club and Conservation Commission, has a series of videos on Weston Media Center that discusses gardening. Here are a few to get you started:

• Episode 1 – an introduction
• Episode 3 – winter pruning
• Episode 4 – making a green wood cloche
• Episode 5 – all about pruning shears

To further help your gardening inspirations, a little yard clean up may be necessary. The town’s Brush Dump opens on April 10th for four consecutive Saturdays. All you need is a Recycle Only permit to gain access to piles of free woodchips and composted soil. And, you can leave your yard waste here, too.

If you are in the planning phases of your gardening hopes, the Weston Plant Pollinator Alliance has a helpful guide to promote pollinator survival in your yard.

Did you know the Conservation Commission has a Tree/Shrub Replacement Guide that is very helpful for anyone looking to plant native trees and shrubs?

+++

If this all seems overwhelming, start small. Head over to the Native Plant Trust and find a few plants to put in a perfect sunny or part-shade or whatever spot. Hang a hummingbird feeder. Read. Learn. One small step forward for each of us is a giant leap for Weston.

Happy Earth Month!