Above: The Town’s Planet Palooza starts on Earth Day. (images cropped from Rotary’s and OSPC’s flyers)
Reminder — The annual Earth Day Cleanup this Saturday will kick off Southborough’s Planet Palooza.
On Sunday, the Open Space Preservation Commission is hosting an outdoor concert to celebrate Earth Day. Other Palooza events to follow over the week, including an outdoor concert and garden tour that are postponed to next weekend.
Below are all the details.
(You can also find other Earth Day activities in Southborough not tied to the Planet Palooza here.)
The OSPC invites:
Starting April 22nd join the Southborough Open Space Preservation Commission (OSPC), Southborough Open Land Foundation (SOLF) The Rotary Club of Southborough the Southborough Trails Committee and Stewardship Committee, Conservation Commission, and the Southborough Library in a week of activities Celebrating Earth Day. . .
Throughout the week there will be numerous activities sponsored by a multitude of town organizations all under the Planet Palooza umbrella.
April Promotions
The Palooza is again dedicated to the memory of Southborough Naturalist Linda Hubley.
The Linda Hubley Memorial Scholarship fundraiser
ongoing
The Scholarship Committee is promoting raising funds for the scholarship that will be again awarded to “a student who has demonstrated a commitment to their community through volunteerism, environmental protection and/or ongoing education in these areas.”
To donate online, click here. (For a mailing address, open the pdf here.)
4th Annual Earth Day Poster Contest
Submit now through May 1st
The Conservation Commissions of Southborough and Northborough are hosting their third annual poster contest for kids and teens (grades K to 12th grade). Posters will be judged based on creativity and relation to this years theme (Invest In Our Planet) and Earth Day (sustainability, recycling, trees, water, etc.!)
Posters should be hand drawn posters on standard (8½ x 11″) paper. One prize will be picked from each school in the Northborough and Southborough school districts. Home-schooled children are also encouraged to apply and will be grouped in appropriate age group. (Scroll down for info on how to submit your poster.)*
Check out the Southborough Library’s nature-based books
During the Library’s regular hours
Books chosen specifically by the Library Staff to support Earth Day will be featured on the endcaps in the non-fiction section. Sponsored by the Southborough Library.
(While you’re there, you can also check out the Library’s Seed Exchange. It’s not part of the Planet Palooza initiative, but it’s certainly consistent with the theme!)
Special Events
31st Annual Earth Day Cleanup
Saturday, April 22, 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Start out at the DPW building (by the Transfer Station) to sign up, choose a location and pick up trash bags. Then go out to your assigned area to pick up trash. Sponsored by the Southborough Rotary Club.
Free treats and coffee will be available starting in the morning and a pizza lunch will follow at the Library at noon. (Rain Date of April 23rd — but the forecast is looking pretty good for this Saturday.)
For details, see dedicated post.
Eastern Coyote/Coywolf
Thursday, April 27, 7:00 pm
Southborough Open Land Foundation is bringing in an expert on coyotes that live in our region. The presentation will take place at the Southborough Library.
Prior to the presentation, the author, Dr. Jonathan Way will be selling books. For details, see dedicated post.
Cancelled – Outdoor Earth Day Celebration Concert
Postponed to Saturday, April 29, 12:00 – 1:00 pm (New date TBD)*
Bring chairs or blankets to the Southborough Library grounds for this outdoor concert with Folk Singer Claire Dacey.
“Claire is an award-winning folk singer/songwriter and instrumentalist with a voice reminiscent of the legendary female folk singers of the 60’s and 70’s. A seasoned musician, she writes and performs moving, original songs in a genuine, openhearted style, with a focus on the inner life and our connection to the natural world.”
Cancelled – Garden Talk & Tour
Postponed to Saturday, April 29, 1:00 – 2:00 pm (New date TBD)*
Immediately following the 1-hour concert, OSPC will showcase its Pollination Preservation Garden on the Southborough Library’s grounds.
“We will describe the plants chosen for both ecological benefit and beauty and go over next steps for the gardens as well as citizen science and volunteer opportunities. OSPC will also go over how you can participate in the Winter Sow Project to grow these same plants at home.”
Cancelled – Town Forest Nature Walks
Sunday, April 30, 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm (New date TBD)*
“Join us to get to know the trails, learn about native wildlife, observe and identify Plants, Trees, and signs of animals.”
To register, click here. Sponsored by the Stewardship and Trails Committees with support of a Choate Fund Grant.
*As promised above, below are the details for submitting your Earth Day poster:
You can mail in your poster or drop it by the Conservation office. In Southborough, that’s:
Melissa Danza
Southborough Conservation Commission
Lower Level, Cordaville Hall
9 Cordaville Road
Southborough, MA 01772
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
On the back of the poster, please have the following information labeled clearly:
Name & age
Grade & School
Phone number and/or email (can be
student or guardian)
For questions, please call 508-281-8984 or
email Melissa at mdanza@southboroughma.com
Updated (4/20/23 4:21 pm): this Sunday’s are postponed, one week due to the forecast rain.
Updated (4/21/23 7:35 am): I just learned that the rain dates had been misprinted. The Concert and Garden Talk were moved to Saturday, April 29th. New flyers are included.
*Updated (4/28/23 7:56 am): Due to the forecast rain this weekend —the Garden Tour & Concert and the Town Forest Walks are cancelled. Stay tuned for new dates.
