Leave it to beavers: Industrious critters get spotlight at OARS fest
A new exhibit and series of events will highlight the animals — and the rivers they inhabit — during a five-day festival.
Known for shaping wetlands mainly under cover of night, beavers will take on a more visible role in Acton next week.
A new exhibit and series of events will highlight the animals — and the rivers they inhabit — during a five-day festival hosted by OARS.
From April 22 to 26, the environmental organization will present its 18th annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival, expanded this year into multiple days of programming to mark both Earth Day and OARS’ 40th anniversary.
“We’re really building it out,” said Community Engagement Coordinator Grace Bellavance. “It takes the theme of those environmental short films of previous years and expands it over five days instead of just one night.”
A centerpiece of the week is Beaver Life, a photography exhibit opening April 24 at Wright Tavern. Featuring images by local photographers, the exhibit focuses on beavers and other wetland wildlife and will remain on display for a month. A themed “Beavers & Beer” event will follow at the tavern the next day.
The festival opens April 22 at Acton Academy with a discussion on the Assabet, Acton, and Sudbury Rivers’ Wild and Scenic designation.
Other events throughout the week include a reading of “The Noisy Puddle” by author Linda Booth Sweeney, along with a scavenger hunt through Acton Center that invites participants to spot animal photos featured in the book.
‘Available to all ages’
“It’s geared toward kids, but really available to all ages,” Bellavance said. “It’s a fun way to get people into local businesses and thinking about wetland species at the same time.”
An outdoor screening at The Robbins House will feature the film “Seeds,” which explores Black farmers and land ownership, along with additional short films.
Along with Saturday’s Wright Tavern beaver beer garden, the day’s events include an immersive river installation that Bellavance called “a multi-sensory walkthrough” and the festival’s signature short film screenings, which have been moved from Maynard to Acton this year.
“It’s a really cool way to showcase our rivers in a different light,” Bellavance said. “Some of these events might feel a little different from what we’ve done before, but that’s part of what makes it exciting.”
The festival concludes April 26 with a wetlands walk hosted in partnership with Acton Land Conservation Trust and Thoreau Farm, followed by a closing gathering at South Bridge Boat House.
Organizers hope the expanded festival will draw residents and visitors alike for a week that blends environmental awareness with small-town connection.
“There’s something for everyone,” Bellavance said. “We really want to celebrate the vibrancy of the town and get people engaged with the rivers in different ways.”
