Association to Preserve Cape Cod - this week... |
Portanimicut, South Orleans. Photo by Sue Machie
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| Fiddlers by Andrew Gottlieb, Executive Director
To paraphrase, we fiddle while Yosemite, the American Southwest, Europe, and pretty much anyplace else where it is summer, burns. We now know that the Congress will not pass legislation in response to the climate crisis. That reality, which with the benefit of hindsight has been clear for months, has landed with a thud in the middle of this summer of discontent. The focus of the anger has been directed at Joe Manchin and, while a lot of it is both well-earned and deserved, it’s also lazy and unproductive.
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Congressional climate inaction is the result of systemic problems within the institution and with the American electorate. The oddity of a 50/50 Senate gives any one Democrat an oversized influence over what passes. Sure, Manchin has bludgeoned the president’s climate plans with the club he has been handed, but he is nothing more than a mere symptom of the disease. Listening to David Brooks praise Manchin’s actions the other day, a commentary I otherwise found enraging, he made the good point that concerns over inflation don’t mean that you can’t have policy objectives. What seems to be dooming us now on climate is that in the absence of a real energy and climate policy we have proxy war fights over legislation that are really about a broader ideological struggle. The result is status quo. The problem really is that in this instance, doing nothing is really doing something and that something is a continuation of practices that are clearly bad for the long-term well-being of humanity.
I don’t have a Nobel Prize in economics, but neither does Senator Whip Inflation Now (sorry for the nostalgia trip to the Carter administration). It is hard for me to believe that an economy more reliant on clean energy and electric cars wouldn’t be less susceptible to the oil price shocks from Russian war-making that created the high gas prices driving inflation than the economy we have now. In a sane world where we had a real policy on climate and energy, the discussion would be how, not if, to achieve our aims while lowering inflationary pressures. Such a fantastical feeling place would allow us to have a Congress that solves problems and not one that in the name of not worsening a problem (inflation) it is otherwise doing nothing to fix or do anything to deal with climate. In the long run, paying for the response to climate disaster has more long-term fiscal implications than current gas prices will.
In the end, Congress is what we all allow it to be. Because the system held, even just barely, on January 6, we still elect those empowered to make decisions on our behalf. So, my friends, it all comes back to us, as it always does. You have a voice, use it. You have a vote, use it. Be mad at Joe Manchin if you want. I am. But unless you do something about it at the ballot box, your anger will be wasted. I assure you, Manchin doesn’t care. Neither does Josh Hawley or Ted Cruz. They and others like them are already in power somewhere waiting for his or her chance to take advantage of the opportunity we continue to allow them to have to work against our best interests.
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APCC, along with Horsley Witten Group, Inc. and town staff, were out completing field assessments of public boat ramps this past week looking for opportunities to better manage stormwater. This assessment includes twenty sites across ten towns. The output of this field work will be conceptual designs for stormwater systems that will capture and remove pollution from runoff, helping to improve water quality in Cape freshwater ponds and coastal estuaries. This project is funded by an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Southeast New England Program Watershed Grant in collaboration with Restore America's Estuaries.
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APCC's Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program ~ want to give support? |
The Gannett Foundation's A Community Thrives crowdfunding and grant program will support APCC's cyanobacteria monitoring program - we just need to raise $6,000 our our end. To contribute to this particular program, do so online at MightyCause.com. Read about it in the Cape Cod Times.
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Pond group volunteers help make APCC's cyanobacteria monitoring program work! They make observations and collect pond samples that APCC staff analyze for cyanobacteria.
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Registration is open.
The OneCape Summit, presented annually by the Cape Cod Commission, is a regional forum for information, collaboration, and innovation across major policy issues and areas. Attendees will hear from thought-provoking speakers and learn from peers engaged in efforts to address housing, climate change, water quality, and economic challenges. |
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Our Freshwater Ponds ~ The Jewels of Cape Cod |
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| Reflections on Dean's Pond by Ann Zmudsky
Within the heart of the Popponesset beach community, there exists a freshwater treasure, Dean's Pond. This sparkling beauty graces the natural surroundings of a family-oriented community. The pond boasts some fame among locals for being one of the few national freshwater ponds located so closely to the Atlantic Ocean. It has one mile of shoreline and is surrounded by land in private ownership.
Historically, families flocked to the quaint cottages of Popponesset that surrounded Dean’s Pond as early the 1940s. However, Dean’s Pond offers so much more than historical facts or statistics. Those that have grown up around Dean's Pond have been gifted many memories and adventures that have been foundational building blocks to their childhood and adolescence. Perhaps most importantly, these experiences have contributed to who they have become as adults.
Over the years, Dean’s Pond has been a wonderful meeting place for like-minded individuals who enjoy exploring wildlife and engaging in outdoor activities. The walking/hiking path that surrounds the pond offers exploration, solitude, and a respectful study of nature. Its seasonal beauty is revered by the community but also by both local artists and photographers. Family and friends share many memories and stories that tie the community together.
The pond is separated at its midpoint by a picturesque footbridge which offers direct access to some awesome venues such as Popponesset Inn, Popponesset Market Place, and of course to Sandy Beach. In the summer months, the bridge is a busy byway where it provides a haven for residents to catch up with friends. It has been said that many first kisses originated among adolescents at the Dean’s Pond bridge. Young and old have witnessed the presence of “Big Ben,” an enormous friendly snapping turtle who has made his home under the bridge. Big Ben is well fed by his human constituents, but beware, caution reminds those that cross the bridge not to dangle their toes in the pond! His appearance every summer is legendary, and he truly has become the Mascot of Deans Pond.
Dean's Pond is a vibrant ecosystem for many types of plants and animals. During the hot summer months, the sun shimmers on the pond’s surface and the air becomes filled with the scents of beach roses, honeysuckle, and water lilies. Wild blackberries and blueberries hide amongst the foliage of the pond. On early morning excursions, one may observe deer tracks, fox prints, or a secret viewing of an adorable otter as they walk around the foot path of the pond. The hum of crickets and grasshoppers singing can also be heard. Herons and cormorants as well as other bird life are provided shelter among the cattails and foliage.
Summer stories are shared, often during many recreational activities for both children and adults.
Grandparents and parents have the opportunity to teach countless lessons to their children about the secrets of nature, wildlife and fishing. At young ages, children learned how to bait a hook on a simple fishing pole. They practice how to remove a fish from the line and then dutifully return the fish back into the shimmering water. Children learn to readily identify bass, pickerel, sunfish, and perch that the pond nurtures in its currents. Many children are awed and proud by learning how to skip their first stones.
Read the full story here. |
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Pond Stories are a collection of writings and other media from Cape Codders and visitors who love the almost 1,000 local ponds that dot the Cape. We hope this collection of stories awakens your inner environmentalist to think deeper about our human impacts to these unique bodies of water. |
Send us your favorite pond photo, story, poem, video, artwork--we want to share with everyone why the Cape's ponds and lakes are so special! Email your pond connection to [email protected] |
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Water Use Restrictions Posted in Your Town?
How about a rain barrel (or two) to harvest rainwater for your garden! |
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| APCC Rain Barrel Program
$99 includes delivery to your door via FedEx.
Upcycle Products repurposes food barrels, otherwise destined for the landfill, to make these rain barrels. Choose your color - gray, black, blue, or terracotta. For more information and to order online,
CLICK HERE. For a how-to-use video, check this out from
Brewster Conservation Trust! |
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A Cape Cod Native Plant-finder ~ to help you choose the perfect native plant for your garden location. |
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Little Bluestem - Schizachyrium scoparium |
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Email [email protected], 482 Main St, Dennis, MA 02638
and we'll send you a CapeCodNativePlants.org decal. |
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Looking for a speaker? Check out APCC's Speakers Bureau. APCC staff speak on a variety of topics and are available by Zoom. If interested, please contact the staff person directly to make arrangements. |
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Are you thinking of going solar? We hope so! In partnership with SUNPOWER BY E2 SOLAR in Dennis, APCC receives $500 for every solar installation when APCC is named as referral. |
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| Thank you to the homeowners who just contracted to install solar panels through E2 Solar. May the sun always shine for you! |
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| Every cup of coffee you drink could be supporting APCC's work and a local Cape Cod business.
But ONLY if it's Coastal Cape Blend from Cape Cod Coffee!
Order online. A portion of the proceeds for every bag of Coastal Cape Blend sold is donated to APCC. It's important to know that Cape Cod Coffee sources beans are Fair Trade & Rainforest Alliance certified,
and grown without the use of pesticides. |
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Expressions Gallery 578 Main Street, Chatham
CLICK HERE |
Cape Cod Businesses ~ Cape Cod photography to enrich the workplace
Ocean to Office. APCC has partnered with EXPRESSIONS, a fine art photography gallery located in Chatham center, to provide Cape businesses the opportunity to beautify their offices with coastal photography while directly supporting protection of our cherished environment. This special offering gives back to APCC. CLICK HERE to learn more. |
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Thank you to our business sponsors |
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