Association to Preserve Cape Cod - this week... |
Skaket Beach. Photo by Sue Machie |
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Carolina Dreamin' by Andrew Gottlieb, Executive Director |
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If I wanted to live in the Carolinas, I would. I have chosen not to, but the heat of the last several weeks sure makes it feel like the Carolinas have come to me. Climate change models have predicted for years that the climate of the Northeast would become more like the mid-Atlantic. It certainly feels like the models were right. Added to the heat is the severe drought we have been experiencing. Combined, the heat and drought have made it hard on people, on plants and animals. We are seeing lower water levels in ponds and streams across the Cape.
The shift in climate is real, and while the weather will remain variable, it is indisputable that the climate is now the warmest it has ever been in recorded human history. Climate and weather are related, but they are not the same. “Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get.” Remember that the next time that the remaining climate deniers use a cold day to make the argument that the climate isn’t warming.
Amid the bad news of weeks of oppressive heat, there are bright spots. A national legislative response to the climate changes we are experiencing appears ready to become law, perhaps as soon as this week. Is it perfect? No. But it doesn’t need to be perfect to be progress. National legislative action on climate is long overdue, and this pending federal act is the much needed first step. Progress is something to be celebrated, and it will serve as the foundation for needed further legislation. Also of note is significant climate legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Baker. Massachusetts has a long tradition of passing incremental improvements to climate laws and the bill before Governor Baker is another step forward and we are hopeful that the Governor signs the bill into law.
None of what is on the table now prevents the further changes to the climate prompted by the historic release of greenhouse gasses from occurring. It is my expectation that summers for the rest of my life will be more like this one than the summers of my youth. I do have reason to believe that my children and their kids (rhetorical--not public pressuring!) will be able to enjoy a climate that will be more like what Cape Cods’ has historically been and not what it is becoming. For the first time, there is now a legitimate basis for that hope to be justified. That feels good and it’s a reminder of why who we vote for, and why we vote for them, matters.
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Let's Get the Climate Bill Over the Finish Line! |
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Please call Gov. Baker today and ask him to sign House Bill 5060 into law. The State Legislature passed a climate bill on July 21, which Gov. Baker sent back with suggested amendments. The Legislature accepted some of the governor’s amendments, rejected others, and passed the revised bill.
Gov. Baker has until Thursday night to sign the bill into law. So far, Gov. Baker hasn’t indicated whether he will sign the bill or veto it. We need to let the governor know this important climate bill has broad public support. Call Gov. Baker at 617-725-4005. Ask him to sign the bill. Here’s a sample message: Hello, my name is _______ and I live in ______ (your town). I’m calling to ask Governor Baker to please sign the climate bill—House Bill 5060—into law. [If you wish, you can add a short sentence about why the bill matters to you.] | |
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If signed into law, this bill would help keep Massachusetts on the path to reaching the Commonwealth’s 2050 net zero goals. Some provisions include: - Stronger investments in offshore wind
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Grid modernization
- Investments in other carbon-free energy sources
- Outlining a transition to 100 percent electric vehicle sales
- Allowing certain cities to ban fossil fuel hookups in new construction
Tell Gov. Baker that Massachusetts must continue to be a leader in moving our nation forward to a clean energy future! |
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| APCC's 2022 Annual Meeting
Sunday, September 11th at 1 p.m. at the Dennis Inn. Watch for more details to follow... |
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APCC is excited to share news of two recently awarded Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants provided by the MA Office of Coastal Zone Management. APCC received one grant to expand upon our ongoing stormwater management project to address runoff at public boat ramps on Cape Cod, which involves partners from the Department of Fish and Game Office of Fishing and Boating Access as well as the following towns: Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Brewster, Harwich, and Orleans.
The second grant, awarded to the town of Yarmouth, will fund a watershed scale assessment of stormwater management needs in South Yarmouth. For both projects, APCC will provide project management and will subcontract Horsley Witten Group for stormwater engineering designs. At the announcement event last Tuesday, August 2nd, April Wobst of APCC and Rich Clayton of Horsley Witten Group provided a guided tour to showcase stormwater retrofits installed as part of the Three Bays Stormwater Project at the Prince Cove Marina in Barnstable.
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APCC's Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program ~ last week's results |
Last week, the following ponds had use advisories issued by town officials due to cyanobacteria: - Lower Mill, Brewster
- Flume Pond, Falmouth
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West Reservoir, Harwich
- Santuit Pond, Mashpee
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Lower Mill Pond, Brewster, August 5, 2022
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Flume Pond, Falmouth Aug 3, 2022 | |
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You'll find an interactive map with pond status and more information about our cyanobacteria monitoring program on our website APCC.org/cyano. |
Sign up for the Cyano Alert to receive an email when a pond is found to have a potentially toxic cyanobacteria bloom or scum, or is otherwise posted by a town with a Recreational Use Restriction (see definitions).
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Help Wanted: Seeking GIS Contractor |
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APCC is seeking an independent contractor to provide GIS support for a number of critical projects. Respondents should submit a letter of interest detailing a proposed response to meeting APCC’s project needs, a resume describing education and GIS training, experience with similar projects, and a proposed hourly rate of service to [email protected]. Applications will be accepted until the contract is awarded. For more information, click here.
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Barnstable County Cape Cod Cooperative Extension - making it easy for you to protect our waters.
These household hazardous waste collection days are a great opportunity to get rid of those nasty things in the shed, in the basement, the garage, and under the sink!
For a list of what's accepted, click here and see the guidance below on how to conduct a household hazardous waste audit, and get rid of the nasties. |
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A great resource brought to you by the Orleans Pond Coalition, first printed in 2008, but chockablock full of practical tips to protecting our waters. |
The Jewels of Cape Cod ~ Our Freshwater Ponds |
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The Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage (OLAUG) are cleaning pounds and pounds of junk from several ponds—Dennis, Falmouth, and more! |
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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Jim Ardito's rain barrels. |
| 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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Black Chokeberry - Aronia melanocarpa |
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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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