Association to Preserve Cape Cod |
Paine's Creek, Brewster. Photo by Sue Machie. |
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APCC submitted written comments on the Environmental Notification Form for the project to replace the two Cape Cod Canal bridges and to make improvements to canal area roadway interchanges. Read APCC’s comments. |
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Cyanobacteria Program ~ Pond association volunteers work in all kinds of weather—what's a little rain? |
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Our cyanobacteria monitoring program is in full swing. Again this year you can sign up to receive an email whenever a cyanobacteria bloom is detected. Click here to sign up for the cyanobacteria alert. |
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APCC has QR code stickers that link to our cyanobacteria webpage. If you'd like one or more to post on or around your pond, request by email to [email protected] |
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What does cyanobacteria look like? ~ Here are some microscope photos taken by our cyano-interns. We contribute to the CyanoScope project on i-Naturalist.
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From the CyanoScope Project webpage on i.Naturalist: "Cyanobacteria are important members of the phytoplankton assemblages in lakes. In most situations these photosynthetic bacteria pose little risk to human health or the environmental integrity of lakes. However, when nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations are elevated and water temperatures warm, cyanobacteria can rapidly form dense and sometimes extensive blooms. Many species of cyanobacteria produce toxins that can cause symptoms in humans and other animals ranging from mild skin irritations and gastritis to debilitating illnesses and death.
Given the current escalation in waterbody eutrophication and increases in temperatures due to global climate change, the frequency of cyanobacteria blooms is increasing. The public is beginning to become aware of these blooms through media accounts of lake closures, toxin exposures, and threats to drinking water intakes (e.g. cyanotoxins from Lake Erie in Toledo’s drinking water supply in 2014). In addition to health concerns, blooms also affect humans through reductions in lake ecosystem services. Despite this growing concern, there are considerable gaps in ecological understanding about this group of organisms." Read more. |
For a comprehensive guide to identifying cyanobacteria blooms, click here. |
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Celebrating Cape-friendly Landscapes! |
A pollinator garden by the Harwich Garden Club at Thompson's Field in Harwich, on Chatham Road. You can't get more spectacular than this! |
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Do you have a Cape-friendly landscape to share? Tell us your story, send a few pictures and a brief description or comment to [email protected] |
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| Want to learn about ways you can make your landscape more Cape-friendly?
Our team will come visit with you at your property and help you identify steps you can take to conserve water, protect water quality, support pollinators and birds, reduce your carbon footprint.
A written report will provide you with more details and resources for more information about your interests. For more information CLICK HERE. |
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We are booked for July, but space is still available in August—first come, first serve! This program is seasonal and will end for this year in August. |
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Brewster Conservation Day is this Saturday, July 8th at Drummer Boy Park on Route 6A, Brewster 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Experience Brewster Conservation Day - Cape Cod's Best-Loved Conservation Fair! This year's theme is "Native Plants - Healthy Habitats." |
Friday, July 14th at 10 a.m. Craine Room, Snow Library
67 Main Street in Orleans
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Kristin Andres, APCC's associate director for education, will talk about creating beautiful, environmentally friendly landscapes in this time of climate change.
Join us to learn about native plants, eco-friendly land care, reducing your carbon footprint, and adapting to extreme weather. Kristin's experience and expertise will help you make the most of your garden and be excellent stewards of your land.
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SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR
POND MONITORING PROGRAM IN AUGUST |
Want to contribute to the study of Cape Cod's freshwater ponds, learn more about our ponds, and have some fun? We are seeking volunteers to accompany APCC staff in a canoe and assist with the data collection. Minimum time commitment is a full morning: A volunteer shift is 7:30 a.m. to ~ 12:30 p.m. Sampling days are Monday through Thursday. Once per month. Sign up for one time or more!
Physical ability. Volunteer must be comfortable being on the water and have the physical ability to get in and out of a canoe, to paddle to deepest point of pond, and to safely pivot in their seat to assist with the sampling and recording information on a field data sheet.
Pond monitoring will be conducted by APCC staff at the deepest point in the pond. Staff will use a canoe, and with the help of volunteers will measure depth, Secchi disk depth, water quality parameters using a sonde, and collection of water samples for lab analyses of nutrients, chlorophyll, and alkalinity. Lab analyses will be done by the Center for Coastal Studies, a state-certified laboratory contracted by APCC. If you are interested in learning more, please SIGN UP HERE. |
The Jewels of Cape Cod ~ Our Freshwater Ponds
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Wildlife at Bells Neck West Reservoir, Harwich. Photos by Gerald Beetham. |
Pond Stories is a collection of writings and other media from Cape Codders and visitors who love the 890 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] |
Have a favorite pond? Want to connect with others who are active in protecting their ponds?
Join the Cape Cod Ponds Network. For more information about past meetings of the Pond Network and to sign up, CLICK HERE.
Our most recent meeting was recorded and we will be sending out an email to all who have signed up with the network with the link to the recording, along with additional information. |
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| By popular request...
APCC Caps are now available for purchase! $25 includes shipping & handling Click here for more information and to order. ~ This is one great way to show your support for APCC's work. |
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A Cape Cod Native Plant-selector ~ to help you choose the perfect native plant for your garden location. |
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| Oakleaf Hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia This plant is native to southeastern states, but does well in Cape Cod landscapes. |
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News from the Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod -
The National Organization of Pollinator Pathway has named Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod one of the top 15 pathways in the country. This wonderful designation is a reflection of the hard work and enthusiasm of all of the PPCC members and individuals who are making a difference with their properties. Congratulations to all!
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The Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod is a group of organizations promoting native plants and pollinator-friendly land care practices to create a boat load of safe oases for our native bees, butterflies and a whole host of other pollinators that are crucial to the health of our ecosystems. Join us! It's easy. There are no fees. You just need to pledge to ADD native plants, SUBTRACT a little lawn, AVOID yard chemicals, especially pesticides, and LEAVE the leaves. And, help us spread the word. If you wish, please get on the map to show your support of pollinators!
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Sally Baer's rain barrel! |
| Rain Barrels for Cape Cod Order online from Upcycle Products $99 each includes FedEx shipping to your door APCC receives a portion of the proceeds.
For more information, click here. |
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| APCC Enewsletters. Our weekly newsletters are archived on our website and easily shared.
You can find past newsletters and share with your friends to sign up for future enewsletters HERE. |
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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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Expressions Gallery, 578 Main Street, Chatham
CLICK HERE |
Expressions Gallery donates 20 percent of its profits to APCC's work.
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Thank you to our business sponsors |
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