Association to Preserve Cape Cod |
Fort Hill Overlook, Eastham. Photo by Sue Machie. |
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| Societal Distraction by Andrew Gottlieb, Executive Director
The Healey administration recently issued a sweeping and forward looking executive order (EO) promoting and protecting biodiversity in Massachusetts. This order recognizes that in preserving biodiversity we are really protecting ourselves. The EO succinctly states the obvious, that “living systems filter our air; clean our water; provide food security; provide economic opportunity; regulate climate by removing carbon from the atmosphere; provide resiliency against the worsening impacts of climate change like extreme weather events, heat, sea level rise, and flooding; provide recreational opportunities; and provide a range of other ecosystem services.”
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Underneath this order, not stated expressly but implicitly recognized, is that we are losing the battle to preserve the very resources that protect our ability to live and thrive here. While Massachusetts has some of the most stringent environmental regulations in the country, here on Cape Cod we continue to lose wetlands, experience periodic water shortages, have declining surface water quality, and are losing critical habitat to the bulldozer.
As compelling as the case may be for addressing biodiversity protection, the news reports surrounding the announcement of the EO focused more on another EO issued the same day prohibiting the purchase of single-use water bottles by state agencies. Yes, I think that reducing the use of plastics in all packaging, not just in water bottles, is a move in the right direction. That said, water bottles have become a symbolic lightning rod cynically used by some to draw attention and support away from issues like protecting the biodiversity upon which our food supply, to pick just one example that touches us all, relies.
The public focus, and manufactured outrage of some, on the state moving away from single-use bottles is emblematic of the challenges we face in developing a societal response to the very real impacts of climate change. The Healey administration has launched some very forward-thinking new initiatives to advance our response to climate dangers, yet what gets the attention is moving away from a product packaging that didn’t even exist that long ago. People weren’t dying in the streets from dehydration 30 years ago before single-use plastic bottles became ubiquitous, and they won't be now. They will, however, continue to suffer from excessive heat, record floods and severe storms until and unless we move past the myopic outrage about water bottles and get serious about converting to a less carbon intensive economy and part of that is surely getting a lot smarter about packaging and moving away from a single-use-throw-away approach to life.
Collectively, we need to do our part to keep the conversation focused on the big stuff that requires our attention like protecting biodiversity, maintaining critical habitats, and restoring water resources. That is where our focus remains here at APCC and where we can use your help. |
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Cape Cod (Regional) Pond Monitoring Program |
Some of you have inquired why your pond was not among the 50 out of 890 Cape ponds being monitored for water quality across Cape Cod. We hope what you read below will provide you more insight as to how the 50 ponds were selected. |
From Mashpee TV, the OLAUGs were at Mashpee-Wakeby Pond! |
An APCC publication - Guidelines for Cape-friendly Landscapes |
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The Guidelines gives homeowners steps they can take in the design and maintenance of their properties that will support pollinators and birds, manage stormwater, conserve water, and protect the Cape's water quality.
This 40-page booklet is beautifully illustrated by Marcy Ford with content that is easily digestible and supported by numerous resources for additional learning. |
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We've enjoyed creating it and hope it will help you with ideas to help you steward your piece of Cape Cod and maybe foster an environmental ethic in the decisions we all make in our own managed landscapes. Get your copy here—and maybe one for a friend? |
We are partnering with several retail shops to make this publication more widely available: Brewster Bookstore, Birdwatchers General Store, Crocker Nurseries, Wellfleet Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, Cape Abilities Farm, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, the Lavender Farm, and Sea Howl Bookstore.
If you are a retailer and would like to sell this publication at your store, contact Kristin at [email protected]. |
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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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Come visit APCC and over 20 other local conservation groups at the first Environmental Awareness Fair hosted by the Chatham Conservation Foundation, Inc. Saturday, Sept 30th 10 a.m.— 2 p.m. at the Chatham Community Center 702 Main St, Chatham |
APCC is still looking for an important part of the team... |
Cyanobacteria Science Coordinator: APCC seeks an experienced project manager to manage the sample analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results for APCC’s Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program. The cyanobacteria science coordinator is responsible for ensuring the overall scientific quality of the program through oversight of sample collection, analyses, interpretation, and reporting of monitoring results, and communicating results and other information to municipal officials, agencies, organizations, and the public in an accurate clear manner. The position is fulltime, year-round, salaried with benefits. For the full description, click here. To apply, email a cover letter and resume to Dr. Julie Hambrook at: [email protected]
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The Jewels of Cape Cod ~ Our Freshwater Ponds |
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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.
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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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| By popular request...
APCC Caps are 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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| New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae - |
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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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