Association to Preserve Cape Cod

Above: Cliff Pond, Brewster. Photo by Sue Machie.

What I'm Thinking...

They Are Back

by Andrew Gottlieb, APCC Executive Director

They are back. It is spring so you may think I mean the first few herring of the season. Maybe your mind goes to returning coastal shore birds or perhaps the ospreys loudly announcing their return. Perhaps, despite the cool grey weather of late, you have convinced yourself that you hear a few spring peepers already. It's early and you know it is just the triumph of optimism over experience. But none of those are what I mean.

I am talking about town meetings. Spring on Cape Cod is also a time for my annual reminder for you to pay attention to the return of the local town meeting and local elections that will shape what your town does for the upcoming July 1 fiscal year. Town meetings and elections determine what projects are funded and who will make the decisions that will form the future of your town and, by extension, the entire Cape. Given the low levels of participation in local elections, your voice, your vote, and your informed engagement can have an impact on outcomes unmatched at any other level of government.

This is your chance to make a real difference. It’s not really that hard. Get a hold of your town meeting warrant. They are on most town websites already and must be published in whatever you have left for a local paper. Read the warrant and ask questions, if you have any, of your town officials. If you see a land project, a water quality initiative, or an environmentally friendly article on your warrant, go to town meeting and advocate for it. Bring your friends, too. This is a great way to connect with your community. And it makes difference.

Decisions that shape your community will be made at your town meeting regardless of whether you are there or not. Ceding your influence to others makes no sense. Go and be part of the change you want. It’s not that hard and it feels good to be a part of making the system work as it was designed to.

Spring has arrived, and with it, Cape Cod’s river herring have begun their incredible journey upstream to spawn—a vital event for our region’s ecosystems. The herring counting season officially started on Monday, April 1, and we need YOUR help to ensure these essential fish populations continue to thrive! Every year, dedicated volunteers team up with APCC and local run coordinators to monitor herring runs across Cape Cod, conducting visual herring counts that provide critical data to protect our waters. However, we’re still struggling to fill volunteer shifts—especially in the following key areas:

Barnstable (Marstons Mills River)
Brewster (Stony Brook)
Falmouth (Trunk River)
Harwich (Herring River)
Mashpee (Santuit, Quashnet, Mashpee rivers)
Orleans (Pilgrim Lake)
Sandwich (Mill Creek)
Yarmouth (Long Pond)

Why volunteer?

No experience needed—we provide all training!
It’s quick & easy—just 10 minutes a day makes a difference.
Flexible scheduling—volunteer once a week or more!
Be part of something BIG—join a passionate community of conservationists.

But time is running out! The last chance to sign up to volunteer is April 15. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a real impact!

Visit our herring volunteer webpage for details and to sign up today!

A River’s Story: Teaching the Next Generation Through Nature

by Mike Palmer, APCC Restoration Ecologist

Each spring, the return of river herring brings a sense of renewal to Cape Cod. Once still from winter, the streams come alive with shimmering silver scales, a timeless migration that has played out for generations. It's here, at these herring runs, that I bring my children—not just to watch, but to learn, to wonder, and to understand their place in the natural world.

My own love for nature was nurtured by my father, who taught me to fish and introduced me to the birds and trees. His lessons instilled a curiosity and respect for the outdoors that eventually led me to become a scientist. Now, as a father, I feel a deep responsibility to pass this legacy on to my own children.

I remember our first visit to the Stony Brook herring run in Brewster. My children watched in awe as the fish struggled against the current, a living lesson in persistence. Each year, these herring return from the ocean to their birth rivers, driven by instinct. And each year, we return, too, to witness their journey.

As our visits became a tradition, I wanted my children to see themselves as more than spectators. We began volunteering as herring counters, standing by the water, watching, and tallying fish. Our observations contribute to vital conservation data that helps restore and protect these essential waterways. At first, I expected a steady stream of fish, but I quickly learned that many days pass in quiet waiting. This, too, became part of the lesson—that science is about patience and persistence. Even a zero count has value, reminding us that nature follows its own rhythms, not ours.

In a world dominated by screens and distractions, I find deep satisfaction in watching my children engage with the river. They ask questions: Where do the fish go? Why do they return? Who is helping them? In answering, we talk about conservation, the obstacles to fish passage, and the efforts to restore rivers. They begin to see the world as an interconnected web where even the smallest fish plays a vital role.

Bringing children to a herring run is about more than just watching fish swim upstream—it’s about cultivating wonder and responsibility. It’s about showing them that nature is not separate from us but something we are a part of. It is about helping them realize that their actions matter. When they see volunteers counting fish and hear stories of rivers restored, they understand that stewardship is for everyone, not just scientists and conservationists.

As my children grow, I hope they carry these lessons with them—the thrill of spotting the first herring of the season, the crisp spring air, and the feeling of being part of something bigger. If they remember, they will care. And if they care, they will protect. That, more than anything, is why I bring them to the river each spring.

If you’re inspired by the return of the river herring and want to get involved in the conservation efforts, there are opportunities for you to make a tangible impact.

One way is by volunteering with the Association to Preserve Cape Cod’s River Herring Monitoring Program where you can help count herring at local river runs. This citizen science effort, funded by MassBays, provides valuable data to guide conservation and restoration projects.

Another option is to participate in local river restoration initiatives, such as the Source to Sea. This effort, funded by the NOAA Restoration Center is working to restore rivers and wetlands in Falmouth and Mashpee. Through this initiative you can contribute to improved fish passage, the restoration of habitats, and the protection of these vital ecosystems.

By joining these efforts, you become part of a community dedicated to preserving the beauty and health of our rivers for generations to come.

VOLUNTEER!

Raptors, foxes, coyotes, and other predators help keep our ecosystems in balance. Shocking numbers have been sickened and killed after eating poisoned rodents. Cape Cod wildlife advocates meet every month on the fourth Thursday of the month, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom. To join, sign up with Mass Audubon here. To register for the monthly meetings, register here.

Local partners with APCC are Cape Wildlife Center, Wild Care Cape Cod,

and Sierra Club Cape Cod. Stay informed on Facebook: Rescue Cape Cod Raptors

If you are a farmer or someone who wants to grow native plants to sell, or just want to be updated on the program's development, please submit an interest form that appears on our webpage. We will be sending periodic email notices of workshops and meetings.

Funding for the project is provided by Barnstable County and its Economic Development Council License Plate Grant Program through the Cape Cod Commission.

Events Hosted by Others

Brewster Ponds Coalition 2025 Pond Summit
Saturday, April 5, 2025
9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Brewster Baptist Church (1848 Main Street)

It is very likely that you have heard or read about Chemicals of Emerging Concern in the news. It is a topic of much discussion both nationally and on Cape Cod. Please put the Brewster Ponds Coalition 2025 Pond Summit on your calendar as you will hear from two local experts on the impact of these chemicals across Cape Cod and how they are being managed accordingly. Together, these presentations are not to be missed. Here’s a quick snapshot of the speakers and what they will discuss.

Tom Camberari, water resource specialist and hydrologist with Sole Source Consulting, will give us a comprehensive look at these chemicals and explain how they spread through the environment and groundwater by primary and secondary sources. Such chemicals pose a threat to Cape Cod’s sole source aquifer and create health risk exposures via drinking water and the affected health of our ponds.

Tom Barr, deputy director of public works for the town of Chatham, will provide a real-world example of the PFAS issue in Chatham. He will explain when and how the town of Chatham detected PFAS in the drinking water, what options were considered to remediate the problem, and the resulting course of action put in place.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration, coffee, and pastries will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the presentations at 9:30 a.m. The Leighton Team, a BPC business partner, is sponsoring this year’s Pond Summit. The recorded program will be posted on the BPC website and YouTube channel, for further viewing opportunities.

REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND

A Cape-wide Conservation Event Calendar

The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts (“the Compact”) and its nonprofit members launched a new regional calendar of events. The Conservation Calendar includes programs across Cape Cod hosted by these groups. The goal of the calendar is to encourage visitors and residents to take part in nature and environmental events. You can always find the link to the calendar on APCC's website under News & Events.

A Cape Cod Native Plant-selector

~ to help you choose the perfect native plants for your garden.

Email kandres@apcc.org and we'll send you a CapeCodNativePlants.org decal.

Barren Strawberry

Waldsteinia fragarioides

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.

We are grateful for the several retail shops that are partnering with us to make this publication more widely available: Brewster Book Store, Birdwatchers General Store, Crocker Nurseries, Wellfleet Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, Cape Abilities Farm, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, the Cape Cod Lavender Farm, Heritage Museums and Gardens, Titcomb's Bookshop, Sea Howl Bookshop, Soares Flower Garden Nursery, and Eight Cousins Bookshop.

If you are a retailer and would like to sell this publication at your store, please contact us.

You can also view the book's content as a pdf on our website.

APCC Merch

Available for online purchase and shipping in the U.S. is free:

APCC caps

$25

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Garden for Life T's

$30

Click here

for more information and to order.

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. Please get on the map to show your support of pollinators on Cape Cod!

You can purchase the 9-inch aluminum Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod sign at Hyannis Country Garden, Crocker Nurseries, Brewster Book Store, Orleans Conservation Trust, and Cape Abilities Farm.

If you are a retailer, and you would like to sell the signs, you can order online here, or email pollinators@apcc.org.