Association to Preserve Cape Cod

Above: Photo by Sue Machie.

What I'm Thinking...

The Money is Only Part of It.

by Andrew Gottlieb, APCC Executive Director

$26,028.50.

That’s the amount of the payment made this week to APCC pursuant to a settlement agreement between the Massachusetts National Guard and APCC. This payment resolves APCC's public records case against the Guard. The settlement amount represents a significant portion, but not all, of APCC’s legal costs incurred in our effort to enforce the integrity of the state public records law. More importantly though, the successful use of the law to obtain important public records reaffirms the utility of the public records law as a tool to ensure that the public has proper access to the records the law says we do. It is increasingly the case that the only way to gain insight into the work being done in the public’s name is to rely on the public records law.

The Massachusetts public records law is cumbersome to work with. Recalcitrant agencies can use elements of the law to delay and raise the cost of records recovery beyond the means of many members of the public. It is in this light that APCC used the seldom chosen path to take the Guard to court to seek redress for what we felt was a lack of adherence to the requirements to produce documents covered by the law. We went to court because we felt entitled to documents that were being improperly withheld. More than that, the systemic resistance to compliance with the law compelled us to go beyond administrative procedures to test the limits of the remedies provided in the law.

This decision forced us to expend significant effort and money with no promise of recovery of the cost of the litigation. We acted to ensure that the public records law would be a useful tool to help us obtain the information we needed to protect the Upper Cape Water Supply Reserve. That outcome, the protection of the Upper Cape’s water, was and remains our sole policy objective no matter the rhetorical smears that have suggested otherwise.

Going to court resulted in the delivery of additional public records responsive to our original request, reimbursement of most of our legal fees, and valuable public confirmation that the law has enforcement tools that, while cumbersome and expensive to work with, have the teeth to ensure that which should be public is accessible to the public. It is our hope that agencies will take note and fully respond as required by the law to future public records requests so that we and others do not need to go back to court to enforce the law. But if not, well, they can’t say they were not warned.

Take Action!

Above: Horseshoe crabs. Photo credit: Breese Greg, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Bill H.898, An Act to End the Taking of Horseshoe Crabs for Bait

Help protect a 450-million-year-old species that underpins both

ecological and human health.

Horseshoe crabs play a vital role in both coastal ecosystems and public health:

Their eggs are a critical food source for migratory shorebirds, including the threatened red knot.
They are slow to mature, taking 11 years to reach reproductive size, making them highly vulnerable to over-harvesting.
Horseshoe crabs are taken just when they come ashore to spawn.

As we await the full transition of the pharmaceutic industry to synthetics, it is imperative to reduce preventable mortality.

Bait harvest killed over 140,000 crabs last year in Massachusetts.

A personal letter will carry the most weight. Please write to your legislators and/or the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources right now. Ask them to help move Bill H.898 out of committee.

Legislator Letter Template (a Word doc. that you can personalize)

Fact Sheet for Legislators; One-pager Information Sheet; Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources; Find My Legislator

For more information, visit horseshoecrabs.org.

Thanks to the Southeastern Massachusetts Pine Barrens Alliance for providing the above content.

River Herring Monitoring Update: Week Two & A Big Thank You

We are now two weeks into the river herring monitoring season, and it’s wonderful to see the excitement and momentum building as the herring begin to arrive. Observation numbers are steadily increasing, and while we’re still early in the season, a few sites are already seeing activity.

So far, river herring have been recorded at several runs, including Long Pond in Yarmouth, Mashpee River and Santuit River in Mashpee, Stony Brook in Brewster, Trunk River in Falmouth, and Herring River in Wellfleet. Meanwhile, some sites—like Pilgrim Lake in Orleans—are still awaiting the fish’s arrival and managers are conserving what little water they have in anticipation. Fingers crossed that this weekend’s rain has brought some relief.

If you haven’t seen fish at your site yet, please don’t be discouraged. Zero counts are just as valuable as sightings—they help us understand the full timing and distribution of the run across the region. Every data point tells part of the story.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers and run coordinators whose dedication makes this program possible. Whether you're out in the field or managing logistics behind the scenes, your efforts are the driving force behind our success. We truly couldn’t do it without you.

A special thank you also goes to MassBays for the funding support of this program. Their ongoing commitment ensures we can continue gathering and analyzing the data needed to protect these vital species.

Let’s keep the momentum going and continue the great work. With your help, we’re building a clearer picture of river herring migration and supporting the health of these vital species for future generations.

Here’s to more fish (and a little more rain)!

Cape-friendly Landscapes

Stem Stubble—Why this spring you should leave your garden with a 5 o’clock shadow.

As skunk cabbages emerge and red maples bloom, there’s one thought that rings out in every gardener’s mind: spring clean-up. Time to bust out the garden trowels and rakes to prepare for another growing season. But hold your enthusiasm for just one second, and remember to consider what our beneficial insects are up to right now. We're going to focus on what you can do to support cavity nesting insects in your garden.

Now, hopefully over the winter you’ve left the dead, woody stems standing in your garden. Species like Joe Pye weed, wild bergamot, evening primrose, swamp milkweed, and many more feature seed heads that are beloved by birds as a winter food source. But come spring you may get the itch to start chopping these old stems down, to make way for new growth.

Keep in mind that if you like the natural approach, there’s no reason to cut these dead stems at all! In established meadow/prairie ecosystems, these dead stems fall over time, breaking down with help from the rain and wind, and are finally incorporated back into the soil. This helps with natural nutrient cycling, as all the nutrients a plant took out of the soil to produce this stem, decomposes right back in to be used again.

This is why the entire “leave the leaves” campaign is an excellent idea for soil fertility. Plants are pulling the nutrients they need to produce stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds from the soil. If we remove the remains of these structures, then we are removing the essential nutrients these plants need to grow.

As we get into the best practices surrounding dead stems, let’s circle back to the lifecycles of our cavity nesting insects. Around 30 percent of our native bees are cavity nesters, meaning they find the dead woody stems of perennials, and crawl or burrow inside. These bees, but also solitary wasps, stem-boring moths, and other beneficial insects use these stems as places to lay their eggs. Over the next year, these eggs will develop over the growing season and hibernate through the winter. They emerge the following spring, chewing their way out and flying off to pollinate, and eventually to start the next generation in another dead woody stem.

You may be familiar with cavity nesting insects if you’ve heard of “bee hotels”. These man-made habitats may be created with the best intentions, but they do have one important, but often forgotten, downside: They must be thrown away after one or two seasons. Otherwise, fungi, bacteria, mites, and other pests build up in these cavities, dooming the larvae of any insects that come to visit. By simply leaving woody stems naturally in your garden, this problem alleviates itself, as new stems are produced every year.

If you choose to cut these woody stems, leave some “stubble” to act as a natural hotel for our cavity nesting friends. Around 12-24 inches from the ground will be enough. Around APCC’s office in Dennis, we tend to stay right in the middle at 18 inches. While these stems may look a bit odd at first, they will quickly be concealed by the new year’s growth. This small action provides an abundance of habitat for our cavity nesting insects. Remember that eco-friendly landscapes do more than provide pollen and nectar: They provide for the entire lifecycle of our fauna, which includes a place to lay eggs, and to overwinter.

Video Share!

Above video: Creating and Managing Habitat for Native Bees, Heather Holm

Above: Hannah Brown (APCC) and Ryan Clark (WBNERR) stand ready to greet the attendees at this past weekend’s Honor the Earth Fair.

Source to Sea Kickoff:

A Community Approach to River Restoration

This past weekend, the Honor the Earth Fair brought together local advocates to celebrate and protect Cape Cod’s natural resources. Among the participants, APCC, the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR), and the Mashpee Wampanoag Department of Natural Resources joined forces to promote the "Source to Sea" initiative and the upcoming Source to Sea Community Engagement Kickoff on Saturday, May 3rd, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Headquarters.

The event will engage community members and project teams to discuss how local input can shape the future of three key rivers: Red Brook, Upper Quashnet River, and Mashpee River. Participants will learn about the ecological importance of these waterways and how restoration efforts can improve water quality, habitat for native species, and climate resilience. The event will include informal project overview presentations and interactive project stations for one-on-one discussions with project teams. Light refreshments will be provided, and childcare is available with advance registration.

A Collaborative Effort

Led by WBNERR and APCC, and in collaboration with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the towns of Mashpee and Falmouth, the "Source to Sea" initiative emphasizes community involvement. The event will feature informal presentations, interactive stations, and one-on-one discussions with project teams.

This initiative welcomes participation from all community members, organizations, and businesses. Your voice is crucial to shaping the future of Cape Cod’s rivers and ensuring that restoration efforts meet both ecological needs and local priorities.

Join us on May 3rd and help shape the future of Cape Cod’s rivers. Visit the Source to Sea website for more information.

APCC at the Honor the Earth Fair

Above: Butterfly Dancers

APCC communications specialist, Dorria Marsh

Above: APCC board member, Meredith Harris

Above: APCC volunteers, Leonard Long and Betsy LaMond

Above: Dorria Marsh, APCC communications specialist, and APCC volunteers, Betsy LaMond and Leonard Long

VOLUNTEER with APCC!

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

On Thursday, April 17 at 12:00 p.m. ET, the University of Rhode Island STEEP Superfund Research Program is hosting a webinar on PFAS contamination in Cape Cod’s surface waters and fish. Heidi Pickard, PhD, will discuss her recent research on PFAS in fish near Joint Base Cape Cod, including the impact of firefighting foams, septic systems, and agricultural runoff. Barnstable town manager, Mark Ells, will discuss how local government is responding with strategies to mitigate water contamination.

The virtual event is free and open to the public. All are welcome. To learn more and to register, visit: https://web.uri.edu/steep/cape_webinar/

Event is free. Please REGISTER HERE.

Friends of Chatham Waterways Hosts Event

at the Chatham Orpheum Theater

Event is free; tickets at the door.

Brewster Voters

The Brewster Ponds Coalition is hosting two public informational sessions to explain and answer questions about the articles related to water resource protection included in the town’s spring warrant.

These sessions aim to inform and educate Brewster voters about the need for these articles to pass during the annual town meeting on Monday, May 5, 2025. Representatives from BPC will explain the purpose of the articles and why we support them, including the recently updated Water Quality Protection District (WQPD) Bylaw and its proposed amendments.

To register for the session on Wednesday, April 23, 3-5 p.m. at the Brewster Ladies Library, 1822 Main Street, Brewster, click here: session at https://tinyurl.com/BPC-Water-Resources-23Apr25.

To register for the session on Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Community Room at the Brewster Police Department, 631 Harwich Road, Brewster, click here: https://tinyurl.com/BPC-Water-Resources-26Apr25

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.

American Groundnut

Apios americana

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

+++++++++++++++++

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.