Association to Preserve Cape Cod

Above: Plover chick. Photo by Sue Machie

What I'm Thinking...

Harder Than It Should Be

by Andrew Gottlieb, Executive Director

APCC’s newest roof top solar array, funded by the generosity of the Tern Foundation, is fully operational and powering our use as well as exporting to the grid. Despite the methodical attack on the solar industry at the federal level with the withdrawal of incentives that supported rapid adoption of solar generating capacity, the potential for expansion of rooftop solar in Massachusetts remains substantial. Rooftop solar has significant potential to add needed supply to Massachusetts and relieve peak demands during the ever-expanding cooling season. Rooftop installation also has the enormous benefit of using existing hardscape instead of requiring the clearing of forested land common in utility scale solar projects.

One would think that Massachusetts would be all in on residential and commercial rooftop solar. As a matter of official policy, that is the case, but in reality, there is an institutional impediment that delays and increases the friction associated with maximizing solar installations. The single greatest impediment to APCC’s installations was not money, nor was it finding a good contractor. Dealing with Eversource was the hardest part of our project. Getting work scheduled was hard and slow. Getting meters installed was hard and slow. Getting an account number for an installed and functioning meter so we could obtain a building permit for the installation was hard and slow.

Our experience with Eversource was our own, and while others may be different, we have talked to enough solar installers and frustrated would-be converts to rooftop solar to think otherwise. Whatever the underlying reasons for the complications in the Eversource process, Massachusetts needs to figure this out if alternative energy is to achieve its potential as a robust part of our energy generation future.

All the well-meaning policy and creative financing means little if the key player in the grid connection chain, Eversource, doesn’t up its game to meet the moment.

SAVE THE DATE!

APCC's Annual Meeting

Sunday, September 14th at 12:00 p.m.

at the Dennis Inn

Ecosystem Restoration Program

Above: (Left) Tina Hennig shows some of the samples she helped collect at Chase Garden Creek. (Right) Sophie Cosaro labels a sediment sample at Chase Garden Creek salt marsh.

Chase Garden Creek Sediment Sampling

The Ecosystem Restoration Program continues to work at Chase Garden Creek salt marsh in Yarmouth Port. This past week, Molly Autery, APCC's salt marsh specialist, collected sediment samples from several monitoring plots established last summer by APCC and the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS). These samples will be used to assess erosion and sediment deposition throughout Chase Garden Creek, furthering a sediment dynamics study completed by CCS and informing the restoration design process.

Continuing the theme of cross-program participation, two interns from APCC’s Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program joined Molly for a day of fieldwork at Chase Garden Creek. Tina Hennig and Sophie Cosaro were excellent help in the field, gathering and organizing samples while learning about APCC’s salt marsh restoration projects. This was their first time working in a salt marsh and the Ecosystem Restoration Program team thanks them for their enthusiasm and willingness to get muddy on a hot, humid day.

Our work at Chase Garden Creek is supported by the Lavori Sterling Foundation and other private foundation funds.

Above: Juvenile river herring spotted at Mashpee River during the most recent temperature check.

Tracking Mashpee River Health Through Temperature Monitoring

As part of the ongoing Mashpee River Restoration Project, continuous water temperature monitoring is helping track changes in river conditions and guide restoration planning. Eight temperature loggers have been installed along the river—from just below the Mashpee-Wakeby Pond outlet to downstream of Route 28—collecting data year-round.

Water temperature is a critical factor in the health of river ecosystems. Coldwater species like brook trout depend on cold, well-oxygenated water. Temperatures above 61°F are considered sub-optimal for brook trout, and prolonged exposure to temperatures above 65°F can cause metabolic stress and reduce survival. Other species, such as river herring and American eel, are more tolerant of warmer water but still require specific thermal conditions during key life stages like migration and juvenile development.

By monitoring temperature throughout the river, the project team can evaluate current habitat conditions, identify potential thermal barriers to fish movement, and assess the effectiveness of future restoration actions. Temperature loggers placed above and below planned restoration sites—such as the proposed culvert replacement at Route 130—will help determine whether changes to infrastructure result in improved habitat connectivity and cooler water temperatures.

Temperature data is made available to the public through the Mashpee River Monitoring Dashboard, an online platform that allows users to explore trends and better understand seasonal shifts in river conditions. This tool is part of a broader commitment to transparency and community engagement around the restoration process.

The monitoring work is one part of a broader, collaborative effort to restore the Mashpee River’s ecological health, enhance fish passage, and support native species. This work is grounded in partnership with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and carried out with the support of the town of Mashpee, the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Cape Cod Conservation District, and many other local, regional, and tribal partners. Together, the project team is combining habitat restoration with long-term stewardship, shared knowledge, and a deep respect for the cultural and ecological importance of the river.

Temperature data, along with fish surveys, hydrologic monitoring, and geomorphic assessments, provides a foundation for adaptive management and informed decision-making.

This monitoring is funded by a NOAA Tribal and Underserved Habitat Restoration Grant supporting ongoing restoration of the Mashpee River and efforts to build a more resilient watershed.

Above: Hannah Brown, APCC restoration coordinator, collecting data from a temperature logger deployed at Mashpee River.

APCC's Pond Programs

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New Pond Groups formed in Barnstable, Harwich,

and now, Wellfleet

Kudos to all!

Check out information on each of these groups below. If you love the freshwater ponds in your town, join your local pond group, get involved and lend a hand.

Barnstable Ponds Coalition—working together to restore and protect ALL Barnstable ponds and lakes.

As a unified group, BPC seeks to address the growing cyanobacteria crisis through ADVOCACY, EDUCATION AND SCIENCE to:

Have a greater voice in town efforts to address the problem
Learn from each other by sharing ideas, experiences and information
Provide funding and manpower to expand pond testing
Raise funds to implement solutions

BarnstablePonds.org

Harwich Ponds Coalition is a newly formed group of residents and voters concerned about the health of our freshwater resources.

Its mission is to coordinate the efforts of stakeholders to protect the quality of the freshwater resources in Harwich, especially ponds, through data-driven advocacy, education and public outreach.

HarwichWaters.org

Although a new organization, FWP is actually the successor to long-standing GUPACA—Gull Pond Area Conservation Association—which over the last decade evolved to include Long Pond and other members.

The goal of FWP is to raise awareness and appreciation for the intrinsic beauty and ecology of Wellfleet’s array of freshwater ponds and the issues related to sustaining their pristine qualities. Via its three arms of education, monitoring and advocacy, FWP will strive to maintain and preserve the health, beauty and enjoyment of the ponds for future generations.

WellfleetPonds.org

Next meeting of the

Cape Cod Ponds Network

Thursday, August 14, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

in person at the

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster

All are welcome.

REGISTER

We Need Your Help -

Cyanobacteria Survey for Animal Care Professionals

When harmful cyanobacteria blooms (HCBs) containing cyanotoxins appear in our freshwater ponds, they pose a serious health risk—especially to children and animals due to their small size. Dogs are particularly vulnerable because they are more likely to swallow water while swimming or ingest it while grooming themselves afterwards. Unfortunately, we know from past cases that dogs exposed to cyanotoxins can suffer severe illness and even death in as little as an hour.

To help prevent these tragic outcomes, we are conducting a survey of veterinarians, wildlife rehabbers, and animal control officers based here on the Cape. To date, we have contacted every veterinary office on Cape Cod, all known wildlife rehabilitation centers and individual rehabbers, and animal control and natural resource officers across all 15 towns.

This survey will help us understand how often these exposures occur, ensure that animal care providers are prepared to respond, and guide us in offering the right support—whether that means providing educational materials for pet owners or creating a regional public database to track animal exposures.

We understand that veterinarians are incredibly busy, and our survey may slip through the cracks. If you’re concerned about keeping your pet safe from cyanotoxin exposure, please give your local vet’s office a call and ask them to fill out the APCC cyanobacteria survey. Let's keep all of our pets safe from toxins together. Thank you for your assistance!

Cape Cod Pond Watchers Bio-survey Program

~ a training video on how to use the Survey123 app to log your observations in pondside!

Pond Life Spotlight

Tiny crustaceans; Mighty powers

Above: Adult Daphnia

Above: Daphnia ephippia

What Cape Cod crustacean is only 0.2 to 3.0 mm long but has the power to grow its own armor in preparation for “battle?” Daphnia!

Daphnia are a type of zooplankton commonly found in freshwater ecosystems, including our 890 ponds here on the Cape. They are commonly called “water fleas” due to their distinctive swimming style, which resembles the hopping motion of terrestrial fleas. But please don’t hold that nickname against them: Daphnia are not only cute little buggers, they play a pivotal role in the aquatic food web and are largely responsible for removing bacteria and algae from the waters they call home—and we like to swim in. In fact, you can thank these translucent filter feeders for helping control nasty algal blooms and preventing excessive nutrient buildup in said waters.

The genus Daphnia includes more than 100 known species of freshwater plankton organisms found around the world, but the most common species found floating around the waters of the Cape is Daphnia pulex. As for that armor, Daphnia use antenna-like structures on the top of their head to detect scents and chemicals released by predators, such as fish or other invertebrates, and subsequently grow sharp tails and armor-like “helmets” on their head in response to threats they expect to face.

As the generations roll on, Daphnia develop even longer helmets and tails to defend themselves against predation. Their lifespan is typically around eight weeks. They reach maturity quickly, within five to ten days, and then reproduce soon after. Interesting to note is the fact that Daphnia can reproduce sexually or asexually, depending on environmental conditions. They reproduce asexually during favorable conditions, but switch to sexual reproduction when resources become scarce.

Daphnia ephippia are specialized structures produced by female Daphnia to encase resting eggs. These resting egg cases keep the eggs safe during unfavorable environmental conditions. When the conditions then improve, the resting eggs will hatch and produce female Daphnia, which will then reproduce asexually later in life.

APCC's Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program

"When in doubt, stay out." High concentrations of potentially toxic cyanobacteria were detected in several ponds last week, at levels that are of concern for pets and children who are more susceptible due to ingestion.

Check on the status of your favorite pond on our interactive map.

If you see what appears to be a bloom, take a picture, note the day, location, and time and notify the local health department, and email to cyano@apcc.org.

Sign up for cyanobacteria email alerts.

Around the Grounds at APCC Headquarters

We are diligently working at healing the land around the property following the renovation of the barn into the Koppel Center. We thought we'd share some of the progress made by the team: Erin Camire, APCC ecolandscape program coordinator and ecological land care intern, Alan Ives, together with lots of volunteers who give of their time to help weed, water, and plant.

It's all one step at a time. Sometimes plants get eaten by the bunnies, sometimes the heat is too much, (and sometimes the newly planted areas get trampled by a contractor). But five days a week there is continued progress and the pictures below are a glimpse of the ongoing work. Someday these photos will be the "before" pictures as we await completing our planting, plants are established and the designs take hold.

Sometimes it seems like we just can't keep up with the hand removal of the unwanted soapwort, privet, bittersweet, knotweed, and tree of heaven seedlings, and then we stop and see the life in what has been planted and is blooming, and we remember why we the effort is worth it!

Above: Ecological land care intern, Alan Ives, and APCC's ecolandscape program coordinator, Erin Camire, moving repurposed cedar trunks we salvaged from the construction project for positioning in the rain garden to mimic a river restoration project!

Above: The rain garden that collects all of the rain from the roof of the Koppel Center is slowly coming together. It's design represents a river restoration project. We can't wait to get it finalized and planted.

Above: Blue vervain, Verbena hastata, doing very well in the rain garden.

Above: Cabbage white (?) on Virginia mountain mint

Above: American copper butterfly and various other insects grabbing some nectar from goldenrod.

We Love Botany

Botanize a bit with Erin Camire, APCC's ecolandscape program coordinator in the video below. Another short clip from the Lee Baldwin conservation property in Brewster.

Cape-friendly Landscapes

Less Lawn, More Native Plants

Many of our managed landscapes are composed of traditional turf lawn and non-native shrubs and trees such that our landscapes look like “anywhere U.S.A.” Turf lawns are a big energy suck. Their maintenance is based on fossil fuels, so shrinking the lawn can reduce your carbon footprint. Lawns are wastelands for wildlife because they offer little meaningful habitat.

Native plants are the cornerstone of any ecologically friendly landscape. They give a sense of place to our landscapes. Native plants are accustomed to the Cape’s poor soils, so no need to fertilize, and many are drought tolerant.

Planting more native plants in a pesticide-free landscape can create pollinator pathways and support birds with safe, natural food sources. Planting a variety of native plants appropriate for Cape Cod can help improve biodiversity, and biodiversity ensures stable ecosystems, especially when so much of our wild areas has already been developed and paved over.

Landscape design is very much like interior design of a room. A wise woman once said, “Why have wall to wall carpeting [of turf lawn], when a throw rug will do?” What is interesting to the eye is not the monochromatic rug, but the furniture, the architecture, and the accent pieces. Plant a variety of native plants appropriate for your yard and it will be more interesting and will bring life to your garden.

Convinced you could do with less lawn and more plants? Here are a few tips to help:

Start small (don't bite off more than you can chew). Simply make existing planting beds larger.
Want to go big? We've found sheet mulching to work.
Shop for native species at a reputable local nursery. But plan ahead and go with a shopping list that includes the scientific names of the plants to ensure you get what you want and are not tempted to impulse buy. If you are looking for what plants are appropriate, check out CapeCodNativePlants.org, which will give you options for your particular planting site.

Ecolandscape Consultation Program

If you desire to make your yard friendlier to pollinators and wildlife, learn more about native plants and controlling invasive species, and hear of ways to conserve water and protect the Cape’s water quality, we can help.

APCC’s Ecolandscape Consultation program is aimed at helping homeowners make their landscapes more ecologically friendly by providing site-specific assessments and oodles of information for the DIYers or those that want to be more informed to hire the right landscape contractor. While we are not landscape designers or engineers, we do have the passion, experience, knowledge, and loads of resources to offer guidance to help you achieve your goals for a Cape-friendly yard.

Click here for more information and

to schedule a consultation!

Events Hosted by Others

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.

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.

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.

Common Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

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

NEW! T's

Cyanobacteria ~ tiny but mighty

color kiwi

$30

includes USPS shipping

APCC caps

$25

-includes USPS deliver in the U.S.

Garden for Life T's

$30

-includes USPS delivery in U.S.

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, Heritage Museums and Gardens, 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.