 Support the Brewster Ponds Coalition in style! Grab one of our adjustable, adult-sized hats for just $15. They come in a bunch of great colors, so you can pick your favorite look. Here's how to get yours: Order: Drop a quick e-mail to us at [email protected]. Tell us if you'd like denim, red, navy, or light blue. Locals: We will bring it right to your door if you live in Brewster. Non-locals: We will pop it in the mail straight to you. The Brewster Ponds Coalition invites you to come learn about the abundance of plants and animals that live in and around our ponds. Join us on Wednesday, July 29, from 1:30 to 3:00 PM at the Brewster Ladies’ Library as local respected Field Naturalist, educator, and author, Peter Trull, shares photos, anecdotes, and information about the life in and around our ponds. Then, Julie Hambrook, APCC Pond and Cyanobacteria Program Manager, will describe the APCC’s Cape Cod Pond Watchers Bio-Survey Program. She will explain how members of the public can report their observations of plants and animals around ponds to contribute to the understanding of the ecology of Cape Cod ponds. Bring your curiosity about the beautiful space we live in - this session will surely not disappoint! The event is free and open to the public. Click here to register. To read more about Peter Trull, visit his website. Click here to read Julie Hambrook's bio. As summer temperatures rise, our community prepares for cooling swims and family fun at our beloved local ponds. While we welcome the season, we also know there are concerns about water health and harmful cyanobacteria blooms. To ensure your safety, the Brewster Ponds Coalition urges you to attend the 2026 Pond Summit: "How Brewster Protects Pond Users from Cyanobacteria Blooms." When: Saturday, June 13, 9:00 – 11:30 AM Where: Brewster Ladies’ Library Auditorium (1622 Main Street) Why Attend? Summer’s warmer water and heavy rains can trigger sudden, potentially dangerous cyanobacteria (blue/green algae) blooms. To combat this, our dedicated Citizen Science team of 57 volunteers is testing 19 Brewster ponds bi-weekly, reporting results immediately to the Town, which then follows up to determine risks. You’ll hear from these key leaders who are working together to keep our water safe. Ron Essig (pictured below left), BPC Board member and Citizen Science Leader, will highlight 10 years of our signature monitoring program and the risks of cyanobacteria, and how the monitoring results are communicated, notably to the Town Health Department. Dan Syriala (pictured below right), Director of the Brewster Health Department, will detail how the Town evaluates risk and determines if ponds need to have warnings posted. He will also outline new septic system setback regulations. Protecting our water is a shared responsibility. Come learn, ask questions, and help us ensure a safe summer for all. This event is free and open to the public. Check-in, coffee, and pastries will begin at 9 AM, followed by the presentations at 9:30 AM. The Leighton Team, a BPC business partner, is sponsoring the event.  This energetic group joined the BPC on Saturday, May 9, for a 2.5-mile hike on the trails around both Higgins and Little Cliff ponds in Nickerson State Park. The hike was led by members Kristi Dondlinger, Tony Ortiz, and John Keith. It was a perfect spring day to get outside, and the group enjoyed casual conversation and admiring the views of both ponds. Look for more BPC-sponsored hikes in the coming months! General photos of both ponds during other seasons: pictured on the left is Higgins Pond, and on the right is Little Cliff Pond.
The cool and rainy weather didn’t dampen the spirits of last weekend’s Brewster in Bloom Town Parade. Spectators and participants alike enjoyed a parade filled with colorful and imaginative floats representing the theme “Brewster Beach Day.” For the third year, the Brewster Ponds Coalition participated in the parade with a float that won the “Most Creative” prize by the Brewster Chamber of Commerce, the parade host. Over the course of three weeks, the BPC’s team of energetic volunteers designed and constructed its float, complete with a custom-built sandcastle. We sincerely thank the members of our extremely talented team for all their hard work: Marcia and John Kielb, Joanie and Scott Shrier, Kathy Miller, Susan Bridges, Bruce Semple, and John Keith. Click here to read about the additional prize-winning floats.  BPC float in Brewster in Bloom Town Parade, held on Sunday, May 3, 2026.  A huge thank you to the 16 volunteers who joined the BPC "Beautify Brewster" team this year!
On the crisp but beautiful morning of April 25, this energetic group set out to support the annual town-wide cleanup sponsored by the Brewster Department of Natural Resources. Working in pairs, our team cleared half-mile stretches along Satucket and Slough roads to protect Brewster’s vital ponds and groundwater. Among the more unusual finds were a car fender and a Cutco knife—along with a relentless supply of nip bottles!  Mark your calendar for the Brewster Ponds Coalition's 2026 Pond Summit, scheduled for Saturday, June 13, from 9:00 to 11:30 AM, at the Brewster Ladies’ Library (1622 Main Street, Brewster). The topic of this year’s event is “How Brewster Protects Pond Users from Cyanobacteria Blooms.”
The event will begin with a presentation from Ron Essig, a member of the BPC Board of Directors and leader of the Citizen Science program. Ron will provide a history of this BPC signature program which is currently in its tenth year, monitoring Brewster’s ponds for harmful cyanobacteria. He will briefly review what cyanobacteria is, how it can harm both people and pets, and the complexities of the testing procedures. Dan Syriala, Director of the Brewster Department of Health, will discuss the Town’s processes in evaluating cyanobacteria risks in our ponds and the methods that have been developed this season in conjunction with the BPC to ensure timely evaluation of any cyanobacteria blooms. He will also review the new septic system regulations that serve to further prevent harmful chemicals from entering Brewster’s ponds. This event is free and open to the public. Check-in, coffee, and pastries will begin at 9:00 AM, followed by the presentations at 9:30 AM. To register, please click here. The Pond Summit is being sponsored by The Leighton Team, a BPC business partner.
Join the BPC for a 1.5-mile guided hike along a pond trail in Nickerson State Park on Saturday, May 9, at 10 AM (rain date is Sunday, May 10). The hike will be led by our experienced guides, Nancy and Tony Ortiz, and Kristi Dondlinger. We will meet at the parking lot at the end of Flax Pond Road. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water and a snack. The trail is mostly flat; however, there will be some rocky sections and roots. Insect repellent is recommended because of the presence of ticks. There is a limit of 19 participants for this free event. Please register using the link below; further details will be sent to registered participants before the hike.  The 14th Annual Beautify Brewster Day is being held on Saturday, April 25, from 9 AM - 12 PM (rain date is Sunday, April 26). Won’t you consider joining the BPC team - always one of the largest and most fun groups - to help clean up roads in Brewster that contribute to pond and groundwater degradation? To register to join our team, please click on the link below. Additional details will be sent to all registered volunteers after registration. Pictured below is the 2025 Beautify Brewster BPC team.  |
Categories |
RSS Feed
|
|
|