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Saturday, July 8, 2023 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Drummer Boy Park, Brewster This year's event is sponsored by the Brewster Conservation Trust, Town of Brewster Department of Natural Resources, Brewster Historical Society, and the Brewster Ponds Coalition. With the theme "Native Plants - Healthy Habitats," the Cape's favorite conservation fair will feature over 40 unique exhibits, sure to engage adults and children alike while learning about aquaculture, recycling and alternative septic systems. Native plant gardening, pollinators, our aquifer, ocean resources, herring migration and more will be featured throughout the day. And, don’t forget to visit the BPC’s exhibit, once again featuring Shelly the Turtle and The Big Flush! View the full list and map of the day's activities! And to volunteer, click here for more information. In addition, check out this Brewster Conservation Day Week Event:  The Healey administration has released regulations addressing the new watershed permitting process for Cape Cod communities. A detailed article written in The Boston Globe on June 21, 2023, provides an overview of the new regulations and includes comments from the administration, MassDEP, as well as Brian Baumgaertel from MASSTEC. Click here to read the full article.  The 2023 Pond Summit held on June 16 was a great success, with over 85 people attending in person, and others watching virtually. The theme this year was Septic Systems and Ponds in Brewster: What do we know, what is being done, what is planned. The intent of the Pond Summit was to give our members and interested parties a review of the significant work being done to protect our ponds. While all impairment sources were discussed, the focus was on septic systems which are estimated to account for 80 to 85% of the impairment to our ponds and estuaries. Topics included a new BPC study to measure the flow of nutrients from septic systems to the ponds, proposed changes to Title 5 regulations, funding options for alternative septic systems, and concerns about PFAs and other toxins entering our aquifer. Speakers from a variety of private and public entities made presentations. Represented were Horsley Witten, LLC (the Town’s environmental engineering firm); the Town of Brewster Administration, Department of Public Works, Department of Natural Resources, and Board of Health; the Massachusetts Alternative Septic Test Center; the Cape Cod Commission; and the BPC. John Keith, an environmental engineer and BPC Vice President, explained the exciting new BPC study mentioned above. Many thanks to Lower Cape TV for live streaming and recording the event, the Leighton Team for their sponsorship, and the Brewster Baptist Church for generous use of its wonderful facilities. Click on these links for the following Pond Summit 2023 resources: The Pond Summit speakers (pictured above right): Griffin Ryder, Peter Lombardi, Erin Perry, Mark Nelson, Susan Bridges, John Keith, Kimberley Pearson, and Chris Miller (not pictured: Brian Baumgaertel).
Photographs courtesy of William F. Pomeroy. The Brewster Pond Summit 2023 is just one day away! The event, presented by the BPC and the Town of Brewster, was just featured in an in-depth article in the Cape Cod Times. Click here to read the full text. Not only does the article discuss the important information that will be presented during the Summit, but it also features the work the BPC is doing to protect Brewster's ponds and continue to educate citizens about future efforts that will address and improve the Town's water resources. If you haven't already registered to attend the Summit, click here to do so. If you can't attend in person, you can join via the livestream link. The Summit includes an impressive group of speakers and dynamic topics that you won't want to miss! "Brewster Ponds Coalition Cyanobacteria testing Pine Pond" (June 13, 2023)
(LEFT PHOTO): "Bill Wood fills a skim net that is dragged across the water surface at Pine Pond in Brewster to collect a sample that will be tested for cyanobacteria. Wood volunteers with the Brewster Ponds Coalition, which samples 19 ponds in the town." (RIGHT PHOTO): "Marty Burke checks the water clarity in a tube of water brought ashore by Bill Wood at Pine Pond in Brewster on a damp foggy morning, as they collected samples to be tested for cyanobacteria." (Copy and photos copyright Cape Cod Times/Steve Heaslip) Don’t miss Brewster Pond Summit 2023, presented by the Brewster Ponds Coalition and the Town of Brewster! Friday, June 16, 2023 8:30 - 9 AM: Registration, Coffee & Pastries 9 AM - 12 PM: Program The Brewster Baptist Church 1848 Main Street, Route 6A, Brewster Brewster Pond Summit 2023 promises to be full of timely information related to what is being done to protect Brewster's ponds. Here is a glimpse at the important topics on the agenda: I. Overall Introduction (state of our ponds, current and future actions being taken by the Town) II. Scientific Research Planned or In Progress III. Title 5 Regulations IV. Regulatory Management Entities (RMEs) for Alternative Septic Systems V. State and Local Funding Sources VI. What About PFAs and Other Toxics Read the full agenda here. An impressive group of speakers will provide insight from various perspectives in order to give attendees a thorough understanding of the ways in which many organizations are working to protect our most valuable water resources. Here’s a brief look at the speakers:
Click here for the complete speaker bios. The Summit is an open forum and Town and area residents are encouraged to attend. Beginning at 8:30 AM, coffee and pastries will be served. The event is free, but registration is encouraged for BPC’s planning purposes. Please register here. Can’t attend in person on Friday? Don’t worry! You can join the Summit via a livestream link provided by Lower Cape TV. After the live event, the Summit video will be accessible on the BPC and Town websites. Many thanks to the Leighton Team, a BPC Business Partner, for sponsoring the event.  |
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