​The mist didn’t deter almost forty Brewster Ponds Coalition or Orleans Pond Coalition members from exploring Bakers Pond, one of the Cape’s least impaired ponds, on November 19, 2016. BPC board members, Gwen Pelletier and Sue Searles, guided the group along dirt roads and trails around the pond’s beautiful shores. Talks along the way provided a more in-depth look at this very special place: Ron Mgrdichian, President of The Friends of Bakers Pond, shared local color and pond history. BPC board member, Karen Malkus-Benjamin—assisted by AmeriCorps member Corey Bray—introduced walkers to creatures that live in the pond's bottom. All-in-all, it was a fun and interesting walk!

Hosted by The Brewster Ponds Coalition
With Support From
The Orleans Pond Coalition

Saturday, November 19.  10:00 AM
1 1/2 to 2 hours

Brewster and Orleans share ownership of Baker's Pond; both towns have preserved conservation land abutting the pond. Divided equally down the middle between Orleans and Brewster, Bakers Pond has the distinction of being one of the least impaired ponds on Cape Cod. However, there are indications of declining health.

​Walk from Orleans Conservation land, by one edge of the Orleans side of the pond ----through wooded trails, along a seldom used bumpy road, by a protected white cedar swamp, and through a small residential neighborhood to reach the more remote Brewster side of the pond.

Despite the cloudy and somewhat chilly day, about 40 people--mostly Brewster Ponds Coalition members--explored Brewster's Upper Mill Pond on Saturday, October 29. Avid walker and BPC board member, Gwen Pelletier led the two-hour walk, on trails that meandered around the pond. The group stopped at Eagle Point and other places to take in the view and learn about cranberry cultivation and pond ecology from BPC board member Karen Malkus-Benjamin.. Walkers glimpsed former cranberry bogs as well as the quaking bog--a sphagnum moss covered bog that shakes when walked upon--through the trees. At the end of the walk, Malkus-Benjamin demonstrated how to observe a pond and collect data to assess its status. Stayed tuned for more information about the next BPC walk at Bakers Pond on Saturday, November 19 at 10:00 am.