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The BPC participated at the Volunteer Recruitment Fair on Friday, September 8, held at the Brewster Ladies Library. Our representatives shared information about the BPC's events and activities, as well as opportunities to volunteer in a range of our committees and initiatives. Pictured below are Kristi Dondlinger, an avid BPC volunteer, and Ron Essig, a BPC Board member and Citizen Science Team Leader. In addition to Kristi and Ron, Marty Burke, also a BPC Board member and Citizen Science Team Leader, assisted with staffing our table at the fair. For more information on our programs and volunteer opportunities, click on the "Programs" tab above.  Thursday, September 28, 2023 9:30 - 11:30 AM This could be the last planned bike ride on the Cape Cod Rail Trail this summer (unless there are requests for more!). In order to get ready and chat about the ride, please plan on meeting no later than 9:15 AM at the CCRT Parking Lot on Rt 137 across from Ferretti's Market. We will head west on the CCRT through Harwich, Dennis, and into Yarmouth, passing Sheep, Seymour, Long, and Hinckleys Ponds, the West Reservoir, and over the new Bass River bridge. A fun ride on a fairly new spur of the CCRT! Please read the BPC Cycling Group “Rules of the Road" beforehand. The notes will tell you all you need to know from clothes to wear, how to ride safely in a group, simple cycling terms, and safety thoughts and tips. The ride is limited to 12 riders and FREE to BPC members. Register here!  Saturday, September 30, 2023 Beginning at 10:00 AM Join the BPC and leader Nancy Ortiz for a three-mile narrated walk at Sheep Pond Woodlands on Saturday, September 30 at 10:00 AM. We will visit three scenic beaches including the pristine public landing. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water and a snack. The area is mostly flat; however, there will be some rocky trails and roots. There is a maximum of 25 participants for this FREE event. More details will be sent to registered participants before the walk. Register here!  Monday, October 2, 2023 1:30 - 2:30 PM Brewster Council on Aging 673 Main Street, Brewster The BPC invites you to learn about the Pond Education Program that we developed for the children in Brewster's elementary schools. Through a combination of a short presentation, a puppet show, and hands-on activities at a pond, students learn to identify pond creatures, how to recognize the features of a healthy pond, and the importance of protecting our ponds. The BPC hopes that by attending this presentation, you will also gain a greater appreciation of the diversity of the amazing ecosystems of our ponds and will become active participants in protecting this important resource. To register, please call the Council on Aging at 508-896-2737.  Friday, September 8, 2023 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM Auditorium, Brewster Ladies' Library 1822 Main Street, Brewster The BPC will be participating along with many other local non-profit organizations at this upcoming Volunteer Recruitment Fair. Representatives of all the organizations will be available to share information about opportunities for you to volunteer your time and talents to important activities in Brewster and beyond. Be sure to attend and stop by the BPC table to learn more about how you can help us further our mission of "protecting and improving the health of Brewster's ponds through science, education and advocacy." For a copy of the event announcement, click here or visit the library website.  A large group of BPC members gathered on Saturday, August 19 at Terra Firma Permagardens in Orleans for the adult education program, "Hugel Terrace Workshop: Learning by Doing." The hands-on workshop focused on creating terraces to capture the rain and subsequent runoff allowing both to slowly nourish the soil. Pictured below is Peter Jensen of Terra Firma Permagardens (a BPC business partner) working with the group. The additional photographs show various stages of the group's hugel terrace construction.  Over 65 BPC members and interested residents gathered on Saturday, August 12 for the 2023 Annual Meeting at the Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church. The meeting started with a brief business session that included an overview of the BPC 2023 activities to date that included town-wide events, adult programs, outdoor activities, and the Pond Summit. While these activities support the BPC mission of “protecting and improving the health of Brewster’s ponds through science, education and advocacy,” Susan Bridges, President, further noted some broader examples of ongoing initiatives. Regarding BPC’s efforts toward science, the seasonal (May through October) work of the Citizen Science volunteers was reviewed showing the impressive dedication of the 53 volunteers that are involved in the bi-weekly cyanobacteria water quality monitoring project. In terms of education, the Pond Education program that includes a pond curriculum and field trips for 2nd and 5th graders was also reviewed. In addition, the BPC’s efforts in pond outreach to various pond neighborhood organizations was also highlighted, underscoring how BPC is continuing its advocacy of the health of Brewster’s ponds in many different ways in the community. The BPC “Splash Award” was presented to Kristi Dondlinger, an active volunteer who continues to support the organization with her time and talents in many capacities, including by participating in the Citizen Science team and Events Committee. Rob Condon, Treasurer, provided a financial summary that cited the overall financial health of the organization as well as how the BPC spends the donations of its members. This summary transitioned into the main presentation of the meeting, led by John Keith, Vice President. John’s presentation, entitled “Water Resource Planning: What is Needed for Brewster,” dove into the BPC’s position regarding a water resource action plan, what is and is not known regarding Brewster’s drinking water, pond impairment and its causes, and septic system impacts. He explained the BPC’s “Septic System Impact Study” that has just begun with the purpose of gaining a better understanding of how phosphorus travels from systems towards ponds. A lively discussion followed the presentations, with many questions raised and answered. Several members noted the positive work the BPC is doing to support its mission and continue to raise awareness within the community. You can view all the slides that were presented at the meeting by clicking here. The recorded presentation will be posted on the website and the BPC YouTube channel soon.  Photographs courtesy of William F. Pomeroy. Top photo: Susan Bridges, President, addressing the audience. Bottom photo: Kristi Dondlinger commenting on her receipt of the "Splash Award," awarded by Nancy Ortiz, Secretary.  Thursday, August 24, 2023 Beginning at 9:15 AM Don't miss this opportunity to ride with the BPC Cycling Group this summer on Thursday, August 24. We will meet at the Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT) parking lot across from The Hot Chocolate Sparrow in Orleans at 9:15 AM. The ride will take us east on the CCRT into Eastham with a stop for refreshments at the halfway point. This will be an 11-mile ride at a leisurely pace. Read the BPC Cycling Group Rules of the Road before signing up. Sign up for the ride here.  Photograph courtesy of William F. Pomeroy.
As noted in previous posts, the Brewster Ponds Coalition donated $5,000 to the Brewster Conservation Trust (BCT) toward the purchase of the Sea Camps Long Pond property. BPC remains supportive of the Town of Brewster's planning process regarding the future of this part of our community and encourages all residents to attend the community forums and surveys to make their thoughts and concerns known. The BCT has just posted on its website a position paper entitled, "Long Pond Property: Water Quality is Priority One." This document details BCT's position on future use and development given its financial pledge toward the town's cost of acquiring the Pond property. The entire document can be viewed and downloaded by clicking on the BCT image below. More information about the planning process and community involvement can also be found on the Town of Brewster website.   Image created by Amaya Giannini. You don't want to miss this event on Saturday, August 12 at the Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church. After a short business session, BPC Board members will deliver a detailed presentation regarding its thoughts about what needs to be included in a town-wide comprehensive water resources management study that outlines steps to remediate pollution from multiple sources (septic systems, stormwater runout, fertilizer) that are affecting our freshwater ponds, the bay and estuaries, and aquifer. We hope to you join us!
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