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On October 2, Regenerative Agroecologist Peter Jensen from Terra Firma Permagardens (a BPC business partner) gave an enlightening talk sponsored by the BPC at the Brewster Ladies Library. His presentation, "Zen and The Art of Watercycle Maintenance: An Agroecological Educational Journey, Bringing a Global Approach to Solving Cape Cod's Ecological Challenges," gave audience members ideas for transforming landscapes and gardens with a sense of calm and minimal effort, by taking advantage of what nature has provided. In specific, Peter explained how science and art can be combined to capture and purify formerly destructive runoff to become nourishing subsoil moisture recharge. This gives way to the opportunity for low-maintenance horticultural success. To learn more about Terra Firma Permagardens and its efforts, visit its YouTube channel.  The BPC is made stronger by the 100+ volunteers who share their time and talents among our active teams: Citizen Science, Pond Education, Communications, Events, Pond and Neighborhood Outreach, and Projects. To thank them for all their hard work in 2025, they were invited to attend a Volunteer Appreciation Picnic. Forty four volunteers attended the festive event on Saturday, October 20, at the Long Pond Town Landing in Brewster. Guests were treated to a luncheon and celebrated for their dedication to the organization’s mission. All of the active team members were thanked by BPC President John Keith, the Citizen Science leader Ron Essig, and the Pond Education leader Marcia Kielb. The BPC wishes to thank the Town of Brewster for permitting the use of the Long Pond Town Landing for this special event. Susan Baur and fellow members of the Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage (OLAUG) held an informative talk at the Brewster Ladies Library on September 10, sponsored by the Brewster Ponds Coalition. You may have heard that this group of energetic women aged 65 and older has garnered both national and international attention over the past year, thanks to widespread newspaper articles and TV appearances, including The Boston Globe, NBC Nightly News, AARP magazine, and The Drew Barrymore Show. The ladies captivated approximately 40 attendees with an explanation of OLAUG’s mission, qualifications to join, how the dives are planned and orchestrated, and its fundraising efforts. Susan explained that her love of the ponds and their native inhabitants (especially turtles) grew into an effort to clean up the garbage that she was encountering on her routine swims. As of now, OLAUG consists of 30 members with about 80 on a waiting list to join. When executing dives at a specific pond, OLAUG members work in teams: a “beach boss” directs the action, swimmers dive for garbage, and kayakers haul the trash to shore. Each dive is a fulfilling effort and one step closer to keeping the pond free of trash and healthier to the creatures that live in them and the humans that enjoy them. To learn more about OLAUG, visit its website. Join the BPC and Regenerative Agroecologist Peter Jensen from Terra Firma Permagardens for an enlightening talk, "Zen and The Art of Watercycle Maintenance: An Agroecological Educational Journey, Bringing a Global Approach to Solving Cape Cod's Ecological Challenges." This free, informative talk will be held on Thursday, October 2, from 4:30 to 6 PM, at the Brewster Ladies Library (1822 Main Street). We may not be able to change the climate above our heads, but we can all begin to change the climate below our feet. Through simple solutions, based on Peter's years of work across the globe, science and art combine to capture and purify formerly destructive runoff to become nourishing subsoil moisture recharge, bringing the opportunity for low-maintenance horticultural success.  The Town of Brewster Department of Public Works is offering private residents the option to have their catch basins cleaned. Regular cleaning removes accumulated debris, sediment, and pollutants that can clog the basin and lead to backups, flooding, and environmental contamination. As of August 12, neighborhood associations can sign up for this service. Click here to access the application. The completed form and accompanying payment of $65 must be received by the Town by October 1.  The BPC held its Annual Meeting on Saturday, August 9, at the Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church in East Brewster, with over 80 members and guests attending the two-hour event. If you missed the meeting, a full video recording will be available soon on our website and YouTube channel. In the meantime, here is a recap of what was presented and discussed.
The business portion of the meeting included a review of the BPC’s long-term strategic goals and priorities for the 2025-2026 business year; a review of the organization’s 2024 Full Year and July YTD finances provided by Treasurer, Rob Condon; a bylaw change and Board elections. Susan also recognized two retiring Board members, Rob Condon and Tim Chase, and introduced two new Board members, Bruce Semple and David Jacobs.
Julie began her presentation with a brief review of what cyanobacteria is, how it is formed, environmental conditions that contribute to it, and how the differing characteristics of ponds affect its formation. She also explained the different types of toxins that cyanobacteria can produce and the side effects that might result from exposure. Julie also explained the APCC’s cyanobacteria monitoring program including its work with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Health at individual towns to analyze water samples and provide warning and use restriction notices to the public when safety concerns are identified. She concluded by encouraging the audience to review the APCC Cyanobacteria Monitoring 2025 map for up-to-date news of the status of the ponds that are being monitored. To view all the slides presented at the meeting, click here.
The BPC thanks Agway of Cape Cod (a business partner) for its sponsorship of this year’s event and the Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church for the use of its facilities, audiovisual capabilities, and the support of its staff. Susan Baur, founder of the Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage (OLAUG), will captivate attendees with the efforts of this energetic group of ladies who swim in Cape Cod's freshwater ponds collecting trash. The BPC is sponsoring her talk on Wednesday, September 10, from 2 to 3:30 PM, at the Brewster Ladies Library (1822 Main Street). This free event will be held in the main auditorium and is open to the public. This summer has been a busy one for the group, with more than 20 dives scheduled throughout the area. Although some planned dives have been complicated by cases of cyanobacteria, it's been a banner year for trash! OLAUG has hauled parts of an 18-foot dock and portions of a yellow corvette. As Susan says, "Every dive is an adventure and gives us another story to tell." You won't want to miss hearing about OLAUG's adventures! The Brewster Ponds Coalition (BPC) and the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC) have suspended cyanobacteria monitoring in Nickerson State Park.
APCC and BPC are partners in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of cyanobacteria in certain ponds within Nickerson State Park. We have been notified by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) that our access to the park for the purposes of data collection is contingent upon our obtaining a DCR research permit. Cyano monitoring has been taking place for over 6 years without this requirement. We have been told by DCR to stop monitoring until and unless the permit is granted. The required permit has been applied for. We are currently unable to continue sampling for cyanobacteria within Nickerson State Park until further notice. APCC’s Cyano map will color the ponds within Nickerson State Park as grey, the coloration of ponds not actively being sampled. Users of the ponds within the park are advised to educate themselves about cyanobacteria blooms and use their own judgement and observations to make decisions governing use of the ponds. Click here to access the APCC Cyanobacteria Monitoring 2025 map. The weather was perfect on Saturday, July 12 for the 14th annual Brewster Conservation Day (BCD). This year’s event featured a new location at the Sea Camps Property that provided more space to include expanded activities for adults and children alike. The Brewster Conservation Trust, the Town of Brewster, and the Brewster Ponds Coalition once again sponsored the event. New this year was “The Creativity Zone,” a special area created just for children that included hands-on crafts, face painting, sing-alongs, and more - all that underscored this year’s theme of “Trees: Superheroes of the Natural World.” The BPC exhibit included CapeCorps’ “The Big Flush,” manned by BPC volunteers. Many children enjoyed being “flushed,” with sounds mimicking a real flushing toilet. They also had fun chatting with Shelly the Turtle! Additionally, the BPC exhibit gave visitors the opportunity to receive information on our signature programs including the Pond Protection Pledge, Citizen Science, and Pond Education, as well as learning more about membership and volunteer opportunities.  Saturday, August 9 8:30 to 9:00 AM: Registration & Breakfast 9:00 to 11:00 AM: Business Meeting & Guest Speaker Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church (3600 Main Street, Brewster) Don't miss this important BPC annual event! Following registration and breakfast, a brief summary of the past year's events, awards, and a business meeting will take place before the Annual Meeting's guest speaker.
The Annual Meeting is free to BPC members, so be sure to reserve your spot. For non-members, we are suggesting a $10 donation at the event. Many thanks to Agway of Cape Cod, a BPC business partner, for its sponsorship of this year's meeting.
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