 The recent BPC 10th Annual Meeting held on August 10 at the Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church was attended by a reporter from The Cape Cod Chronicle. An article noting the comments made by First Barnstable District State Representative Christopher Flanagan, the meeting’s guest speaker, has just been published. This article highlights Mr. Flanagan’s presentation and his positive comments about the BPC’s past and ongoing efforts focused on water quality in the community.
If you missed the article, you can read it by clicking here. (The masthead of the newspaper above is the copyright of The Cape Cod Chronicle.) The BPC celebrated its 10th anniversary during the Annual Meeting held on Saturday, August 10 at the Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church in East Brewster. Over 80 members and guests attended the two-hour event, including all of the BPC’s founding Board of Directors. If you could not attend, a full video recording of the meeting will be available soon on our website and YouTube channel. In the meantime, here is a recap of what was presented and discussed. Susan Bridges, BPC President, began the meeting with highlights of the organization’s activities since August 2023, including Citizen Science, Pond Education, Adult Education, town-wide events, and the ground-breaking Septic System Impact Study. She also presented the BPC’s long-term strategic goals and priorities for the 2024-2025 business year. Rob Condon, BPC Treasurer, provided a financial summary that gave members and guests an overview of income, expenses, and how donations are allocated among the various segments of the organization. You can view the entire presentation here for the detailed information. Susan took time to recognize three Board members that are retiring from their respective positions and applaud them for their outstanding service and dedication. Marty Burke (Membership and Citizen Science Teams Coordinator), Mary Mauterstock (Events Team Coordinator and Membership), and Nancy Ortiz (Secretary and Assistant Treasurer) received resounding applause from the attendees, recognizing their untiring efforts and contributions. At each Annual Meeting, the BPC gives its “Splash Award,” recognizing a volunteer who has made a splash through his or her contributions to improve the water quality, beauty, or natural habitats of Brewster’s ponds. This year it was awarded to Gwen Pelletier, one of the original founders of the BPC who has been instrumental in so many facets of the organization during the past decade. Without Gwen’s foresight and dedication, the BPC would not be doing its important work to protect and improve the health of Brewster’s beautiful freshwater ponds. The group then heard from State Representative Christopher Flanagan, the guest speaker. He presented the State’s stance on water quality including Title 5 regulations, Holtec and the DEP’s position on its discharge into the Cape Cod Bay, the proposed Machine Gun Range at the Joint Base Cape Cod, as well as various items currently in legislation such as earmarks, grant opportunities, PFAs, and an Environmental Bond Bill planned for the next year. You can read more about Mr. Flanagan's comments in this article just published in The Cape Cod Chronicle. Mr. Flanagan presented Susan with an official document from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, congratulating the organization on its 10-year anniversary and expressing hope for future and continued success in all its endeavors. The Annual Meeting ended with a birthday cake for the BPC that was enjoyed by all! The BPC thanks The Leighton Team 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. Top left photo: Outgoing Board members Marty Burke, Mary Mauterstock, and Nancy Ortiz are celebrated for their service to the BPC by Susan Bridges. Top right photo: Gwen Pelletier, third from left, accepting the "Splash Award" from (left to right) Marty Burke, John Keith, and Susan Bridges. Top left photo: State Representative Christopher Flanagan. Top right photo: State Representative Christopher Flanagan presenting the proclamation to Susan Bridges.  Pictured above are present and past leaders of the BPC. Front row (left to right) are Rob Condon, Christopher Flanagan, Susan Bridges, Tim Chase, Karen Malkus-Benjamin, Gwen Pelletier, Marcia Kielb, Linda Darbyshire, Nancy Ortiz, and Mary Mauterstock. Back row (left to right) are Tony Ortiz, Konrad Schultz, Marty Burke, Tom Vautin, John Keith, Ron Essig, and Kevin Kearns.   The BPC's third summer bike ride is scheduled for Thursday, August 29 at 9:15 AM. The meeting location will be the Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT) parking lot across from The Hot Chocolate Sparrow in Orleans. The ride will go east on the CCRT into Wellfleet with a refreshment stop at the halfway point, PB Boulangerie. This will be a 15-mile ride at a leisurely pace. Come and enjoy the fun! Registration is required and the ride is limited to 12 cyclists. Be sure to read the BPC Cycling Group's Rules of the Road for more information.  Photograph from a previous BPC bike ride, courtesy of William F. Pomeroy.
Pictured above, left to right, are Upper Mill Pond and Lower Mill Pond on test date 7/23/24.
On July 23, 2024, water sampling and visual observations were conducted at Upper Mill Pond (kayak launch site on Run Hill Road and from the pond deep spot) and at Lower Mill Pond (association kayak launch site on Mill Pond Drive and the Stony Brook Grist Mill on Stony Brook Road) for ongoing monitoring of cyanobacteria originally detected on July 8. The lab results revealed that the level of cyanobacteria continues to decrease but small blooms remain visible at various locations on both ponds. The Advisory posted by the Brewster Health Department in collaboration with the Brewster Ponds Coalition will remain in place as a precautionary measure until the algal blooms dissipate. Please use caution and avoid contact with water in and around a visible bloom. If exposed to a bloom, rinse off as soon as possible to avoid possible skin irritation. The BPC will continue the work of monitoring the freshwater ponds in Brewster to provide timely notification to residents of potentially harmful algal blooms. For additional information, please visit this informative Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection resource or contact Marty Burke at the BPC via e-mail ([email protected]). In addition, please read this article recently printed in The Cape Cod Chronicle that reports on the growing problem of cyanobacteria among Cape Cod's freshwater ponds. Don’t miss this unique experience! Join the Brewster Ponds Coalition and SUPfari Adventures (a BPC business partner) on an evening glow Eco Paddle “fun-raiser” that will begin at Arey’s Pond in Orleans at 7:00 PM on Sunday, August 11. This unique activity combines the sights and sounds of the “golden” sunset hours with the peace and stillness of the evening. With a single switch, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) will transform into floating flashlights, illuminating the marine life beneath the water’s surface. The Eco Paddle guides will lead you from Arey’s Pond into Little Pleasant Bay and back. The event is approximately 1½-2 hours and includes a brief safety instruction. Kayaks, paddleboards, and gear including personal flotation devices, will be provided by SUPfari Adventures. Spaces will fill up quickly as this unique event is limited to 12 participants (minimum age is 14). Admission is $50 for ages 14-25, and $75 for anyone over age 25. When registering, please indicate your choice of a kayak or SUP. More details, including what to wear and parking information, will be provided to registrants in advance of the event.   Photographs above courtesy of SUPfari Adventures.
The Falmouth Pond Coalition, an organization with a mission very closely aligned with the BPC, is planning a webinar on Thursday, August 22 from 4-5:30 PM entitled Freshwater Pond Science 101. This webinar is a great way to understand the basic biological, chemical, and physical processes that guide these ecosystems. The program is open to anyone who resides on Cape Cod. Click here for the full details about the webinar topics and speakers. The event is free, and registration is appreciated for planning purposes.  MASSTC "Waste No Water" Library Tour Wednesday, July 24: 2 - 3 PM Auditorium, Brewster Ladies Library 1822 Main Street, Brewster The Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASSTC) is conducting a library series in Cape Cod towns that focuses on the wastewater successes and challenges that each town faces. You are invited to attend the program being held in Brewster on July 24 at the Brewster Ladies Library, from 2-3 PM. Those attending will gain a better understanding of wastewater and how innovative/alternative (I/A) systems are one important aspect that are being used to assist with reducing harmful nutrient outflow into groundwater. To learn more about the speakers and to register for this informative and free event, click here.  Saturday, August 10 8:30 - 11 AM Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church 3600 Main Street, East Brewster It's hard to believe, but the Brewster Ponds Coalition is celebrating its 10th year this summer! In honor of this occasion, we will be including a small celebration of all our hard work during the upcoming Annual Meeting. Please mark Saturday, August 10 from 8:30 - 11 AM on your calendars for this meeting at the Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church. Registration and breakfast will begin at 8:30 AM, with the meeting starting at 9 AM.  The BPC is excited to announce that the guest speaker will be Christopher Flanagan, a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 1st Barnstable District, representing Brewster, Dennis, and Yarmouth. Mr. Flanagan has represented the district since 2023. Prior to being elected to the State House, he worked in the Offices of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of State and as the administrative director of the Offices of Senator John F. Kerry and William "Mo" Cowan. His presentation at the Annual Meeting will focus on important issues to Brewster residents that are currently being discussed at the state level. The Annual Meeting is free to BPC members so be sure to reserve your spot. For non-members, we are suggesting a $10 donation payable at the event. Many thanks to The Leighton Team, a BPC business partner, for its sponsorship of this year's meeting.
 Unfortunately, and for the first time ever, Brewster Conservation Day 2024 is cancelled due to consistent weather forecasts predicting bad weather on Saturday. Such conditions would make the event difficult for exhibitors and volunteers and provide a less than enjoyable experience for attendees. The sponsors of this event - Brewster Conservation Trust (BCT), the Town of Brewster Department of Natural Resources, the Brewster Historical Society, and the BPC - would like to thank the Brewster community for its continued enthusiasm and support of this yearly event as well as the local businesses that so generously donate food and beverages for the volunteers. We look forward to BCD 2025! In the meantime, you can enjoy these activities during Brewster Conservation Week: Calf Field Pond Walk
Tuesday, July 16 at 8 AM Led by the BCT, come learn about the historical uses of this special part of Brewster, how those uses impacted the forests, and how the forests have responded over time. Click here to register. Ruth Pond Walk Saturday, July 20 at 10 AM Join the BPC on this three-mile walk through Nickerson State Park to Ruth Pond. Click here to learn more and register.  Photograph of the "The Big Flush" at BCD 2023, courtesy of William F. Pomeroy. Brewster Conservation Day 2024 Saturday, July 13: 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Drummer Boy Park, Brewster BCD 2024 is just a few short weeks away! Plan to attend this informative event that is always highlighted as the best conversation fair on Cape Cod. There will be approximately 38 unique environmental exhibits focusing on aquaculture, recycling, native plant gardening, and so much more. This year's theme is "Trees: Superheroes of the Natural World" and there will be exhibits and presentations related to the history of Cape Cod's forests, their environmental benefits, and how we can protect them for the future.
Plan to stop by the BPC exhibit to learn about our ongoing programs such as Citizen Science and Pond Education. As in years past, we will feature "The Big Flush." Over 100 visitors enjoyed being "flushed" at last year's fair! The Conservation Day Committee is still looking for volunteers to assist with various activities such as parking, food service, greeting visitors at the welcome tent, and more. If you are interested in volunteering, please click here to see the full list and sign up. BCD is sponsored by the Brewster Conservation Trust (BCT), the Town of Brewster Department of Natural Resources, the Brewster Historical Society, and the BPC. More information can be found on the BCT website. |
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