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!
Just click on the button above for more information and to register! Saturday, August 19, 2023 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Terra Firma Permagardens 155 Monument Road, Orleans There are many ecological challenges facing Cape Cod: summer drought, winter erosion, pollinator habitat loss, excess nutrients in our ponds and marshes, road runoff toxins flowing from overwhelmed storm drains, and weak garden soils leading to poor vegetable harvests. The wonderful news is this: the answer to all of these challenges lies in the leaves. When applied correctly and efficiently, through the creation of compost and hugel terraces, brown leaves will keep the landscape green and the water blue. While autumn leaves and fallen limbs can be a winter nuisance when they clog our gutters, storm drains and perennial beds, it’s important to know that they also hold the answer to our troubles. These gardens effectively capture the rain as well as the formerly wasted or destructive runoff allowing both to become deeply nourishing subsoil moisture. We will delve into the design as well as the actual log, leaf, chip, and compost-based construction of hillside hugel terraces. Previously constructed hugel terraces in various stages of completion are on full display across the property for your careful observation. Join this informative event! Please plan to arrive any time after 9:30 AM so the workshop can start on time. Sturdy shoes and clothes, gloves, hats, and water bottles are encouraged as this is a HANDS-ON workshop. This FREE event has a maximum attendance of 20 so please register soon via this link. Photographs courtesy of Terra Firma Permagardens. Left photo is of a hugel terrace in progress, while the right photo shows one completed.
Here's your chance to enjoy a nice evening on the water! Join the BPC and SUPfari Adventures (a BPC business partner) this Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 5 PM for a two-hour paddle on Long Pond. SUPfari Adventures' guides Ryan Burch and Luke Foley will lead you by the newly acquired Sea Camps property, surely a place of interest given the town's current community forums regarding its proposed uses and development. The paddle will go through Harwich and Brewster where you will see firsthand the shoreline differences. Spread the word to your friends, neighbors and even those summer visitors! This event is a great way to experience the ponds of Brewster. Spots are limited with 12 participants maximum, so we encourage you to sign up NOW! The fee is $76 per person, and pre-registration and payment are required. Full details regarding where to meet will be provided after signing up. Don't miss the fun! Sign up here! Photos courtesy of William F. Pomeroy.
Punkhorn Parklands 3.5-mile Hike
Wednesday, August 9, 2023 Beginning at 10:00 AM Run Hill Road, Brewster Join the BPC and leader Nancy Ortiz for a 3.5-mile narrated hike through the Punkhorn Parklands beginning at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 9 (rain date is Thursday, August 10). We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and bringing water and a snack. The area is mostly flat; however, there will be some rocky trails and roots. You are encouraged to take photos. There is a maximum of 25 participants. Details will be sent to registered participants in advance of the hike. Please register here. Saturday, August 5, 2023 Bay Property Dining Hall Choose to attend one of three, one-hour sessions: 1 - 2 PM, 2 - 3 PM, or 3 - 4 PM Property open for public exploration on foot: 12 - 5 PM The Town of Brewster is holding the second of six public forums to determine future uses of the former Sea Camps properties. Community Forum #2 will share preliminary scenarios for both the Bay and Pond properties based on the feedback received during Community Forum #1 and the survey. Click here to view more details. Registration for the forum is limited to Brewster residents and it is important to register in advance for one of the workshop times. To register, click here. To learn more about the Sea Camps properties, be sure to visit the town website. Photo courtesy of the Town of Brewster website.
Saturday, August 12, 2023 9:00 - 11:00 AM Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church 3600 Main Street, East Brewster Mark your calendar! The BPC Annual Meeting is just about a month away. Following a brief business meeting, the BPC Board members will deliver a detailed presentation regarding what the Board thinks needs to be included in a town-wide comprehensive water resources management study that addresses and outlines steps to remediate pollution from septic systems, stormwater runout, and fertilizer affecting freshwater ponds, the bay and estuaries, and aquifer. This presentation and its ensuing discussion will surely be of interest to all attendees. In addition, the BPC will announce its annual Splash Award, which is presented each year to a BPC volunteer who has made a splash and a difference to our group, through his/her contribution of time and skills. Beginning at 8:30 AM, breakfast quiche (from Marion's Pie Shop), fresh fruit, and coffee will be served. This event is limited to 100 attendees and FREE to BPC members. For non-members, we suggest a $10 donation. Sign up to attend the Annual Meeting! #brewsterconservationtrust Photo of the BPC 2022 Annual Meeting, courtesy of William F. Pomeroy.
Sponsored by the Brewster Conservation Trust, Town of Brewster Department of Natural Resources, Brewster Historical Society, and the Brewster Ponds Coalition, Brewster Conservation Day (BCD) 2023 held on Saturday, July 8 at Drummer Boy Park was an enormous success! Over 1,100 people - adults and children alike - visited more than 40 interactive exhibits. Attendees learned about reducing litter and pollution, water quality, eco-gardening strategies, marine life rescue, native plants, wastewater treatment options, and much more. The BPC exhibit, The Big Flush, was again a big attraction with over 120 children experiencing a simulated flushing toilet, complete with sound effects! For the second year in a row, The Big Flush won one of the best exhibit awards. Other winners were the Garden Club of Brewster and Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage (OLAUG). The BPC would like to thank AmeriCorps Cape Cod for building The Big Flush as well as transporting and setting it up, and to all the dedicated volunteers who contributed their time and effort to this fun conservation fair. Right photo courtesy of William F. Pomeroy.
Saturday, July 22, 2023 5:00 - 7:00 PM Long Pond, Brewster Join BPC and SUPfari Adventures (a BPC Business Partner) for an informative guided tour of Long Pond! Paddle by the newly acquired Sea Camps pond property and observe the shoreline differences between Harwich and Brewster. Your SUPfari Adventures guides, Ryan Burch and Luke Foley, will discuss the importance of vegetative buffers and explain why incorporating native plants is particularly important. The paddle is limited to 12 participants. The fee is $76 per person, and pre-registration and payment are required. This is a no-refund, no cancellation event since reservations are extremely limited and spots will go fast! Click here to register soon! |
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