Dennis Conservation Trust to Hold Annual Auction on July 20th

The Dennis Conservation Trust (DCT) will hold its annual auction on Sunday, July 20, 2008, at the Dennis village green. The event “marks the seventh year for the DCT auction and will focus on the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Trust. The event has become not only a summer tradition bringing together a wonderful gathering of people to support land preservation and open space, but also an enjoyable evening of festivities.” Guests will enjoy food, beverages, and the auction.

More information and the Auctions Item List is available on the Dennis Conservation Trust’s website.

Lands Protected by Dennis Conservation Trust

The Dennis Conservation Trust, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, has a neat table on its website detailing all of the acreage it has protected from its founding in 1988 through 2006. With 69 transactions comprising a total of 468.5 acres, here’s another way of looking at the table:

Acreage

Upland – 136.7 acres (29.1%)
Wetland – 327.22 acres (69.8%)

More than 25 acres – 3 transactions (4.3%)
10 to 25 acres – 4 transactions (5.7%)
1 to 10 acres – 32 transactions (46.3%)
Less than 1 acre – 27 transactions (39.1%)
Not specified – 2 transactions (2.8%)

Acquisition Type

Gift – 51 transactions (73.9%)
Gift, Purchase – 12 transactions (17.3%)
Conservation Restriction – 5 transactions (7.2%)
Purchase – 1 transaction (1.4%)

The largest parcel preserved by the Dennis Conservation Trust: a 205-acre tract of salt marsh donated in 1994.

The Trust's 2008 Annual Auction is scheduled for July 20, 2008, at the Dennis town green. For details, or to learn more about what the Dennis Conservation Trust has accomplished over the past 20 years, please read the Trust's Summer 2008 Newsletter.

Deadline for Mass Division of Conservation Services Grant Round is July 15th

Originally announced back in April, the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services (DCS) is conducting its Fiscal Year 2009 grant round for the state LAND (Local Acquisition for Natural Diversity) and PARC (Parkland Acquisition and Renovation for Communities) Grant Programs and for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Program. Municipalities are eligible to apply and the deadline for submitting a grant application is July 15, 2008.

Even if your community is not involved in applying for one of the grants, the 24-page PowerPoint presentation and three-page Q&A from DCS’s grants workshop of May 21, 2008, are worth reading.

Also, we note that recent DCS conservation and recreation grants include:

•  Town of Barnstable, FY 2006 Self-Help Grant Award of $500,000 toward a $1.5 million conservation project to protect 13 acres at the Archibald Property

•  Town of Barnstable, Urban Self-Help FY 2007 Design/Early Construction grant of $48,600 and Urban Self-Help FY 2008 Construction grant of $451,400 toward a $1 million renovation project of Bismore Park

•  Town of Barnstable, FY 2008 PARC Urban Self-Help Grant Award of $294,300 toward a $545,000 acquisition of 0.3 acres on Pleasant St. for a park

•  Town of Brewster, FY 2008 LAND Self-Help Grant Award of $500,000 toward a $1.2 million conservation project to protect 10 acres at Stony Brook

•  Town of Dennis, FY 2005 Self-Help Grant Award of $500,000 toward a $1.3 million conservation project to protect 28 acres of the Sears Property at Crowe’s Pasture

•  Town of Dennis, FY 2006 Self-Help Grant Award of $243,000 toward a $450,000 conservation project to protect 4.5 acres of the Welch Property at Crowe’s Pasture

•  Town of Dennis, Urban Self-Help FY 2006 Design/Early Construction grant of $500,000 toward a $3.2 million recreation project at Bass River Park

•  Town of Dennis, FY 2007 Self-Help Grant Award of $500,000 toward a $1.2 million conservation project to protect 6 acres at Paddock Farm

•  Town of Dennis, FY 2008 PARC Urban Self-Help Grant Award of $261,464 toward a $502,815 project at Seaview Playland Park

•  Town of Harwich, FY 2005 Self-Help Grant Award of $500,000 toward a $1.6 million conservation project to protect 14 acres of the Marini Property

•  Town of Orleans, FY 2006 Self-Help Grant Award of $500,000 toward a $1.8 million conservation project to protect 8 acres of the Peck Property at Areys Pond

•  Town of Orleans, FY 2008 LAND Self-Help Grant Award of $500,000 toward a $1.25 million conservation project to protect 6.5 acres of the Sparrow Property

•  Town of Provincetown, FY 2007 Self-Help Grant Award of $177,060 toward a $340,500 conservation project to protect 2 acres at Jimmy’s Pond

•  Town of Wellfleet, FY 2005 Self-Help Grant Award of $94,600 toward a $182,000 conservation project to protect 2 acres at the East End Conservation Property

•  Town of Wellfleet, FY 2005 Self-Help Grant Award of $196,000 toward a $377,000 conservation project to protect 6 acres at Fox Island Marsh

•  Town of Wellfleet, FY 2006 Self-Help Grant Award of $351,000 toward a $650,000 conservation project to protect 4.5 acres at Whale Bone Point

•  Town of Yarmouth, FY 2008 LAND Self-Help Grant Award of $250,000 toward a $500,000 conservation project to protect 3 acres at Dennis Pond

Dennis Celebrates Completion of Sesuit Neck Salt Marsh Restoration

“Dennis Celebrates Completion of Sesuit Creek Watershed Restoration Project"
The Register, June 13, 2008
By Nicole Muller

Nicole Muller reports that the town of Dennis celebrated the completion of a six-year, 65-acre salt marsh restoration project on Sesuit Neck. The project, which enlarged a culvert to increase the flow of water into Sesuit Creek marsh and repaired the accompanying bridge and road, is the largest salt marsh restoration in Massachusetts. The project was funded with $1.4 million in state and federal grants, $300,000 from the town, and $150,000 from the Sesuit Neck Homeowners Association.

Bass River Park in Dennis Seeks Community Support for Grant

“Park Committee Seeks Community Support for Grant”
The Register, June 9, 2008
By Nicole Muller

WEST DENNIS -- In early July, the Bass River Park Property Use Committee will present its application for a Parkland Acquisition and Renovations for Communities (formerly Urban Self-Help) grant of up to $500,000 to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. ...

Dennis residents who supported the land purchase and look forward to its development into a scenic vista along the Bass River are encouraged to write letters sharing their enthusiasm for the project. ... ©

Read the full article in The Register.

Also, read about the Dennis Conservation Trust’s Bass River 2008 Summer Kickoff party to celebrate the Bass River Park. The party, scheduled to be held on Saturday, June 28, 2008, will feature a boat tour of the river.

2008 Conservation Teachers of the Year

As the school year comes to a close, it’s worth recalling that last month two Cape Cod teachers, Sally Andreola, a fifth-grade teacher in Harwich, and Thad Rice, a history teacher at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, were named 2008 Conservation Teachers of the Year.

The annual awards, given by Mass Audubon and the New England Farm and Garden Association, honor public school educators who exemplify excellence in teaching and creativity in environmental education.

Fore more information and summaries of the award-winning projects developed by Ms. Andreola and Mr. Rice, please read Mass Audubon’s press release of May 8, 2008.

Cape Walk 2008 Unfazed by Rain

“Biennial Walk Across Cape Presses on Despite Rain”
Cape Cod Times, June 5, 2008
By Susan Milton

BREWSTER -- Charlie Manolakis could easily drive from Provincetown to Bourne in 90 minutes or less.

But every two years, the Tucson retiree takes nine days to walk an estimated 100 miles of trail between the towns. He's done Cape Walk, a hike sponsored by Cape Cod Pathways, eight times since 1995. ...

Despite obstacles, participation in Cape Walk has grown, and this year, included the most people yet ... ©

Read the full article in the Cape Cod Times.

For a participant’s account of this year’s walk and a collection of related photographs, please read Walking CapeWalk, a blog maintained by Lucy Loomis, “casual hiker, mom, and Director of the Sturgis Library in Barnstable Village.”

Also, note that Cape Cod Pathways hosts an annual Walking Weekend every October. Check the 2007 schedule for a taste of what this year's event might entail.

Cape Walk 2008: May 31st to June 8th

The seventh Cape Walk, a nine-day trek across Cape Cod with some of the region's most experienced hikers and trail walkers, starts today, May 31, 2008, at Herring Cove in Provincetown. The walk will end at Scusset Beach State Reservation in Bourne, on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

Sponsored by Cape Cod Pathways, the walk is not a fundraiser but rather a celebration of Cape Cod's many conservation areas. Participants can walk one day, join in for several days, or walk the entire distance over the nine-day event:

•  Day 1, Saturday, May 31st, Provincetown to Truro
•  Day 2, Sunday, June 1st, Truro to Wellfleet
•  Day 3, Monday, June 2nd, Wellfleet to Eastham
•  Day 4, Tuesday, June 3rd, Eastham to Brewster
•  Day 5, Wednesday, June 4th, Brewster to Dennis
•  Day 6, Thursday, June 5th, Dennis to Yarmouth
•  Day 7, Friday, June 6th, Yarmouth to Barnstable
•  Day 8, Saturday, June 7th, Barnstable to Sandwich
•  Day 9, Sunday, June 8th, Sandwich to Bourne

For more information and complete details of each day's walk, please read the six-page program booklet.

Cape Walk 2008: May 31st to June 8th

The seventh Cape Walk, a nine-day trek across Cape Cod with some of the region's most experienced hikers and trail walkers, will journey from Herring Cove in Provincetown, Saturday, May 31, to Scusset Beach State Reservation in Bourne, Sunday, June 8, 2008.

Sponsored by Cape Cod Pathways, the walk is not a fundraiser but rather a celebration of Cape Cod's many conservation areas. Participants can walk one day, join in for several days, or walk the entire distance over the nine-day event:

•  Day 1, Saturday, May 31, Provincetown to Truro
•  Day 2, Sunday, June 1, Truro to Wellfleet
•  Day 3, Monday, June 2, Wellfleet to Eastham
•  Day 4, Tuesday, June 3, Eastham to Brewster
•  Day 5, Wednesday, June 4, Brewster to Dennis
•  Day 6, Thursday, June 5, Dennis to Yarmouth
•  Day 7, Friday, June 6, Yarmouth to Barnstable
•  Day 8, Saturday, June 7, Barnstable to Sandwich
•  Day 9, Sunday, June 8, Sandwich to Bourne

For more information and complete details of each day's walk, please read the six-page program booklet.

2007 Town Annual Reports

Several towns have posted their 2007 Annual Reports on the Internet. While reading these reports isn't as enjoyable as reading a Robert Finch essay, it's a great way to learn about the accomplishments of municipal conservation, land acquisition, open space, and community preservation committees.

Reports for the following towns are available in pdf format. Note that some of the files are quite large and can take a while to download.

•  Barnstable (44 MB, 236 pages)

•  Bourne (11.7 MB, 368 pages)

•  Chatham (15.1 MB, 274 pages)

•  Dennis (4.4 MB, 467 pages)

•  Falmouth (2.5 MB, 216 pages)

•  Orleans (1.8 MB, 187 pages)

•  Provincetown (668 KB, 229 pages)

•  Sandwich (2.1 MB, 160 pages)

•  West Tisbury (5.3 MB, 194 pages)

Nature Conservancy Hires Goldman Sachs Banker as New Chief Executive

"Nature Conservancy Hires Investment Banker as Its New CEO"
The Chronicle of Philanthropy, May 9, 2008
By Peter Panepento

WASHINGTON -- The Nature Conservancy today named an investment manager with a deep background in environmental issues to be its new chief executive.

Mark R. Tercek, 51, managing director at the investment firm Goldman Sachs and head of the firm’s Center for Environmental Markets, will replace Steven J. McCormick, who left the charity in October.

Mr. Tercek, who will start his new position in July, takes over at an important time for the nation’s largest environmental-conservation charity. ... ©

Read the full article in The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 23,000 acres in Massachusetts and owns 20 preserves, including three on Cape Cod (Grassy Pond in Dennis, Boat Meadow in Eastham, and Sandy Neck in Barnstable) and six on the Islands (David H. Smith Preserve and Katama Plains in Edgartown; Hoft Farm, Francis Newhall Preserve, and Homer-Watcha Preserve in West Tisbury; Miacomet Moors on Nantucket).

Cape Cod Bank Supports Dennis Conservation Trust

"Cape Cod 5 Supports Dennis Conservation Trust"
The Register, May 05, 2008

DENNIS -- This morning, Cape Cod 5 Cents Savings Bank contributed $2,000 to support the Dennis Conservation Trust’s summer auction. Dave Berry, chairman of the Trust’s corporate acquisitions committee, accepted the check from Marketing Director Alan Wannamaker at the bank's newest branch off Route 134 in South Dennis.

DCT’s auction, conducted each summer on the Dennis Village green, is the group’s major fundraising event for open space acquisition and protection. “When the bank supports the auction, they’re enabling all the funds the auction raises to go directly to our work,” Berry said. ©

This year’s auction is set for Sunday, July 20, 2008. Meanwhile, read about the 2007 auction.

Dennis Salt Marsh Restoration Part of Renaissance

"Marsh Restorations Undue Years of Harm"
Cape Cod Times, May 5, 2008
By Doug Fraser

DENNIS -- When it is dedicated June 13, the $1.5 million Bridge Street bridge project in East Dennis will officially become the largest saltwater marsh restoration in Massachusetts, with 65 acres of reclaimed marsh.

But that is really just the beginning. Fourteen more salt marsh projects are already in the works, including the granddaddy of them all, the largest such project on the East Coast: the restoration of an estimated 1,000 acres of the Herring River marsh in Wellfleet, which cost $12 million to $15 million.

In Massachusetts, especially on Cape Cod, it is the renaissance of salt marsh restoration. ... over the past decade Cape towns, working with federal, state, county and private individuals and organizations, have been restoring their access to the sea. Since 1994, 16 Cape salt marshes totaling 330 acres have been rejuvenated ... ©

Read the full article in the Cape Cod Times.