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.

Coalition for Buzzards Bay to Take the Plunge

Swim Buzzards Bay, a 1.2-mile open water swim and fundraising event for the Coalition for Buzzards Bay, will take place next Saturday, July 19, 2008. The swim, from Davy’s Locker Beach in New Bedford to Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven, affirms the importance of clean water and a healthy environment and raises money for the Coalition’s education, conservation, research and advocacy programs.

To register to swim, sponsor a swimmer, or view photos from the 2007 swim, please visit the Coalition for Buzzards Bay’s website.

Association to Preserve Cape Cod Seeks Volunteers for Salt Marsh Monitoring Program

“Plant Surveying Workshop in Brewster”
GateHouse News Service, July 2, 2008

GateHouse News Service reports that the Association to Preserve Cape Cod is seeking volunteers for the sixth year of its salt marsh monitoring program. Volunteers will learn about salt marshes and monitor birds, fish, plants, and salinity at six sites from Sandwich to Orleans. Data “will be used to support state and regional programs that evaluate salt marsh conditions, identify restoration opportunities and assess restoration success.”

A training workshop on plant surveying is scheduled for July 15, 2008, at Stony Brook in Brewster. For more information, please check the Association to Preserve Cape Cod’s webpage about salt marsh monitoring.

Author David Gessner to Speak and Sign Books in Brewster on July 17th

Nature writer David Gessner will speak at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History on Thursday, July 17, 2008, to mark the paperback publication of his most recent book, Soaring with Fidel. A wine & cheese reception and booksigning will follow.

An assistant professor of creative writing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and seasonal resident of Cape Cod, Mr. Gessner is the author of several books about the Cape: A Wild, Rank Place: One Year on Cape Cod (1997), Return of the Osprey: a Season of Flight and Wonder (2002), Sick of Nature (2004), The Prophet of Dry Hill: Lessons from a Life in Nature (2005), and Soaring with Fidel (2007).

David Gessner was interviewed recently by Sarah Burke.

Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation Welcomes New Executive Director

“Sheriff's Meadow Welcomes New Exec Director”
The Martha’s Vineyard Times, July 3, 2008
By Nelson Sigelman

Nelson Sigelman reports that the Board of Directors of the Sheriff's Meadow Foundation on Martha’s Vineyard officially welcomed the new executive director, Adam Moore. Mr. Moore began his tenure in May but has already had the unfortunate task of addressing the “strip mining” of plants from the Foundation’s properties for the benefit of a wealthy West Tisbury landowner.

Ironically, Richard J. Lazarus, a professor and environmental lawyer, is scheduled to speak about "Environmental Law, Climate Change and the New Administration," at the Foundation's Summer Gathering & Dinner on July 21, 2008.

Related articles:

•  “Sheriff's Meadow Foundation Responds to Critics, Supporters,
     The Martha's Vineyard Times, June 5, 2008

•  “An Apology and Response,” Letter to the Editor,
     The Martha’s Vineyard Times, May 29, 2008

•  “Sheriff's Meadow Thumped Over Land Management Actions,”
     The Martha’s Vineyard Times, May 29, 2008

•  "Sheriff’s Meadow Halts All Native Plant Removal On
     Foundation Property,”
     Vineyard Gazette, May 23, 2008

•  “Native Plant Stripping Violates State Law,”
     Vineyard Gazette, May 16, 2008

Friends of Pleasant Bay to Hold Annual Meeting in Harwich on July 17th

The 22nd Annual Meeting of the Friends of Pleasant Bay will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2008, at the Wequassett Inn on Route 28 in East Harwich. Keynote speaker Ted Keon, Director of the Coastal Resources Department in Chatham, will speak about recent barrier beach breaches and the formation of the new Chatham Inlet. The meeting is open to the public free of charge.

Meetings Set for Public Input on Draft 2008 Cape Cod Regional Policy Plan

“Meetings Set for Input on Regional Policy Plan”
Cape Cod Times, July 1, 2008
By Patrick Cassidy

Patrick Cassidy reports that the public will have an opportunity to comment on the Cape Cod Commission’s Draft 2008 Cape Cod Regional Policy Plan at topic-specific meetings to be held at the Barnstable Superior Courthouse, Route 6A, Barnstable. The meeting of July 24, 2008, will cover water resources, coastal resources, wetlands, wildlife and plant habitat, and open space.

The deadline for submitting comments on the draft is August 4, 2008.

Vineyard Conservation Forecast: Cloudy, Some Sun

"Conservation Forecast: Cloudy, Some Sun”
Vineyard Gazette, June 27, 2008
By Mike Seccombe

Mike Seccombe details the Vineyard Conservation Society’s recent annual meeting, which was held on June 24, 2008. In a talk to the membership, Society Executive Director Brendan O’Neill pointed out past accomplishments and future challenges. For example, over the past 30 years, more than 5,000 acres of privately owned land on Martha's Vineyard have been protected through conservation restrictions, about 25% of the open space on the Island. However, looking forward, six parcels of undeveloped land of 100+ acres are unprotected from development. Also, O’Neill drew the connection between traditional land conservation and related issues such as affordable housing and recycling.

State Launches New Park Passport Program

“MA DCR Launches New Park Passport Program”
Cape Cod Today, June 25, 2008

Cape Cod Today reports that the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is launching a new Park Passport program in 76 state parks this Saturday, June 28, 2008. The free program will provide park users with little blue passports and artist-designed stamps to let them document their park visits. The passports also include tips for safe hiking and a guide to identifying animal tracks. Part of the national No Child Left Inside initiative, the Park Passport program is being partly funded with a $36,000 grant from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust.

Participating parks include:

•  Nickerson State Park in Brewster
•  Scusset Beach State Reservation in Sandwich
•  Shawme-Crowell State Forest in Sandwich
•  Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Falmouth

Nantucket Family Adventure Enters Final Week

"Nantucket Family Adventure Leads Children Back Into the Woods”
The Nantucket Independent, June 18, 2008
By Peter B. Brace

Peter Brace reports that the first Nantucket Family Adventure, which started on June 8th, culminates on June 29th, 2008. The event has given 20 participating families an opportunity to explore Nantucket’s conservation lands and ecosystems through geocaching, letterboxes, and scavenger hunts. Event sponsors include the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Mass Audubon, Nantucket Land Council, and the Linda Loring Nature Foundation.

Annual Meeting of Vineyard Conservation Society to be Held June 24th

The June 16-22, 2008 issue of the Vineyard Conservation Society’s Conservation Almanac, a weekly newsletter, notes that the Society’s annual meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 24th, at the Mary P. Wakeman Conservation Center in Tisbury.

Brendan O’Neill, the Society’s executive director, will present a talk entitled “Conservation on Martha’s Vineyard, Looking Forward”. The event is free and open to the general public.

June E-News of the Mass Land Trust Coalition

The June 7, 2008, E-News of the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition is available at the Coalition’s website. Designed for the entire state land conservation community, content includes:

•  New “Land & Water” state license plate funds land protection
•  U.S. Congress renews conservation tax incentive
•  Register for Land Trust Alliance’s Rally 2008 in Pittsburgh
•  Job Opportunities
•  A Guide to Invasive Plants in Massachusetts reprinted

The Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition is “the association of nearly 150 organizations dedicated to increasing the conservation impact of Massachusetts land trusts. The coalition plays a crucial role in advancing key conservation legislation, improving communication and collaboration with state environmental agencies, providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information, and serving as an important networking resource for the state's land trust community.”

We note that Mark H. Robinson, Executive Director of The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, is currently serving a term as Treasurer of the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition.

Mass Audubon’s Bird-a-Thon a Soaring Success

Preliminary results of Mass Audubon’s 25th annual statewide birding competition held May 16-17, 2008, are now available. Despite the damp weather, nearly 700 birders participated in the event, identifying 258 species of birds and helping to raise more than $140,000 for Mass Audubon.

Three Mass Audubon sanctuaries on the Cape and Islands (Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellfleet, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary on Martha’s Vineyard) participated in the event. Collectively, they raised more than $13,000.

Apply for a Scholarship to Attend the Land Trust Alliance’s Rally 2008 in Pittsburgh

Are you financially challenged but still interested in attending the Land Trust Alliance’s Rally 2008, a national land conservation conference, to be held September 18 to 21, 2008, in Pittsburgh, PA?

If you are a staff or board member of one of the Alliance’s member land trusts, you can apply for a Rally 2008 Scholarship to cover the cost of attending the conference.

The Rally 2008 Scholarship application is available online and should be mailed back to the Land Trust Alliance by the deadline of July 14, 2008.

Earth Night 2008 to be Held in Boston

Earth Night 2008, a party to benefit the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM), will be held this Thursday, June 12, 2008, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at The Boston Children’s Museum.

With environmentalists, civic leaders, leaders of business and industry, and concerned citizens expected to attend, Earth Night will raise funds, membership, and awareness for ELM.

Originally established as the Massachusetts Forestry Association in 1898, ELM broadened its scope of activity and now protects the air, lands, and waters of the Commonwealth.

Among the more interesting items which will be auctioned off at Earth Night 2008 is an “Amazon Rain Forest Package at Explorama Lodges -- $1,990 retail value -- Seven-day, six-night Amazon Lodge program for two people -- a 50-mile rapid river boat transfer down the Amazon River to Explorama Lodge, two nights at each of the three lodges along the Amazon and Napo rivers. Trip includes expertly-guided boat rides and naturalist-led hikes. All meals at the Lodges are included as well as 24-hour self-service coffee-tea-pure drinking water. Guidelines must be met for reservations, arrival, and departure. Not included are airfare, airport departure tax,laundry, or bar services.”

And, we note that Maggie Geist, Executive Director of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, is a member of ELM’s Board of Directors.

Land Use Workshop: What About Open Space?

A posting on Conservation Common notes that Eric Hove, Acting Director of Land Use Policy for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, will conduct a workshop entitled What about Open Space? Balancing Development and Preservation, on Thursday, June 12, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Douglas Municipal Center, 29 Depot Street, Douglas, MA.

Here’s a brief description of the workshop: “Municipalities across the Commonwealth struggle with how to preserve open space, especially with increased residential development. This workshop will focus on two tools that can help your community balance growth with preservation: Open Space Residential Design and Transfer of Development Rights."

June is "Funding for the Environment Month"

As part of its "Funding for the Environment Month," the Foundation Center is offering events and training programs on environmental funding at its five regional centers in New York, Atlanta, Cleveland, San Francisco, and Washington.

More convenient is the Foundation Giving Trends Webinar: Focus on Environment and Animals, a free audio and visual presentation to be delivered via Microsoft Office Live Meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 2, 2008.

Here’s a description of the webinar: ”Join us from the comfort of your own office and learn about foundation giving for the environment and animals. Gain insights about the latest funding trends from Foundation Center experts and hear about grantmaking interests and priorities from some of the nation’s top foundations.”

Check the program listing for details about how a webinar works and whether your computer is compatible with Microsoft Office Live Meeting.

Note that according to the Foundation Center’s Highlights of Foundation Giving Trends, 2008 Edition, foundation funding for the “Environment and Animals” totaled $1.1 billion in 2006.

Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative Week

The 2008 Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative Week will be held Sunday, May 25 through Saturday, May 31, 2008.

“The Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative (NBI) is a collaborative effort of Nantucket’s leading conservation organizations and off-island partners to inventory and monitor the many species of plants and animals found on Nantucket and to educate the public about the importance of protecting the rare elements that contribute to Nantucket’s rich local biodiversity.”

Participating organizations include the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Nantucket Islands Land Bank Commission, Massachusetts Audubon Society, Nantucket Land Council, Linda Loring Nature Foundation, The Trustees of Reservations, and Tuckernuck Land Trust.

For more information, read the newspaper article "Explore Island's Wild Side During Biodiversity Week," The Nantucket Independent, May 21, 2008

Orleans Approves Purchase of Sparrow Property; Conservation Trust to Clean Trails

The Cape Codder reports that voters approved ballot Question 8 at the Orleans annual town election of May 20, 2008: “Despite being indefinitely postponed at town meeting to continue negotiations with the land owners, an open space purchase of the Sparrow property in South Orleans passed, even though there was no dollar figure on the ballot.”

Here’s the text of Question 8 as it appeared on the ballot: “Shall the Town of Orleans be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition 2½, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to fund the purchase of all or a portion of the land located at 353 South Orleans Road (Route 28), Orleans, MA consisting of approximately 6.55 acres, shown on the Orleans Assessor’s Map 68 as Parcel 8-1, including all expenses incidental and related thereto?”

Speaking of open space in Orleans, the Orleans Conservation Trust is holding a trail work day at the Icehouse and Rueben’s ponds trails this Friday, May 23, 2008. According to the announcement in The Cape Codder, “These properties, donated to Orleans Conservation Trust by the Hopkins, Moore, Wilbur, Garner-Martin families and others, protect 21.85 acres that wrap around Rueben’s Pond and through the pine-oak woodlands to the west end of Icehouse Pond and connect to Tonset Road by a series of loop trails. The Orleans Conservation Trust also owns a one-acre parcel between Icehouse Pond and Brick Hill Road."

Addendum on Sparrow Property, May 25, 2008:

The aforementioned 6.5-acre Sparrow Property has frontage on Arey's Pond and a tidal river, and is within the Pleasant Bay Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs awarded the Town of Orleans a $500,000 Self-Help grant in November 2007 to help fund the purchase of the parcel. The project has received technical assistance from The Cape Cod Compact of Conservation Trusts.

According to the article “Grants Secure Several Open Space Purchases on Cape,” Cape Cod Times, November 9, 2007, “Orleans received a $500,000 grant to partially reimburse the town's plans to pay $1.27 million for the 6.5-acre Sparrow property on Arey's Pond and Namequoit Road within the Pleasant Bay Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The town is contributing $235,000, and $540,000 is coming from money set aside by the Cape Cod Commission for open space to offset the impact of the Shaw's Market renovation at Skaket Corners in Orleans.”

Questions Remain on Eastham Ocean Beach Issue

"Questions Remain on Beach Issue"
Cape Cod Times, May 14, 2008
By Ken Camarro

What's important in the recent ocean beach vote in Eastham was that 48.6 percent of the voters were in favor of a new beach. Half of Eastham voters believe strongly there is a need that is not being filled by the facilities at Coast Guard or Nauset beaches. ...

Were conservation issues exaggerated? Was it appropriate for the Cape Cod Commission to require a conservation restriction ...

Please don't give up on the ocean beach. The objections to the ocean beach show a prejudice against sharing the wonder of our shore with others. This was not the intent of our land-use charters and regulations. ©

Read the full op-ed piece in the Cape Cod Times.

Related article: "Eastham Ocean Beach Proposal Buried," Cape Cod Times, May 6, 2008