The mist didn’t deter almost forty Brewster Ponds Coalition or Orleans Pond Coalition members from exploring Bakers Pond, one of the Cape’s least impaired ponds, on November 19, 2016. BPC board members, Gwen Pelletier and Sue Searles, guided the group along dirt roads and trails around the pond’s beautiful shores. Talks along the way provided a more in-depth look at this very special place: Ron Mgrdichian, President of The Friends of Bakers Pond, shared local color and pond history. BPC board member, Karen Malkus-Benjamin—assisted by AmeriCorps member Corey Bray—introduced walkers to creatures that live in the pond's bottom. All-in-all, it was a fun and interesting walk!
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Hosted by The Brewster Ponds Coalition
With Support From The Orleans Pond Coalition Saturday, November 19. 10:00 AM 1 1/2 to 2 hours Brewster and Orleans share ownership of Baker's Pond; both towns have preserved conservation land abutting the pond. Divided equally down the middle between Orleans and Brewster, Bakers Pond has the distinction of being one of the least impaired ponds on Cape Cod. However, there are indications of declining health. Walk from Orleans Conservation land, by one edge of the Orleans side of the pond ----through wooded trails, along a seldom used bumpy road, by a protected white cedar swamp, and through a small residential neighborhood to reach the more remote Brewster side of the pond.
Despite the cloudy and somewhat chilly day, about 40 people--mostly Brewster Ponds Coalition members--explored Brewster's Upper Mill Pond on Saturday, October 29. Avid walker and BPC board member, Gwen Pelletier led the two-hour walk, on trails that meandered around the pond. The group stopped at Eagle Point and other places to take in the view and learn about cranberry cultivation and pond ecology from BPC board member Karen Malkus-Benjamin.. Walkers glimpsed former cranberry bogs as well as the quaking bog--a sphagnum moss covered bog that shakes when walked upon--through the trees. At the end of the walk, Malkus-Benjamin demonstrated how to observe a pond and collect data to assess its status. Stayed tuned for more information about the next BPC walk at Bakers Pond on Saturday, November 19 at 10:00 am.
Lower Cape TV is now broadcasting a public service announcement (PSA) recorded by BPC vice president, Konrad Schultz. A slide show of Brewster's ponds and BPC members in action plays in the background while the water quality issues facing many Brewster's ponds, the BPC's mission and activities, and how BPC Action Committee members can help is described. Look for it on Channel 99 on Brewster Cable or click here to view it. Thank you Lower Cape TV--especially Rafal Kowalczk--for producing the PSA! And if the video inspires you, click here to learn how you can join a BPC Action Team.
Proposed Regulation of Sewage Disposal Systems to Protect Surface Water and Pond Water Quality9/15/2016
Read proposed Brewster Board of Health pond nutrient regulations for properties near ponds. Link here.
The Board of the Brewster Ponds Coalition is providing comment. Link to full text here. Please attend and provide your input. ![]() Thank you to all of the riders who joined us for our first ever Bike to Ponds event on Saturday afternoon at Roldand C. Nickerson State Park. We first gathered at the Area Four parking lot and heard Naturalist Todd Kelley explain the history of the park. Next we rode to the bike path to Middle Road where we observed glacial erratic rocks. Brewster holds more glacial erratic rocks than any town on Cape Cod. Then we rode to Triangle and Keeler's Ponds and then on to Cliff Pond where Todd Kelley explained ground water flow and the park's important role in groundwater recharge for Brewster. Then we learned about "pond shore margin" and the fact that many of our pond shorelines display coastal plain pond characteristics and hold rare flora and fauna not found elsewhere. On our return leg, we recharged with light refreshments at Flax Pond. Many thanks to all of our volunteers and special thanks to Park Superintendent, Eric Levy and Todd Kelley for sharing their knowledge and making this great event possible. ![]() Thank you to all of those who registered online and telephoned for our first Bike to Ponds Event. The 30 bike limit has been reached. All others will be contacted if there is a cancellation. Thank you! ![]() Thank you to everyone who attended the Annual Meeting of the Brewster Ponds Coalition on Saturday. More than 70 people heard Dr. Laurel Schaider of the Silent Spring Institute speak on Contaminants of Emerging Concern in our waters. 2016 Accomplishments and 2017 goals were detailed. A slate of Board members was elected, including two new Board members, Judy Pirani and Susan Day Searles. The Board page of this website will soon be updated with their bios. Copies of the BPC 2016 Annual Report were distributed. Click on image to left to download. ![]() Discover the ponds of the Roland C. Nickerson State Park on a bike tour with members of the Brewster Ponds Coalition. Saturday August 20 starting at 2:30 PM. Rain date: Sunday, August 21. The ride is approximately 3.5 miles total over paved trails and roads and includes stops at Triangle, Keeler's, Cliff, Little Cliff, Higgins and Flax Ponds. Enjoy an optional 1 mile (round trip) easy hike along the beautiful north side of Little Cliff Pond to Higgins Pond. Event is for adults. Some hilly terrain may require walking bike, depending on fitness level. Learn interesting facts about the park and ponds from Naturalist Todd Kelley. Enjoy light refreshments on the return leg overlooking Flax Pond.
Advance registration required. Click here to register. 30 bike limit. Deadline August 18, 2016. Your reservation will be confirmed. For more information telephone 508-258-9801. |
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