August 20, 2016: 32nd Annual Meeting

Mr. Peter Trull, Cape Cod Naturalist, author and educator, delivered the keynote address, based on his recent book entitled The Gray Curtain – The Impact of Seals, Sharks and Commercial Fishing along the Northeast Coast, at the Wellfleet Conservation Trust (WCT) Annual Meeting and Review at the Wellfleet Council on Aging.

Mr. Trull showed, through discussion and vivid photographs, the relationship between commercial fishing, expanding gray seal populations and great white sharks along the beaches and in the waters of Cape Cod. This “Gray Curtain” has come about after geologic and environmental changes, as well as animal migrations and population increases. Each has had an effect on the location and, though daily and seasonal changes are accepted as normal, there are great transformations taking place that may go unnoticed, some, unexplained.

“Mr. Trull’s presentation is of current interest, in light of the public’s adoration of seals, the recreational and commercial fishers’ frustrations with the seals and the growing public awareness of increases in great white shark sightings in Wellfleet and other parts of the Cape,” says WCT President Dennis O’Connell.

The WCT Annual Meeting began at 10:00 AM at the Wellfleet Council on Aging, 715 Old King’s Hwy in Wellfleet. Annual Meetings are open to the public; no reservation needed. Light refreshments are provided. Prior to Mr. Trull’s presentation, the Trust held its short annual business meeting and presented a historical overview of the group’s actions and achievements.

COMPACT’s 30th anniversary

The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this month. Under the leadership of Executive Director Mark Robinson, the COMPACT has provided invaluable service to conservation trusts throughout the Cape and beyond, to include extraordinary service in assisting the Wellfleet Conservation Trust fulfill its mission.

See The First 30 Years: 1986-2016 Major Accomplishments.

Evaluating the trails

See this post on Chip Bruce’s blog from May 30, 2016, about children enjoying the conservation land.

Evaluating the trails

Phoebe, Sam, Nia

We had a wonderful group of visitors from the Dorchester area over Memorial Day weekend: Priscilla (6), Nia (8), Phoebe (10), Sam (12), and Jane (73).

I knew that we were in for some special experiences when Phoebe ran in asking “Can we go to the Library?” That had been the highlight of a previous trip. Then Sam added, “Can we go to the beach, too?” The latter seemed like a reasonable request to add for a sunny holiday weekend.

At the Library

We managed to visit bay, ocean, and pond beaches. And the Library, of course. But we also set out to evaluate some local trails. You can see the evaluation sheet below. I fear that some of the drawings don’t reproduce well. But we got some good feedback on trails.

Priscilla, discussing books with Anna

On the Wellfleet Conservation Trust’s new Drummer Cove trail, Sam identified the #1 hit, fiddler crabs, especially one in particular, who is named Bob. He also called for more trail markers, which was understandable, as the trail was just cleared last week and hasn’t been marked yet.

Phoebe’s favorite thing “was the breeze and the shells on the way.” Her refrain throughout was for more shells. She and the others identified oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, slipper shells, winkles and more. For improvement, she recommended less pollen, which seemed to color everything yellow and cause some sneezing.

Sharing books and a swing

We also walked across Uncle Tim’s Bridge, through Hamblen Park, down to the “yes” benches. Priscilla, who perhaps wishes she were older, claimed her age as 6000, but I think it’s closer to 6. Her favorite thing was “fiddler crabsssssssssss” (there were many). For what to improve, she said “??????nuthing?”

Nia’s favorite was the baby diamond-back terrapin, which the group wanted to keep, but we let go on his/her way. For improvement, she wanted “to write more in Steve [Durkee]’s notebooks by the ‘yes’ benches.”

We also saw an osprey at the pier, and somehow managed to locate ice cream.

Diamond back terrapin

Along Duck Creek

Hamblen Park

Fiddler Bob

Ant eating inchworm

With just a little help

Braving the surf

Surfers at Newcomb’s

Mac’s at the pier

Percy

Trail evaluation

Drummer Cove site work and trail making

From the Spring 2016 WCT Newsletter:

On December 31, 2015 the WCT reached a long sought after goal – completing the acquisition of the Drummer Cove “Link Lot” in South Wellfleet. Your contributions were essential to making this possible. Thanks to you this beautiful spot is now protected and open for all to enjoy.

Individual donations were the largest source of our funding, but the WCT also received grants from the Massachusetts Conservation Partnership Program, the Bafflin Foundation, the Fields Ponds Foundation and the Cape Cod 5 Saving Bank Foundation. Thanks to these organizations and your generous support, we were able to assemble all of the funding needed to close on the property by year end.

The lot is located on the northwest shore line of Drummer Cove and provides a vital “link” between several conservation properties. Since it preserves critical coast line habitat, this land is of the highest conservation priority. Additionally, there are valuable public and historic benefits to preserving this parcel. Once part of a historic and picturesque walking trail that led from Pleasant Point to the Pond Hill School, public access to this land had been restricted since 2001 by an infamous spite fence. With our acquisition of this property the fence has been razed, and the Drummer Cove trail is now restored for public enjoyment.

We never would have been able to accomplish this without your support. Thank you!

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Tales & Trails, Heathland Habitat, Bound Brook Island

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Tales & Trails, Vernal Pools, Walker Trail

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Tales & Trails: Nature walks for young explorers

The Wellfleet Conservation Trust sponsors Tales & Trails: Nature Walks for Young Explorers, a new program of after-school walks through some of Wellfleet’s conservation areas. The walks are led by Heidi Clemmer, author of a new series of nature books for children. The program will expose kids and families to the beauty of Wellfleet’s conservation lands while teaching them about the habitats and wildlife of the outer Cape. Each of the walks will focus on a different eco-system and will be paired with one of the books in her series.

The first three walks this spring have been very popular and highly successful. The program schedule includes cedar swamps in September, tidal flats in October and dunes in November.

Press release:

In cooperation with children’s author Heidi Clemmer, WELLFLEET CONSERVATION TRUST launches new program: Tales & Trails: Nature Walks for Young Explorers

(Wellfleet, MA… March 2^nd, 2016) – Wellfleet Conservation Trust (WCT) announces Tales & Trails: Nature Walks for Young Explorers, a new program of after-school walks through some of Wellfleet’s conservation areas. The walks will be led by Heidi Clemmer, author of a new series of nature books for children. The program will expose kids and families to the beauty of Wellfleet’s conservation lands while teaching them about the habitats and wildlife of the outer Cape. Each of the walks will focus on a different eco-system and will be paired with one of the books in her series.

WCT will offer six walks throughout the year. The program represents an expansion of a pilot walk offered last October, when a group of nine elementary school children listened to Clemmer’s Salt Marsh Secrets and then explored the salt marsh eco-system around Hamblen Island Park and Uncle Tim’s Bridge. “The first walk was so well received by kids and parents alike that we decided to offer more,” commented WCT President Dennis O’Connell, “and we are delighted to work with Heidi Clemmer.” The first walk about vernal pools is scheduled for Wednesday, April 6^th. Following that, the program schedule calls for heath lands in May, barrier beaches in June, cedar swamps in September, tidal flats in October and dunes in November.

After 21 years as an elementary school teacher, Heidi Clemmer retired and decided to devote her leisure time and energies to her true passion: teaching children about nature. With illustrator and collaborator Marisa Picariello, she has launched an ambitious nine-title nature book series called Cape Cod Eco-Tales. Tales & Trails: Nature Walks for Young Explorers is a program that combines the educational content of Clemmer’s books with a live ‘hands-on’ experience in Wellfleet’s conservation areas. On the walks, children get to listen, explore and create: they hear a nature story told by the author herself, explore the corresponding ecosystem, and then create their own souvenir of the experience in art, writing, or photography. “In addition to being a thoroughly enjoyable family activity, we hope it will foster an early appreciation of our surrounding natural resources in our kids,” added O’Connell, “something they can keep throughout their lifetimes.”

The walks are planned for Wednesday afternoons and are geared towards children 6-9 accompanied by an adult, although all are welcome. There is no cost to participate. Advance registration is required. The walks begin at 2:30PM at locations designated on the WCT website. Tales & Trails is funded by WCT and supported in part by a grant from the Wellfleet Cultural Council, a local agency which receives funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. To register or inquire about the walks, email Heidi Clemmer at ecotales@aol.com.

Drummer Cove Link Lot offered

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On December 31, 2015, The Wellfleet Conservation Trust acquired the “Drummer Cove Link Lot” in South Wellfleet from the Drummer Cove Nominee Trust (DCNT), a group of conservation-minded individuals.

The DCNT approached WCT offering to acquire the property for conservation and recreation purposes until such time as WCT could take ownership. The agreement gave WCT time to fundraise and to make application for a Conservation Partnership Grant with the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

drummer The Drummer Cove Link Lot, located on the northwest shore line of the Drummer Cove, was considered to be of highest conservation priority. The three quarter acre Link Lot parcel preserves critical coast line habitat and offers valuable public and historic benefits as well. Once part of the historic and picturesque walking trail that led from Pleasant Point to the Pond Hill School in South Wellfleet, the Drummer Cove trail is now restored for public enjoyment.

Read a poetic perspective by Dwight Estey on this extraordinary property.