Category: Events

First Day Walk: The Gut to the Herring River Overlook

Report by Bill Iacuessa.

Thirty-eight participants thoroughly enjoyed the First Day Walk 2024, The Gut to the Herring River Overlook. Bright skies greeted the walkers as they arrived at the National Seashore Great Island parking lot. Bill Iacuessa, Vice-President of the Wellfleet Conservation Trust (WCT), welcomed the participants and described the walk saying that the Trust and the Friends of the Herring River (FHR) were delighted at the turnout. Dale Rheault, Chair of the Friends of the Herring River, was introduced, and spoke briefly about the role of the FHR. Speakers Alice Iacuessa and John Portnoy were introduced. Alice and John, are former members of the FHR board and along with Barbara Brennessel, co-authors of Tidal Waters, A History of Wellfleet’s Herring River.

The walk began by heading down the hill to the beach near the mouth of the Herring River and the Gut. Bill gave a short orientation, and then Alice talked about the recent archeological research on Native American and English colonial use of Great Island. The walk proceeded down the beach a bit further toward the dike where John talked about the history of the dike and benefits of removing it which will restore the salt marsh incrementally over a number of years.

The walk proceeded up to Chequessett Neck Road and crossed over the dike. Although not open yet, the completed temporary bridge was in full view of the walkers. Continuing along the participants reached the parking lot of the Herring River Overlook Conservation Area where Denny O’Connell, President of WCT met them. Denny described the acquisition of the 18-acre parcel, the significance of its location, and the creation of the one-mile trail. The walk continued with short stops where Denny pointing out features, the most significant being the views of the Herring River from above.

The walkers retraced their steps. Just before the parking lot, at the gravesite of a Native American woman, Alice talked about how and why it was placed at this location. The two-mile, two-hour walk concluded at noon.

Photos, taken by Dwight Estey, board member and former president of the Wellfleet Historical Society and Museum, can be viewed at WCT-FHR – First Day Walk – 2024.

Coastsweep, 2023

WCT participated in the 2023 Coastsweep on Monday. Volunteers picked up tally sheets at Mayo Beach, then fanned out to a dozen other sites in the Wellfleet area.

Getting assignments for the cleanup

Over 40 came to collect artificial debris–mostly plastics, which soil our beaches, endanger wildlife, and pose immediate hazards to humans. The beach pickup addresses just some of the accessible portion of the much larger problem of polluted oceans.

Duck Creek overwash, just one of many sites for the cleanup

Coastsweep is part of the International Coastal Cleanup organized by Ocean Conservancy in Washington, DC. Volunteers from all over the world collect marine debris—trash, fishing line, metal scraps, and other human-made items. They make beaches cleaner and safer. Categorizing and tallying their harvest helps reveal sources of marine debris sources and potential solutions.

Not all of the debris we encountered could be picked up and carried in bags back to the start point.

Large debris, noted but left
Flag, left as necessary for monitoring the overflow at Duck Creek
Natural debris at the wrack line

15th annual walk, September 16, 2023

Our 15th annual walk will be held on September 16, 20203. This is a week later than usual.

The walk will cover the Fox Island Marsh and Pilgrim Springs Woodland Conservation Area. 

Much of the walk will be along the shore with views of the marsh, Fox Island, Blackfish Creek, Indian Neck, Field Point, and Old Wharf Point.

The walk, which is expected to take about two hours, starts at 9:00 am. Participants are asked to arrive by 8:45. There is limited parking, so we urge you to carpool. No pre-registration is required.

Directions to the start: Take Paine Hollow Rd off Route 6. After 0.3 miles, turn right onto Baker Road and follow it to the sand road. There will be people there to assist with parking.

Be sure to wear sturdy shoes, since the terrain is mostly dirt roads and pathways with some hills. It may be muddy in spots. Don’t forget sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, and water.

The rain date is September 17.

We’re looking forward to a lovely day and hope you’ll join us.

Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, 2023

Earth Day is an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries, coordinated globally by EarthDay.org . The official theme for this year is Invest In Our Planet.

Earth Day is a perfect match for land trusts. Many more land trusts focus on it each year.

With a similar mission from the beginning, Wellfleet Conservation Trust signs began appearing in Wellfleet neighborhoods starting in 2012.

Hike the Woods of the Seven Ponds Area in Wellfleet

Photo courtesy of Jim Gillen

Date: Friday, April 28th (10 a.m. – noon)

Cost: $20 per person. Reserve. Driving directions included in your confirmation receipt.

Sponsored by Harwich Conservation Trust and Wellfleet Conservation Trust, join Mark McGrath for a hike around the seven ponds area in Wellfleet while recalling fascinating stories and conversations between Thoreau and locals as discussed in his book, Cape Cod, featuring this region.

This unique corner of the Outer Cape was where Bauhaus architects including Gropius, Breuer, and others enjoyed idyllic beach lifestyles in their ‘modern’ and inexpensive summer houses.

This hike will begin and end at Newcomb Hollow Beach and will cover 2.5 miles across unpaved roads and several well-travelled social trails in the woods.

Saving the Cape: History of land conservation on Cape Cod

One of the many reasons to conserve land

Mark Robinson has put together an excellent presentation on the History of land conservation on Cape Cod. Follow the link to see his slides.

The presentation begins with Wampanoag people 10,000 years ago and takes us to the present and beyond. It includes the rationale for conservation, lots of interesting historical background, and beautiful photographs of Cape Cod conservation areas.

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is November 30 this year. This is a great opportunity to help Wellfleet Conservation Trust assist and promote the preservation of natural resources and rural character of the town of Wellfleet.

Your donation can help conserve land in its natural state in perpetuity for enjoyment by current and future generations.

Fourteenth Annual Walk

The WCT Fourteenth Annual Walk will take place on Saturday morning, September 17th. The walk is free and is 2.4 miles in length. The terrain will be mostly on dirt roads and paths in the woods. Topics will include Spectacle Pond, Kinnacum Pond, ice houses, the Gross sisters, Dr. Belding and perhaps Tupelo trees.

Parking is a concern so it is important to register in advance by sending an email no later than August 31st to: wct.annual.walk@gmail.com

Please include email address and the names of all participants who will be arriving in your car.

Final details, including start time and parking locations will be sent to you the first week in September. Rain date will be the next day, Sunday the 18th.

We hope you’ll join us – it’s been too long!