PAST EVENTS
Strong Island Botanical Walk
Wednesday, August 10th at 10am
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Local botanist Bob Zaremba discussed the native flora along the stunning woodland trail. CCF Trustee Carol Odell also provided information on the Foundation’s efforts to preserve and protect the Pleasant Bay ecosystem.
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Strong Island Photography Walk
Saturday, July 23rd at 10am
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Professional photographer Heather MacKenzie guided participants on how best to capture images within the unique island environment. CCF Trustee Beth Taylor also provided information on the Foundation’s efforts to preserve and protect the Pleasant Bay ecosystem.
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Strong Island Nature Walk
Wednesday, July 13th at 10am
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CCF Land Stewardship Director Julie Baca and Trustee Tim Burt led a walk focusing on the environment and history of the “gem” of Pleasant Bay.
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Chase Park Walk, Co-sponsored by the Friends of Trees
Saturday, June 18th at 10am
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CCF Trustees Oonie Burley and Linda Nixon led a walk focusing on over two dozen noteworthy trees all contained within Chase Park in Chatham. The guides introduced participants to both older trees that have been in the park for decades as well as more recently planted specimens. The easily accessible walk was contained within the park, offering an opportunity for individuals who may not want to take part in a longer trail walk over more variable terrain.
The walk was co-sponsored by the Friends of Trees whose mission is to promote awareness of the environmental, economic and aesthetic benefits that trees provide our community.
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The Bob Clem Trail at Frost Fish Creek with Beth Taylor and Linda Nixon
Friday, May 13 at 10am
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CCF Trustees Beth Taylor and Linda Nixon led a walk through the breathtaking trails of Frost Fish Creek, highlighting the unique geological features and rich history of these wetlands. CCF acquired all of the almost 50 acres that now protect Frost Fish Creek over a span of 33 years. The 1.1 mile walking trail meanders along the edge of the Frost Fish Creek, offering walkers glimpses of an old cranberry operation which has reverted into open wetlands. With its unique configuration featuring brackish freshwater tidal wetland over viewed from upland pine/oak woodlands, this area offers the most varied and numerous opportunities to experience seasonal bird and mammal life in our area.
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Native Plants Group with Cathy Weston
Wednesday, January 26th, 2022; 5:30pm
Wednesday, February 9th, 2022; 5:30pm
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022; 5:30pm
Using Native Plants in Your Home Landscape
Cathy Weston, designer of our own Mini-Meadow and self-described "native plant geek," conducted a series of sessions to help homeowners plan their own native-plant gardens.
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In the first Zoom session, Cathy discussed which native plants and what styles of garden design work best in the home landscape, and provided templates, plant lists, and practical advice to support your own garden design. These sessions were collaborative; participants shared concepts and on-paper designs that they were considering and group discussion provided feedback on each design.
First Day Hike Cape Cod - Sylvan Gardens with Dorothy Bassett
Saturday, January 1st, 2022; 1pm & 2:30pm
Sylvan Gardens
Chatham Conservation Foundation (CCF) Executive Director Dorothy Bassett led guided walks at Sylvan Gardens for First Day Hike Cape Cod.
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The Chatham Conservation Foundation and eight conservation groups collaborated to launch #FirstDayHikesCapeCod on January 1, 2022. Building on the popularity of the national state park program originally launched in Massachusetts, this first-of-its-kind regional celebration featured eleven (11) free special walks, talks, and hikes in eight (8) communities across Cape Cod providing a range of opportunities for families, children, residents, and visitors to get outside and explore on the first day of the new year.
Mushroom ID Walk with Wesley Price
Saturday, October 23rd, 2021; 9am-12pm
CCF teamed up with the Cape Cod Mycological Society founder Wesley Price for a guided walk along the CCF trails. As participants foraged, Wesley identified mushrooms and answered questions.
Strong Island Nature Walk with Mark Faherty
Friday, October 8th, 2021; 9am-12pm
Strong Island
Mark Faherty, host of WCAI's Bird Report and Science Coordinator at the Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary, led a scenic walk along the trails of Strong Island, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm on a variety of nature topics.
Acquired in 1973 from the Horst family, Strong Island, with 75 acres of upland owned by CCF and 59 acres of town-owned marsh, sits as the "gem" of Pleasant Bay. Located as it is in Pleasant Bay, the property has the limitations of isolation from the Cape as a whole, but also the likelihood of unique migrational visitations. Birds and mammals are representative of the general area.
Frost Fish Creek Walk with Julie Baca and Connor O'Brien
Thursday, October 7th, 2021; 9-10:30am and Friday, October 15th, 2021; 9-10:30am
Land Stewards Julie Baca of Chatham Conservation Foundation (CCF) and Connor O’Brien of Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) teamed up to offer walks on properties in Harwich and Chatham. Participants learned about Cape Cod’s unique plant communities, freshwater waterways, and habitat restoration potential at CCF’s Frost Fish Creek in Chatham.
Over the past few years, Julie has been enthusiastically working to expand her knowledge of Cape Cod flora. She discussed plant identification basics, pointing out both native and invasive plant species. Connor taught walk participants about the function of wetlands, freshwater waterways, and estuaries on Cape Cod and the important fish species that rely on those habitats. Eagerly awaiting the herring running every year, and having worked in environmental education, this is a subject that Connor loves to talk about.
Robert F Smith Cold Brook Preserve with Julie Baca and Connor O'Brien
Tuesday, October 5th, 2021; 9-10:30am and Wednesday, October 13th, 2021; 9-10:30am
Land Stewards Julie Baca of Chatham Conservation Foundation (CCF) and Connor O’Brien of Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) teamed up to offer walks on properties in Harwich and Chatham. Participants learned about Cape Cod’s unique plant communities, freshwater waterways, and habitat restoration potential at HCT’s Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve in Harwich Port.
Over the past few years, Julie has been enthusiastically working to expand her knowledge of Cape Cod flora. She discussed plant identification basics, pointing out both native and invasive plant species. Connor taught walk participants about the function of wetlands, freshwater waterways, and estuaries on Cape Cod and the important fish species that rely on those habitats. Eagerly awaiting the herring running every year, and having worked in environmental education, this is a subject that Connor loves to talk about.
Mushroom ID Walk with Wesley Price
Sunday, September 19th, 2021; 10am
Barclay Pond
CCF teamed up with the Cape Cod Mycological Society founder Wesley Price for a guided walk along the Barclay Pond trails. As participants foraged, Wesley identified mushrooms and answered questions.
Strong Island Nature Walk with Bob Zaremba
Sunday, September 12, 2021; 9am-12pm
Strong Island
Local botanist Bob Zaremba led a scenic walk along the trails of Strong Island, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm on a variety of nature topics.
Acquired in 1973 from the Horst family, Strong Island, with 75 acres of upland owned by CCF and 59 acres of town-owned marsh, sits as the "gem" of Pleasant Bay. Located as it is in Pleasant Bay, the property has the limitations of isolation from the Cape as a whole, but also the likelihood of unique migrational visitations. Birds and mammals are representative of the general area.
Mushroom ID Walk with Wesley Price
Saturday, August 28th, 2021
Barclay Pond
CCF teamed up with the Cape Cod Mycological Society founder Wesley Price for a guided walk along the Barclay Pond trails. As participants foraged, Wesley identified mushrooms and answered questions.
Strong Island Nature Walk with Peter Trull
Saturday, August 28th, 2021
Strong Island
Peter Trull and CCF Executive Director Dorothy Bassett led a scenic walk along the trails of Strong Island. Local naturalist and author Peter Trull shared his knowledge and enthusiasm on a variety of topics, from birds and habitats to dragonflies and salt marshes.
Acquired in 1973 from the Horst family, Strong Island, with 75 acres of upland owned by CCF and 59 acres of town-owned marsh, sits as the "gem" of Pleasant Bay. Located as it is in Pleasant Bay, the property has the limitations of isolation from the Cape as a whole, but also the likelihood of unique migrational visitations. Birds and mammals are representative of the general area.
Mondays on Main - Mayo House Guided Tours
Mondays, July 5th through August 30th, 2021; 6-9pm
Mayo House
While you're enjoying downtown Chatham on Monday nights during the summer, please stop by the Mayo House for a guided tour.
Click here for more information on Chatham's Mondays on Main series.
The Chatham Conservation Foundation participated in this year's Art in the Park series. Thanks for stopping by to enjoy the wonderfully whale-inspired works of art!
Mini Meadow Walk with Cathy Weston
Saturday, August 14th, 2021; 10am
Mayo House
Ecological gardener and CCF Trustee Cathy Weston led a detailed look at the Mini Meadow on Main. This beautiful garden was planted with all Cape Cod native plants, and was designed by Cathy and Honorary Trustee Oonie Burley.
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The meadow has changed over time as the plants have settled in: some have died back, and others have thrived. If you're interested in creating a meadow at home or learning about native vegetation, come see the Mini Meadow!
Forest Beach Overlook Walk with Kate Witte
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021; 9-10am
Forest Beach
AmeriCorps graduate and Chatham Shellfish Department employee Kate Witte led a family-friendly walk through the beautiful Forest Beach Overlook trail.
This short walk is part of a much larger parcel owned by the town, and was purchased through Town Land Bank Funds. This site was also once the location of radio transmission towers that sent ship-to-shore messages all over the world. It was part of RCA's Marine Communications Station WCC in North Chatham, as detailed by info panels onsite.
The town of Chatham purchased the property, along with the North Chatham WCC property, in 1999 from the MIC Corporation. This 30 acre parcel was designated Town conservation land.
The Chatham Conservation Foundation held its 2021 annual meeting in person at the Wequassett Inn. Guest speaker Dr. Douglas Tallamy, Professor of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, treated the audience to an engaging presentation on the importance of oak trees in our ecosystem.
Strong Island Nature Walk with Peter Trull
Wednesday, July 28th, 2021; 9am-12:30pm
Strong Island
Peter Trull and CCF Executive Director Dorothy Bassett led a scenic walk along the trails of Strong Island. Local naturalist and author Peter Trull shared his knowledge and enthusiasm on a variety of topics, from birds and habitats to dragonflies and salt marshes.
Acquired in 1973 from the Horst family, Strong Island, with 75 acres of upland owned by CCF and 59 acres of town-owned marsh, sits as the "gem" of Pleasant Bay. Located as it is in Pleasant Bay, the property has the limitations of isolation from the Cape as a whole, but also the likelihood of unique migrational visitations. Birds and mammals are representative of the general area.
Frost Fish Creek Walk with Bob Zaremba
Monday, July 19th, 2021; 9am-11am
Frost Fish Creek
Local botanist Bob Zaremba led a walk through the breathtaking trails of Frost Fish Creek, which have recently been enhanced with Plant ID tags thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor.
Bob Zaremba has a PhD in botany, 18 years of working experience at the Nature Conservancy, and 39 years of botany experience. He guided visitors through the walking trail, which meanders along the edge of Frost Fish Creek and then follows the wooded ridge overlooking the marsh.
CCF acquired all of the almost 50 acres that now protect Frost Fish Creek over a span of 33 years. With its unique configuration featuring brackish-freshwater tidal wetland over viewed from upland Pine/Oak woodlands, this area offers the most varied and numerous opportunities to experience seasonal bird and mammal life in our area.
Strong Island Photography Walk with Isaiah Lee
Friday, July 23rd, 2021; 9am-12:30pm
Strong Island
Professional photographer Isaiah Lee and CCF Executive Director Dorothy Bassett led a walk through beautiful and remote Strong Island.
Dorothy covered how the Island and Pleasant Bay ecosystem are being preserved, and Isaiah gave a photography lesson on how to best capture images of this stunning area. Isaiah detailed nature photography and how to move through nature in a way that does not disturb plants or wildlife. Isaiah also detailed composition for close-ups like flowers or distant images like landscapes.
The island-long 1.7 mile trail system winds through pine and oak woodlands filled with native shrubs and wildlife. As you walk, impressive views of are all around you of the Atlantic Ocean, a barrier beach, salt ponds, marshland, and Pleasant Bay.
Mini Meadow Walk with Cathy Weston
Saturday, July 17th, 2021; 10am
Mayo House
Ecological gardener and CCF Trustee Cathy Weston led a detailed look at the Mini Meadow on Main. This beautiful garden was planted with all Cape Cod native plants, and was designed by Cathy and Honorary Trustee Oonie Burley.
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The meadow has changed over time as the plants have settled in: some have died back, and others have thrived. If you're interested in creating a meadow at home or learning about native vegetation, come see the Mini Meadow!
Chatham History Weekend - Mayo House Guided Tours
June 12-13th, 2021; 10am-4pm
Mayo House
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The historic Mayo House was proud to participate in the Chatham History Weekend, and was open for tours and information on conservation land and trails in Chatham. Click here for more information on Chatham History Weekend.
Mushroom ID Video Walk With Wesley Price
October 7th, 2020; 1pm
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In order to offer the full mushroom ID walk sensory and educational experience, CCF teamed up with the Cape Cod Mycological Society founder Wesley Price, for a filmed guided walk through Frost Fish Creek. CCF Executive Director Dorothy Bassett and Land Steward Julie Baca walked with Wesley as he identified mushrooms along the trail, and marked each with an orange flag. Visitors watched the video live and then were free to explore the trail independently, stopping at each marker to visually inspect the various species.
Please note that mushrooms from the video disintegrate quickly, but the mycelium (similar to roots) remain in the ground and wood from where the various mushrooms and fungi can continue to grow.
Virtual Walk With CCF and The Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
September 21st, 2020; 9am-11am
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A live broadcast from conservation land where Chatham Conservation Foundation's property meets the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. We discussed the history, access, ecology, beauty, and uses of the area.
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Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge Bench
Photo by Carolyn Hanrahan & Shannon Doherty
2020 Annual Meeting
August 17th, 2020
Remote Meeting via Zoom
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Andrew Gottlieb, Executive Director of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod was the featured speaker at the 2020 Annual Meeting.
Native Pollinator and Woodland Garden Tour With CCF Trustee Cathy Weston
July 10th, 2020; 9am-11am
If you missed the live virtual tour on July 10th, we’ve got you covered!
Board Member Cathy Weston gave a live Zoom virtual garden tour of her native pollinator and woodland plants.
2019 Annual Meeting
WEQUASSETT INN
August 5, 2019
Wildlife Specialist Peter Trull was the featured speaker at the 2019 Annual Meeting.
Thanks to the Wequassett Resort for providing the Grand Pavilion for our event.
Monomoy River/Muddy Creek Kayak
September 24, 2019
Hosted by Bill Kyle and Dorothy Bassett, Photos by Tina Delaney.
Strong Island Walk
September 9, 2019
Hosted by Bob Zaremba, Photos by Tina Delaney.
Sylvan Gardens Walk
August 28, 2019
Hosted by Carol Odell and Oonie Burley, Photos by Tina Delaney.
