540 Main Street • Chatham, MA 02633 • 508-945-4084
UPCOMING EVENTS
Chatham History Weekend
Saturday and Sunday, June 17th - 18th, 9am - 1pm
The historic Mayo House is proud to participate in Chatham History Weekend and is open for tours and information on conservation land and trails in Chatham.
Mayo House Mini Meadow Talk
Saturday, June 17th, 11am
Ecological gardener and CCF Trustee Cathy Weston will lead 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 CCF Honorary Trustee Oonie Burley.
The meadow changes over time as the plants settle in and respond to the changes each year brings: droughts, cold winters, etc. Some have died back, and others have thrived. If you are interested in creating a meadow at home or learning about native vegetation, come see the Mini Meadow!
No registration necessary! Come by at 11am as you stroll through town during Chatham History Weekend!
SAVE THE DATE!!
CCF Annual Meeting
Monday, August 21st, 4:00pm
Wequassett Resort
Join CCF's Book Club!
Monday, July 17th @ 4pm
Join the CCF Book Club in a discussion of The Founding Gardeners by Andrea Wulf.
CCF Book Club meetings generally occur on the first Monday of every month at 4pm, and are held in person at Mayo House.
2023 Summer Trail Walks
Our 2023 season of guided walks has been expanded to include new topics and family-friendly adventures. Walks are led by CCF staff and trustees, and many feature well-known Cape naturalists.
New walks will be added throughout the season!
June Guided Walks
Strong Island Marine Ecology Walk:
Eelgrass and the Pleasant Bay Ecosystem
Guide: Jamie Nye
Monday, June 12th, 3pm - 5pm
Cost: $20
Photo credit: Jon Watkins
Join Jamie Nye, Pleasant Bay Community Boating's (PBCB) science coordinator, for a walk along Strong Island to observe eelgrass beds, an important native seagrass. He will talk about eelgrass identification as well as threats to and benefits of eelgrass in Pleasant Bay and Cape Cod, and introduce us to PBCB's eelgrass restoration program. CCF staff will also be on hand to provide information on the Foundation’s efforts to preserve and protect the Pleasant Bay ecosystem.
Acquired in 1973 from the Horst Family, Strong Island consists of 75 acres of upland owned by CCF and 59 acres of town-owned marsh. Located in Pleasant Bay, the property has both the limitations of isolation from the Cape as a whole and also the likelihood of unique migrational visitations. The island-long trail system winds through pine and oak woodlands filled with native shrubs and wildlife representative of the general area.
Transportation to and from the island will be provided on private boats.
Your Guide:
Prior to his position at PBCB, Jamie Nye worked at the Catalina Island Marine Institute teaching marine biology, and at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and the Marine Biological Laboratory working in both aquaculture and animal husbandry. Jamie loves to teach, free-dive and scuba dive, hike, go clamming, and grow kelp!
Wild Edibles Walk at the Twine Field
Guide: Russ Cohen
Friday, June 23rd at 4:00pm
Cost: $20
Photo credit: Russ Cohen
The Twine Field and adjacent lands are home to over 40 species of edible wild plants, many of which are more nutritious and/or flavorful than their cultivated counterparts. These include native species, like Black Cherry and Sweet Fern; non-native weeds, like Curled Dock and Chicory; and invasive species, like Autumn Olive and Japanese Knotweed. Join Russ Cohen, author of the book Wild Plants I Have Known…and Eaten, on a two-hour ramble in and around the Twine Field and a nearby segment of the Old Colony Bike path to encounter and learn about at least 18 species of edible wild plants. Keys to the identification of each species will be provided, along with info on edible portion(s), season(s) of availability and preparation methods, as well as guidelines for safe, ethical and environmentally-responsible foraging.
The Twine Field is a 9-acre meadowland, which was one of the last twine fields used by Cape Cod fishermen.
Your Guide:
Until his retirement in 2015, Russ Cohen’s “day job” was serving as the Rivers Advocate for the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration, where one of his areas of expertise was in riparian vegetation. Now Russ has more time to pursue his passionate avocation, which is connecting to nature via his taste buds, and assisting others in doing the same. In addition to leading over three dozen foraging walks and talks each year at a wide variety of venues throughout the Northeast, Russ has now taken on the role of Johnny Appleseed for edible native species. He has set up a small nursery (in Weston, MA) where he grows/keeps plants that he propagates from seed (some of which he collected himself). He is then collaborating with land trusts, cities and towns, schools and colleges, state and federal agencies, tribal groups, organic farms and others to plant plants from his nursery in appropriate places on their properties.
Strong Island Botany Walk
Guide: Robert Zaremba
Wednesday, June 28th at 10am
Cost: $20
Photo credit: Jon Watkins
Join local botanist Bob Zaremba for a 1.7 mile walk through beautiful and remote Strong Island, the “gem” of Pleasant Bay. He will discuss the native flora along the stunning woodland trail. CCF staff will also be on hand to provide information on the Foundation’s efforts to preserve and protect the Pleasant Bay ecosystem.
Acquired in 1973 from the Horst Family, Strong Island consists of 75 acres of upland owned by CCF and 59 acres of town-owned marsh. Located in Pleasant Bay, the property has both the limitations of isolation from the Cape as a whole and also the likelihood of unique migrational visitations. The island-long trail system winds through pine and oak woodlands filled with native shrubs and wildlife representative of the general area.
Transportation to and from the island will be provided on private boats.
Your Guide:
Bob Zaremba has a PhD in botany. His 40 years of botany experience include 18 years working with the Nature Conservancy and continued consultancies. Bob's family ties to Chatham date back to the 1960s.
July Guided Walks
New Members Walk: Introduction to Frost Fish Creek Trail
Guide: Lauren Arcomano
Saturday, July 8th at 10:00am
Cost: Free
Photo credit: Julie Baca, Sheep laurel
Join CCF Executive Director Lauren Arcomano for an introduction to the breathtaking trails of Frost Fish Creek. The 1.1 mile walk will highlight the unique geological features and rich history of these wetlands, as well as introduce members to the work currently being undertaken by CCF staff and volunteers to maintain this popular trail.
CCF acquired all of the almost 50 acres that now protect Frost Fish Creek over a span of 33 years. The 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.
Your Guide:
Lauren Arcomano is the Executive Director of the Chatham Conservation Foundation and an avid outdoors person who loves to hike and kayak. When not at CCF's historic headquarters in the Mayo House, she can be found paddling in the Nauset Marsh or exploring other conservation lands on the Cape.
Tree Identification Walk at Barclay's Pond Trail
Guide: Tom Walker
Sunday, July 9th at 10:00am
Cost: $20
Photo credit: Tom Walker, pin cherry
Come to the forest to examine teeth, veins and sinuses! No, not body parts, but leaf characteristics that help us identify trees during the growing season. Join naturalist Tom Walker as we learn to identify 16 native tree species in our local woods. We'll look at some shrubs along the way as well.
Made up almost totally of woodland featuring pitch pine and oak, the property is habitat to mammal and bird life typical of such areas. The three ponds - Barclay's Pond, Mary's Pond, and Schoolhouse Pond are visited by waterfowl in season and along with the Training Field Triangle, over 115 acres of conservation have been preserved in this neighborhood.
Your Guide:
Tom Walker is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a Bachelor's degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. He spent several seasons surveying wildlife on the west coast for the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management prior to returning to New England. He has many natural history interests and has led walks and given presentations on lichens, fungi, trees and dragonflies for many different organizations.
Coastal Plain Ponds Walk at Barclay's Pond Trail
Guide: Bob Zaremba
Wednesday, July 19th at 10:00am
Cost: $20
Photo credit: Julie Baca
Coastal plain ponds are an expression of our groundwater. Water level rises and falls with long term rainfall. They support an unusual fauna and flora that is sensitive to pollution, physical disturbance, and excessive groundwater pumping. We will be visiting two coastal plain ponds, likely at a high water stage. These ponds were at the heart of the first village center in Chatham and likely served our earliest European settlers.
Made up almost totally of woodland featuring pitch pine and oak, the property is habitat to mammal and bird life typical of such areas. The three ponds - Barclay's Pond, Mary's Pond, and Schoolhouse Pond are visited by waterfowl in season and along with the Training Field Triangle, over 115 acres of conservation have been preserved in this neighborhood.
Your Guide:
Bob Zaremba has a PhD in botany. His 40 years of botany experience include 18 years working with the Nature Conservancy and continued consultancies. Bob's family ties to Chatham date back to the 1960s.
August Guided Walks
Strong Island Full Moon Photography Walk
Guide: Barry Desilets
Tuesday, August 1st at 6pm
Cost: $20
Photo credit: Barry Desilets
Join professional photographer Barry Desilets for an evening walk through beautiful and remote Strong Island, the “gem” of Pleasant Bay. Barry will guide participants on how best to capture images within this unique island environment, particularly by the light of a full moon. CCF Trustee Tim Burt will also be on hand to provide information on the Foundation’s efforts to preserve and protect the Pleasant Bay ecosystem.
Acquired in 1973 from the Horst Family, Strong Island consists of 75 acres of upland owned by CCF and 59 acres of town-owned marsh.
Located in Pleasant Bay, the property has both the limitations of isolation from the Cape as a whole and also the likelihood of unique migrational visitations. The island-long trail system winds thought pine and oak woodlands filled with native shrubs and wildlife representative of the general area.
This is a BYO camera event and discussion will apply to all cameras: phone, digital or film. All skill levels are welcome.
Transportation to and from the island will be provided on private boats.
Your Guide:
Local photographer Barry Desilets owns and operates the photo studio "The Colors of Chatham."
Strong Island Shellfish Walk
Guide: Renee Gagne
Thursday, August 17th at 9am
Cost: $20
Photo credit: Jon Watkins
Let's find some shellfish! Join Chatham Shellfish Constable Renee Gagne for a walk at low tide on the shoreline of beautiful and remote Strong Island, the “gem” of Pleasant Bay. CCF Trustee Tim Burt will also be on hand to provide information on the Foundation’s efforts to preserve and protect the Pleasant Bay ecosystem.m.
Acquired in 1973 from the Horst Family, Strong Island consists of 75 acres of upland owned by CCF and 59 acres of town-owned marsh.
Located in Pleasant Bay, the property has both the limitations of isolation from the Cape as a whole and also the likelihood of unique migrational visitations. The island-long trail system winds thought pine and oak woodlands filled with native shrubs and wildlife representative of the general area.
Transportation to and from the island will be provided on private boats.
Your Guide:
Renee Gagne has been Chatham’s Shellfish Constable for the past 12 years overseeing the enforcement of State and local shellfish regulations and Chatham’s propagation program. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 1983, Renee moved to Chatham “just for the summer” but never left. For the next 25 years, she worked off-shore as a crew on fishing boats and the near shore as a commercial shellfisherman. Renee returned to school in the mid 1990’s for a Master’s of Marine Affairs at the University of Rhode Island and focused on fisheries law and policy. She subsequently worked as a consultant on a number of fisheries related socio-economic studies while continuing to shellfish commercially until 2011 when she was appointed the Town’s Shellfish Constable.
September Guided Walks
Information on September walks and talks coming soon! We will wrap up our Strong Island season with two walks for birdwatchers and a family walk marking the Autumnal Equinox.
Mayo House tours will resume starting on June 17th, for Chatham Historic Weekend, and then on Monday evenings as part of Mondays on Main through the summer.
Private guided tours are available on request. Email the Chatham Conservation Foundation for scheduling.
Self-Guided Trail Walks
The Chatham Conservation Foundation's walking trails are open year around! We invite you to explore our beautiful trails at your own leisure.
Please be sure to follow social distancing, and keep pets on leashes. Click here for maps of some great walking trails around Chatham.