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Welcome to our Annual Earth Day Issue!

Thanks to all the organizations who shared their events

Earth. Gaia. Terra—our Home. Since April 22, 1970, millions of people around the world have taken this day, and the month of April, to provide a special focus on our obligation to our fragile planet.

Over the years, humanity has worked on acknowledging the harm inflicted upon it and striving to amend our ways. Initiatives like the Clean Water Act and the Montreal Protocol stand as testaments to our capacity to make positive change, even as we persist in harmful practices, particularly those contributing to the devastating effects of environmental degradation and climate change.

The unfortunate truth is that our reliance on fossil fuels, unsustainable industrial and agricultural techniques and rampant deforestation have accelerated climate change. Since the first Earth day in 1970, global CO2 emissions have increased by about 90%. In the Cape Cod Region, we feel these impacts, with sea level rise, increasing storm severity and ocean acidification. 

At the Climate Collaborative, we feel the urgency to stop adding to the problem and to protect our vulnerable communities. We dedicate this special newsletter edition to all those working on climate change solutions, earnestly embracing our responsibility to preserving our planet as a precious gift, ensuring its resilience for generations yet to come.

We look forward to seeing you in July for NetZero 2024, where we will focus on climate solutions and what each and every one of us can do.

All events are free and open to the public

Celebrate Earth Day with the Chatham Conservation Foundation

The Chatham Conservation Foundation (CCF) has partnered with organizations and businesses in Chatham to offer activities and events celebrating the Earth during the week between Earth Day and Arbor Day. All events are free of charge but require registration.

Sunday, April 21 | 11:00 a.m. 

Tree & Daffodil Walk

Sylvan Gardens, 88 Old Main St. Chatham

Join members of the Friends of Sylvan Gardens for a guided stroll along the paths of Sylvan Gardens. Participants will observe both native trees and shrubs and the ornamentals that Ralph Sylvan planted, along with thousands of daffodils in bloom.

EARTH DAY Monday, April 22 | 2:00 p.m.

Edible Native Plants

Webinar

Speaker Russ Cohen, an edible native plant specialist, will lead a webinar discussing dozens of foraging walks every year throughout the Northeast.

Monday, April 22 | 4:00 p.m.

Time and Tide Wait for No One: Chatham's Journey Towards Coastal Resilience

Chatham Bars Inn, 297 Shore Rd., Chatham 

Please join the Chatham Conservation Foundation and the Chatham Bars Inn at a special keynote event marking Earth Day: “Time and Tide Wait for No One: Chatham's Journey Towards Coastal Resilience,” which will highlight the ongoing impacts of climate change on Chatham. The panel presentation will feature Greg Berman, Director of Natural Resources, Town of Chatham and Janet Williams, Chair, Chatham Conservation Commission, and be moderated by Tim Wood, Editor, Cape Cod Chronicle.

Tuesday, April 23 | 10:00 a.m.

Chase Park Tree Walk

Chase Park, 101 Cross St., Chatham 

The members of Friends of Trees look forward to sharing their knowledge which will focus on over two dozen noteworthy trees; both older trees that have been in the park for decades, as well as more recently planted specimens.

Wednesday, April 24 | 1:00 p.m.

How We Got Here: The History of Conservation in Chatham

Chatham Center for Active Living , 193 Stony Hill Rd., Chatham 

Learn from Lauren Arcomano, CCF Executive Director

Wednesday, April 24 | 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

After-School Programming: Beach Clean Up

Chatham Community Center, 702 Main St., Chatham 

Get the kids involved in celebrating the earth by registering for this after-school beach clean up.

Thursday, April 25th | 10:00 a.m.

Old Village Walk

540 Main Street, Chatham 

Join members of the Friends of Trees for an “Old Village Walk.” Enjoy visiting both old and elegant specimens, as well as “survivor” trees that have been impacted by the storms and wind of Chatham’s maritime climate as well as human encroachment. 

ARBOR DAY Friday, April 26 | 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Tree Sapling Giveaway

Chatham Community Center, 702 Main St., Chatham 

Friends of trees will lead a tree sapling giveaway.

Friday, April 26 | 1:00 p.m.

Tree Identification on Cape Cod

Webinar

Did you realize Cape Cod is home to almost 40 species of native and naturalized trees? Learn how to recognize them in this online webinar with naturalist Tom Walker.

Saturday, April 27 | Two start times - 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Chatham Town Clean-Up

Mayo House, 240 Main St., Chatham 

It’s a great time for a clean up! Join the effort by showing up at Mayo House at one of two start times. You’ll be assigned a route and given gloves, a safety vest and a trash grabber. Clean Up routes will be 1 mile. Bring friends and family.

Saturday April 27 & Sunday, April 28 | 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Annual Book & Media Swap

Chatham Town Annex, 261 George Ryder Rd., Chatham

Bring your old books and participate in Chatham Recycles' “Annual Book & Media Swap.”

Sunday, April 28 | All Day

National Take Back Prescription Medication Day

Chatham Police Station, 249 George Ryder Rd., Chatham 

This is the perfect opportunity to drop off your old medications instead of flushing them into the groundwater.

Celebrate Earth Month with Barnstable Land Trust

Join Barnstable Land Trust (BLT), Sturgis Library and other partners including: Native Land Conservancy, Bartlett Tree Experts, Cotuit Center for the Arts/Cape Cod CAN, Ellen Snoeyenbos, and Tommy Burgess with special events and programs all month long!

Wednesday, April 3 | 8:00 – 10:00 am

Weeding Wednesday with BLT

Barnstable Land Trust Conservation Center, 1540 Main Street, W. Barnstable

Join BLT’s Weeding Wednesday crew at to help maintain native landscape gardens. Weeding Wednesday projects might include invasive plant removal, pollinator garden weeding, seed saving, and general property maintenance projects. Note:  Registration is required! 

Wednesday, April 3 | 10:30 am

Wish Tree StoryTime

Sturgis Library

Join BLT at Sturgis Library for this special edition storytime where they will talk about ways they can help the planet and then add a wish to the Wish Tree.

Friday, April 5 | 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Barnstable Land Trust Green Team

The Michael R. Kramer Center at Fuller Farm, 995 Rte. 149, Marstons Mills

For 2-hours this month, volunteer at Fuller Farm. Volunteer opportunities may include trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, pollinator garden weeding, and something related. Note: Registration is required.

Wednesday, April 17 | 10:30 a.m.

Garden Party Storytime

Sturgis Library, 3090 Main St., Barnstable 

Kids will learn about gardening and help plant seeds in the library's children's garden. After the merriment, a celebratory snack will be available for the sprout-sized gardeners to enjoy.

Friday, April 19 | 12:30 p.m.

Upcycled Bead Bracelets

Sturgis Library, 3090 Main St., Barnstable

Join Sturgis Library for and afternoon of crafting. Make your own beaded bracelet using beautiful beads made from upcycled glass! Ages 7 and up. Registration is required!

Friday, April 19 | 1:00 p.m.

Hunt for Poetry

Cotuit Library/Ropes Field, 58 Putnam Ave., Cotuit

The Hunt for Poetry is a new team-based game where groups of all ages will search to find parts of their team’s color-coded poem in Ropes Field. The poetry featured will include classic writers such as Shel Silverstein, Dr. Seuss, and even the Cotuit Library's founder, Lucy Gibbons Morse. Pre-registration is suggested.

Monday, April 22 | 10 a.m. - Noon

Echoes of Nature: A Mary Oliver Poetry Walk

Pogorelc Sanctuary, BLT Conservation Center, 1540 Main St., W. Barnstable

Experience the natural world infused with Mary Oliver's poetry on a guided walk led by Ellen Snoeyenbos of the Walking Readers Group at Pogorelc Sanctuary. Reflect on Oliver's "Devotions" collection while strolling through nature. This event kicks off BLT's eARTh Connections program, supported by the Mid-Cape Cultural Council. Cost: $10 for Members, $15 for Nonmembers.Registration is required!

Monday, April 22 | 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Earth Day Maker Monday

Cotuit Center for the Arts| Arts Studio, 4404 Falmouth Rd., Cotuit MA

Join CapeCodCAN, for a special “Earth Day Maker Monday” art studio experience. Participants will create a nature-inspired project that celebrate the earth and the importance of protecting our environment. CapeCodCAN provides opportunities for inclusion and active participation in the arts for people with disabilities on Cape Cod. Limited enrollment plus fee; registration required!

Friday, April 26 | 7:30 a.m.

Birding Morning with Tommy Burgess

Pogorelc Sanctuary, BLT Conservation Center, 1540 Main St., W. Barnstable

Join Barnstable Land Trust with walk leader and ornithology educator, Tommy Burgess, to explore a local birding spot and take in the fresh morning air. This is on an easy trail that is about ¼ mile in length, and will include a number of stops and starts to listen and look for birds. Please bring binoculars. Event will be cancelled in the case of rain or severe weather. Registration is required, and there is a limit of 10 participants. 

Friday, April 26 | 1:00 p.m.

Trees are Key: An Arbor Day Talk and Walk

The Michael R. Kramer Center at Fuller Farm, 995 Rte, 149, Marstons Mills

Celebrate Arbor Day with Bartlett Tree Experts at Fuller Farm in Marstons Mills. Join a tree talk and walk, learn about tree care tips, research, and receive a seedling. Bartlett Tree Experts, founded in 1907, is a global leader in tree care.Pre-registration is required for this program. 

Regional resources for climate advocates

We welcome climate news from your home, school, business, town, faith community, or organization. Please submit your news, events, or article ideas to info@capecodclimate.org.