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A message from our president
A
nother Summer of Vibrant Seashore Programs
This summer, National Seashore neighbors and visitors were treated to a broad variety of programs exploring many dimensions of this special place.
In addition to the robust schedule of ranger-guided activities supported by the park's operating budget and program fees, funding from Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore greatly enhanced opportunities for people to connect with and enjoy the seashore.
The concert series at Far Land at Herring Cove beach was underwritten by Friends again this year. These musical events brought hundreds of people to Herring Cove Beach on Sunday and Wednesday nights to enjoy local bands and to experience the quintessential Cape Cod sunset.
Thousands more attended Friends-funded performance events at Salt Pond Amphitheater, including acoustic musicians, bands, storytellers, and the Cape Symphony.
While we say goodbye to summer, fall is filled with exciting events from Beech Forest walks to discovering Nauset Marsh.
On behalf of your board, and as your new president for 2019-2020, thank you for supporting Friends and being such a vital partner.
Darin Krum
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Atlantic White Cedar Swamp
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State of the Park with
Superintendent Brian Carlstrom
 Join us on Monday, October 21 at 6 PM at the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham for the annual "State of the Park" address by Superintendent Brian Carlstrom.
Take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about 2019 accomplishments such as the repair and reopening of the parking area at Herring Cove Beach and the completion of the rehab of the Head of the Meadow Bike Trail.
Find out about current and future projects such as the rehab of the historic station at Coast Guard Beach in Eastham and the rehab project at Highland Light about to get underway.
In addition, Friends will be presenting a $75,000 "check" to the park, the result of our fundraising efforts for the repair and rehab of the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail in Wellfleet.
We'll also be signing our official agreement with the National Park Service and Cape Cod National Seashore which will be in effect for the next ten years.
This important document guides and foster our relationship permitting our continued efforts to support our mission as the "not-for-profit fund-raising partner of the Cape Cod National Seashore, a partnership established in 1987 to help preserve, protect and enhance the fragile environment and unique cultural heritage of the park."
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Friends Support Seashore
Bike Safety
Bike accidents cause the greatest number of injuries in the national seashore, many of them serious and life-threatening.
For the ninth consecutive summer, Cape Cod National Seashore's Bike Safety Committee has hosted events aimed at promoting bike safety.
Friends has been a critical partner in this venture, providing funding so staff can give away helmets to those who need them, and purchasing coupons for free Ben and Jerry's ice cream cones that bike patrol volunteers hand out when they catch bicyclists in the act of safe riding. This program could not continue without the support of Friends.
Our rapidly warming climate is already causing significant environmental, social, economic and health impacts in every country in the world. Cape Cod communities and Cape Cod National Seashore have a "front row" seat for some of the most serious changes.
After decades of delays, concrete actions to mitigate and adapt to these changes are underway.
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Geoff Sanders is the new Chief of Natural Resource Management and Science
Welcome to Geoff Sanders
as
the Chief of Natural Resource Management and Science for the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Geoff's 20-year-plus career as a field ecologist has provided him with a wide range of experience in the applied science and ecology of coastal ecosystems.
Most recently, he led a team of natural resource scientists and professionals in the inventory and monitoring of natural resources at the National Capital Region's Inventory and Monitoring Network.
"Geoff tremendous background and experience in field science and resource management will serve him well at Cape Cod National Seashore," said Superintendent Brian Carlstrom. "Geoff will be a major asset to our senior management team, and we are looking forward to working with him."
"I have had a long-standing interest in working at Cape Cod National Seashore and I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with the incredible natural resources here and addressing the management challenges that surround them," said Geoff.
He is excited to be living in Wellfleet and is looking forward to exploring the communities, history, and natural resources of the Outer Cape with his family.
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New Viewing Platform at Old Harbor Improves Visitor Experence
On August 8, just in time for this summer's special Wrecks and Rescues: Honoring Shoreline Heroes event at Old Harbor, builder Steve Smith assembled and installed the Friends-funded viewing platform in the life-saving station's boatroom.
Since acquisition of the motor surfboat several years ago, staff and Old Harbor volunteers have sought ways to allow the public to safely see inside the boat.
This idea came to fruition following last year's Friends fundraising dinners that directed a portion of proceeds toward building the viewing platform.
Visitors and volunteers are commenting on what a great improvement this is.
Science in the Seashore
The 2019 Science in the Seashore Symposium sponsored by Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore through a generous donation from the Chambers Family Foundation was held on September 12.
This year's event attracted the highest attendance yet and covered topics ranging from ticks and bats to coastal shoreline change and an update on the Herring River restoration project. Friends'
sponsor the Nickerson Fellowship, which provides annual grants for research in the national seashore.
Cape Cod Healthcare and Cape Cod National Seashore once again sponsored The Run/Walk for Heart Health a 5K event which was held September 21. More than 200 people registered and ran or walked in this annual event.
This collaboration between the National Park Service and Cape Cod Healthcare was created as part of the National Park Service Centennial.
Proceeds from the event benefit Friends of Cape Cod National Seashore and Cape Cod Healthcare's Cardiac Rehab Center.
We have received more than $3,000 in contributions over the past two years as a result of this successful event.
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