A Message from the President |
First, I wish you a very hopeful, happy and healthy 2021. I also hope you all found sources of joy in 2020, in spite of the obvious difficulties and challenges.
As for the Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore (FCCNS), we are optimistic for the coming year. Yes, it is going to be some time before we can resume our normal programs. We are, however, anticipating resumption of those activities as the Covid data allows. The planning session for our Annual Work Plan, created each year in conjunction with the Cape Cod National Seashore (CCNS), has been postponed until late February so that we can be more realistic about what looks possible for the coming season. We will keep you all informed on that process as it unfolds.
I know you will find some interesting articles in this edition of the E-News. Among them, an article by Bill Burke on an archeological find in the CCNS, and another by Jesse Mechling about the partnership between CCNS and the Center for Coastal studies.
But I also want to point out an interview, done by Sue Moynihan, with Ivan Ace. Ivan was aptly described by Warren Mumford, FCCNS 2nd VP, as the quintessential volunteer “role model”. I will let Sue’s interview speak for itself, but let me just say that having volunteers like Ivan is what makes organizations like the Friends work. Thank you, Ivan, for your years of dedication and your fine example. We love you, and you are already missed.
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I am suffering from pandemic fatigue as much as anyone, but if we all take good care of ourselves and each other, hopefully we can resume the FCCNS and Park programs sooner rather than later. In the meantime please take advantage of the natural wonder that is the CCNS. A walk around a kettle pond, or along a beach, or a hike through the dunes does wonders for the spirit, as well as the body. It’s also a great way to stay warm on these cold winter days. Bundle up! |
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Last, but not least, THANK YOU to our members for your continued support in the form of generous donations, as well as your membership renewals. You are what makes this organization work!
Peter Eisenbarth
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UPCOMING
EVENTS
Stay tuned:
Park Superintendent
Brian Carlstrom:
State of the Seashore: the year in review and a look ahead
Details about this late-winter virtual program will be forthcoming soon via email.
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Consider giving a gift membership to a friend or family member.
When renewing, consider upgrading your level of membership with our thanks.
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DONATE TODAY
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Volunteer opportunities have been scarce since last spring. We are always grateful for the efforts and enthusiasm of our dedicated members and friends that provide vital support including two who recently did a clean up project at the Marconi Headquarters building.
Thanks to Patty Shannon, FCCNS board member and volunteer coordinator for all her efforts.
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Park Partner: Center for Coastal Studies
by Jessie Mechling, Director, Marine Education
The Center for Coastal Studies has a long and continuous relationship with the Cape Cod National Seashore dating back to the Center’s founding in 1976. From its early days of offering graduate level classes using the Seashore’s beaches and marshes as the ideal natural classroom to the myriad of research projects and education programs happening today, the Center and the Seashore have always worked as partners to help promote science and stewardship in the region.
The natural environments within the park offer the perfect living laboratory utilized by the Center’s scientific staff committed to conducting science that matters. From leading walking tours searching for endangered North Atlantic right whales from park beaches, to studying microscopic invertebrates found in the mud in salt marshes, to using long-term observations of wave patterns at the Highland Center’s wave shed to determine the movement of sand along the outer beaches, the Center’s work and the Seashore are intrinsically linked.
In recent years with the increased presence of seals and white sharks to the beaches and nearshore waters of the park, Center scientists have worked closely with park administration, providing the most up-to-date science to assist in the management of these species.
Meanwhile just as in the early days of the Center, the Center’s education program continues to educate within the park and work with the Seashore’s interpretive program, co-leading joint seal walks, offering weekly lecture programs in the summer, leading multiple beach cleanups throughout the year, and now offering informative summer beach pop-up tents. For more information visit our website at https://coastalstudies.org
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Culture Corner with Park Historian Bill Burke
30 Years Ago an Ancient Habitation Site was Uncovered on Coast Guard Beach
It’s a gray November day, the year 1990. Local resident Dan Carns walked along the beach after an intense storm looking for new discoveries. Dan had walked here for years and was familiar with the shapes, textures and colors of leftovers spilling out of the dunes. But on this morning the dark ring of a deeply buried pit lined with colored crumbling stones glinted in the sun and revealed a hearth untouched for thousands of years. Thus began a frantic 16 month investigation led by national park archeologists to rescue as much of the site as possible as the relentless tides and storms charged in.
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In the end, although subsequent storms removed significant parts of the site, archeologists excavated 300 square meters and collected 20,000 artifacts. The unusual step of utilizing backhoes sped the process. More evidence lies undiscovered in 200 boxes of fill and soil samples that still await analysis. Native Americans flourished here at the edge of a freshwater marsh over a mile from the ocean from 2,100 to 1,100 years ago. Artifacts from this little known period include stone tools, grit-tempered ceramic, seeds including charred acorns and charcoal. |
Several critical lessons from the Carns episode remain. You never know when and where the next site will be uncovered. The public has an intense desire to know more but should resist the urge to disturb artifacts and instead notify a ranger. The exhibit at Salt Pond Visitor Center displays and interprets some of the best finds. And yes, the descendants of these native peoples still live here.
Cape Cod National Seashore has an extensive archeology section on it's website that includes several reports including The Carns Site report. Link here and explore!
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An Interview with Volunteer Ivan Ace
by Susan A. Moynihan, Cape Cod National Seashore
Chief of Interpretation and Cultural Resources Management
The national seashore is fortunate to have a large corps of volunteers who are passionate about their work helping seashore staff protect park resources and provide for public enjoyment. We recently honored one of our longest-tenured volunteers, Ivan Ace. Ivan has been a volunteer for 20 years through the seashore’s Adopt-A-Trail and Cut/Pile/Burn crews, which are collaborative programs with our philanthropic partner, Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Ivan also served as past president and board member with Friends. Most notably, Ivan is a volunteer magnet, attracting others from his large network of friends to join and expand the seashore’s volunteer ranks. We sat down with Ivan recently to chat about his involvement.
On the topic of how Ivan got started volunteering: "I am really inspired by the place. It’s extraordinary in its beauty. I feel privileged to live here, and I am a strong believer in the National Park Service mission, science, preservation, and recreation. I came to the volunteer program with no direction in mind, but I’ve been open to all opportunities that have come along and have grabbed them".
About Ivan’s ongoing involvement and motivation: "The National Park Service staff are delightful, and the commitment of Friends is inspiring. I think anyone who joins as a volunteer or helps Friends will feel the same encouragement and support I’ve felt. We feel valued, and it’s also been truly been fun".
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When asked what stands out as a highlight: "Really, it is the sum of the experience that stands out. But if I had to put something at the top of the list, it would be the sheer enjoyment of being on the Cut/Pile/Burn team for the past 15 years. We work every week through the cold months when there’s not much else to do. There’s an incredible team spirit. Fire Management Officer Dave Crary is a patient coach, he has a great sense of humor, and he values the team’s dedication. It’s been incredibly rewarding to be given the opportunity to grow within a position, and to move into mentoring new volunteers".
Ivan’s work has had distinct positive impacts on native landscapes and trails. We thank him for his dedicated service and hope his story inspires others to contribute to their communities.
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Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore| PO Box 550 Wellfleet, MA 02667| 508-957-0729
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