A Message from the President |
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I hope this finds you all well, warm and willing to endure the probability of a couple of meteorological setbacks before the warming trends are a sure thing. At this writing, it is sunny with calm winds…and 59 degrees…there is hope!! I know, it’s only March, but it’s still nice to have a glimpse of Spring weather, however brief.
You should know that your Board of Directors has been busy over the winter months.
Planning is well under way for the annual Symphony at the Seashore event in August, which coincides with the 60th Anniversary of the Cape Symphony and the 35th Anniversary of the Friends. This magnificent musical event, held at the Salt Pond Visitor Center, has always been free to the public and, along with the Cape Symphony, the Friends are working on ways to keep it that way. We hope to release more information about this soon.
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Also, to recognize our 35th anniversary, the Friends Board is working on a speaker series for the fall, to highlight the various ways the Cape Cod community in general, and the park and the Friends in particular, performs its stewardship of the Cape Cod National Seashore. More news about that will be available as the planning takes shape. |
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In this issue you will find articles on: one of the other park partners, Truro Historical Society; an update on what is happening in East Harbor (otherwise known as Pilgrim Lake) in North Truro; and an article by one of your board members who is a scientist working at the Center for Coastal Studies, Agnes Mittermayr, on a fascinating little critter, the tube worm.
There is more, and I know you will enjoy the read! Peter Eisenbarth
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Join seashore rangers to explore a variety of resources and stories during guided programs this spring. photo: NPS/French
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Cape Cod National Seashore rangers are offering a variety of programs throughout the spring focused on Outer Cape history and natural resources.
Link to the Cape Cod National Seashore's
for details.
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Gratitude
We are thankful to our members and donors for their generosity as we continue to fund the many Cape Cod National Seashore projects that rely on our financial support.
We particularly acknowledge the significant memorial donations received in memory of longtime member Peter Skrobela. We are grateful to have been named a beneficiary in honoring his memory.
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Cape Cod Symphony will return to perform at the Salt Pond Visitor Center this summer on August 26. FCCNS is one of the sponsors of this special event. |
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Partner Profile: Truro Historical Society by Susan Howe, President, Board of Directors
The Truro Historical Society was founded in 1969 by a group of Truro residents to preserve the town’s history when the Cape Cod National Seashore was created. The group took over the management of the Highland House, which was built as a resort hotel in 1907, and transformed it into Truro’s Historical Museum.
The Truro Historical Society played a very important role in saving the Highland Lighthouse from the effects of erosion and worked with the Cape Cod National Seashore and state and local officials to move the lighthouse back from the edge of the cliff. Through the generosity of locals and visitors alike, over $150,000 was raised. In 1996, $1 million in federal funds and $500,000 in state funds were added, and the 484-ton lighthouse was moved back 450 feet from its former location.
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Through the years, the Truro Historical Society has received numerous donations, often from residents’ basements and attics, to create exhibitions at the Highland House Museum about the many interesting aspects of local history. Works on paper including books, photographs and maps are housed at the Cobb Archive, which was originally the town’s first public library, built in 1912. |
The Truro Historical Society has been in the process of restoring the Highland House Museum for the past five years, thanks to generous grants from the Truro Community Preservation Fund, the MA Cultural Council and many smaller groups and individuals. Work is now complete and includes a climate-controlled storage area and an elevator to make the museum accessible to all. We are looking forward to our Restoration Celebration at the museum, June 24.
The Highland House Museum is open seasonally, June 1 to
September 30 each year; the Cobb Archive is open year round.
The Truro Historical Society has a 20-year lease with the National Park Service to preserve and provide public access to the Highland House Museum. Photos courtesy of the Truro Historical Society.
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The Friends are once again partnering with the Center for Coastal Studies for an Earth Day beach clean up on Saturday, April 23 at 1 pm. To sign up, email: jmechling@coastalstudies.org. You will receive an email closer to the date about the location. |
Creature Feature
by Agnes Mittermayr, Ph.D. Marine Ecologist, Center for Coastal Studies and FCCNS Board member
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Bamboo worms, or Clymenella torquata are tube worms native to East Coast waters. They build sandy tubes in which they live upside down, feeding underground on plant particles and microorganisms. As with many other worms, the name tells us a lot about the appearance of this species. Bamboo worms are long and slender and resemble stalks of bamboo. Because they are so fragile and break apart easily when handled it is rare to find a complete specimen, which can grow up to two feet long! |
We find most of our Bamboo worms in Nauset Marsh, where they play an important role altering sediment characteristics and promoting eelgrass growth. Before moving to the east coast, Bamboo worms were at the top of my worm-bucket list. I am happy to report, these unique creatures are even more fascinating in real life!
Photos courtesy of the author.
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FORE! Searching for Eastham's Elusive Cedar Bank Links
by Bill Burke, Park Historian
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Arriving in sleepy Eastham driving a bright red Stutz Bearcat roadster, Quincy Adam Shaw supervised the construction of his dream links course. |
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The brainchild of wealthy Boston financier Quincy Adams Shaw, the Boston Evening Transcript touted the course in 1928 as, “One of the finest natural layouts in the world.” A local crew with a horse named Jerry pulling a large iron scoop constructed the course in three years. They dug bunkers, smoothed greens and followed the land’s contours to create a true links course. They transformed fertile fields of turnip and asparagus and located greens with commanding views of marsh, dune, and ocean. Natural hazards like Salt Pond and windy conditions created nasty challenges. Going from holes 16 to 17, golfers boarded a small scow equipped with ropes and pulleys to cross the tidal channel. Shaw operated the private 6,500 yard par 72 course from 1928 to 1948, but in its later years he reduced it to the “Nauset Nine” to streamline maintenance. Every weekend from mid April until fall, 10 to 20 of Mr. Shaw’s golfing friends played four 18 hole rounds. Even golf legend Francis Ouimet, the father of amateur golf, and the phenom Bobby Jones, who later helped design Augusta National, grinded through the conditions with local caddies scrambling to keep up. Yet over a half century later the links has essentially vanished from the landscape. Or has it?
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Most visible, especially during winter, are the overgrown bunkers which can be glimpsed from the bike and hiking trails connecting Coast Guard Beach. A surviving cement greens roller has slowly drifted into the marsh, but the seashore plans to drag it back up on dry land to be viewed. The cedars, English oaks and beach plums have bravely retaken the land now forever preserved by our national seashore. A local mini golf adopted the original hole names from a vintage Cedar Bank scorecard. Don Sparrow, beloved Eastham native and former caddie, compiled reminiscences of the course which his father managed in his books on local lore. Decades later, in his final chapter in life, Don met some friends in Great Gatsby attire at the former 9th green, now the lawn in front of Salt Pond Visitor Center, to play one last hole. |
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East Harbor Ecology Research
by Sophia Fox, Ph.D., Aquatic Ecologist, Cape Cod National Seashore
Driving north on Route 6 in North Truro, you can’t miss the beautiful views of East Harbor with the Province Lands dunes beyond. Starting this spring, Cape Cod National Seashore scientists along with collaborators from Center for Coastal Studies and Antioch University will be studying the ecology of the East Harbor system. Cape Cod National Seashore American Conservation Experience intern, Dana Grieco, taking a sample in East Harbor
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In 2002, tidal flow was partially restored to East Harbor, by opening a large culvert connected to Cape Cod Bay. After being cut off from the sea for over a century, marine plants and animals made their way back into the system.
Today, East Harbor boasts much of the diversity that we see in Cape Cod Bay. Clam rake sample from East Harbor showing a variety of shellfish and snail species.
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The research team will focus on understanding how shellfish and horseshoe crabs from their larvae up to adult stages are using this new habitat, and how the East Harbor system is serving as a nursery and refuge for many economically and culturally important species.
Adult male Horseshoe crab in East Harbor
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Seashore News Round-Up
by Sue Moynihan, Chief of Interpretation and Cultural Resources Management
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Nauset Light Beach Erosion
Recent storms caused significant erosion at Nauset Light Beach, necessitating that seashore staff move parking stops forward and install safety fencing along the bluff edge. We continue to watch this area, which has been an erosion hot spot for many years. For this reason, the new bathhouse is being constructed as far from the edge as possible for the longest possible lifespan. On the topic of the bathhouse, this significant infrastructure project has suffered numerous delays due to COVID-19-related impacts, including supply chain issues for construction materials. While we had hoped the facility would open during summer 2021, we have set our sights on summer 2022. Contractors are currently working on the septic field in anticipation of pulling in the construction zone so additional public parking can be provided. When completed, the bathhouse will have restrooms, changing rooms, and office and storage space for lifeguard operations.
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Field Work Happens Even in Winter!
Biological Science Technician Marta LeFevre-Levy is visiting the seashore's forest monitoring plots to replace PVC delineator posts. These locations are part of the seashore's long-term vegetation monitoring program to examine the health of different types of forest ecosystems within the park. The plots were last surveyed in 2012 and will be the focus of this summer's monitoring program. Over 40 forest plots span the seashore, from Provincetown to Eastham, consisting of herbs, shrubs, and trees. Park scientists will continue to analyze the diversity and abundance of the different types of cover across the plots.
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Volunteers Get the Job Done!
In 2021, Cape Cod National Seashore had 723 active volunteers who collectively contributed over 17,500 hours to improving the seashore through:
- Trail maintenance
- Vegetation cutting and burning for landscape health and vista management
- Visitor services, public programs, and special events
- Native garden maintenance
- Science and research
- Habitat restoration
- Species protection
- Historic structure preservation
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Volunteer Sharon helps visitors understand beach processes.
Many of these volunteers work directly with seashore staff, while others volunteer through one or more of our vital park partners. Are you interested in volunteering?
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Year 2 of Tribal Internships Underway
Cape Cod National Seashore is an overlay on the ancestral homeland of the Wampanoag people, many of whom continue to practice their cultural traditions on Cape Cod, the Islands, and Southeast Massachusetts. In 2021 we embarked on an exciting new partnership with the Mashpee and Aquinnah Wampanoag communities, placing college-age interns in our visitor services operation. Jada Randolph from Aquinnah (pictured during a public program) and Alyssa Harris from Mashpee shared their culture with the public during programs, staffed visitor centers, and helped build staff understanding of Wampanoag history, while developing new skills and gaining NPS career awareness. Jada noted, "This was my first 5-day 40-hr per week job. So at times it felt like a lot, but I learned what it means to be professional and part of a team. Everybody really cared about each other, we got good direction from our Supervisors, and it seemed like they wanted us to succeed." Alyssa shared, "I usually feel like knowledge seekers are genuine, so because of that, I am happy to share my knowledge with them because I feel that they deserve to hear the native perspective of history." In 2022, two interns will join our natural resource and science team for hands-on resource management work.
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1 + 1 = Way More Two!
Since 1987, the seashore and Friends have worked side-by-side on vital projects that benefit seashore resources and visitor experiences. Evidence of this partnership can be seen and experienced across the seashore, from well-preserved historic buildings and maintained trails, managed landscapes and open vistas, and support for science and research, to public programs, education experiences, and special events that showcase the seashore's culture, nature, beauty, and restorative powers. When the NPS collaborates with philanthropic partners the result is enduring improvements for parks and visitors. We are grateful for Friends' support of the seashore, and we look forward to what we can accomplish together over the next 35 years and beyond. Happy 35th Friends!
Photo: Reopening ceremony and donor recognition event at Eastham’s Red Maple Swamp Trail.
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Gearing Up for Spring and Summer Operations
Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote, "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?" We ask, "If spring comes, can summer be far behind?" Once we round the bend into March, we know we are practically on summer's doorstep, with many activities underway to prepare for the busy season: hiring and housing staff, preparing buildings for reopening, awakening dormant volunteer activities, and developing summer operational plans.
We hope summer 2022 allows for a return to pre-pandemic operations. Many seashore partners are also making plans to resume operations and open facilities. Bookmark the seashore's "Current Conditions" and "Partners" web pages to stay "in the know" about seashore operations.
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Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore, PO Box 550, Wellfleet, MA 02667 508-957-0729
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E-News Editor: Betsy Bray Layout: Marianne McCaffery
Unless otherwise indicated, all photos courtesy of the National Park Service
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