Please join Osterville Village Library and Barnstable Land Trust for a program with Gil Newton, one of BLT's founders to learn about the great diversity in our local waters. Explore the variety of marine plants and animals along the Cape shoreline, their ecology, and the diverse habitats in which they are found. The presentation will include a survey of marine mollusks, crabs, echinoderms, sponges, horseshoe crabs, seaweeds and other common species. This event is free and open to the public but pre-registration is suggested. You can also check out the zoom options here.

Spring into May with BLT's Sue Dahling Sullivan as a Community Reader at Osterville Village Library. This children's story time and craft will celebrate why it is important to plant the seeds for future tree-huggers. Kids and adults will be encouraged to branch out afterwards by helping to build a 3D forest in the library's Lillian Dixie Morton Children's Room. More details can be found here.

In late spring, all across the state, populations of 17-year-periodical cicada will simultaneously emerge, reaching mythic proportions, flooding the world around us. They will sing, mate and die all within a few short weeks. Plymouth County Entomologist Blake Dinius will detail this creature's fascinating biology, helping us better appreciate their epic buzz.

Join BLT and Mark Kesling, founder of The daVinci Pursuit, for an enchanting art science nature walk where we will delve into the hidden, secret tiny worlds that thrive all around us! This unique experience invites participants to explore the intricate ecosystems of microhabitats found in local parks and nature reserves. As we stroll along winding paths, we’ll take a closer look at the often-overlooked wonders of nature, from the delicate structures of moss and lichen to the vibrant colors of tiny wildflowers. You'll engage with both artistic and scientific perspectives, learning about the roles these small organisms play in their ecosystems. With field notebooks and sketching materials in hand, participants will be encouraged to capture their observations through art and journaling. Guided discussions will unveil the fascinating science behind these miniature worlds, including their biodiversity and ecological importance. Led by an experienced naturalist and artist, this walk promises to awaken your senses, inspire creativity, and deepen your appreciation for the small wonders that often go unnoticed. Come ready to be amazed by the beauty and complexity of nature’s tiny realms! This is part of BLT's eARTh Connections series which is supported in part by a grant from the Mid-Cape Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

As part of Barnstable’s Open Space Committee's annual spring walking weekend, you are invited to join Barnstable Land Trust and Jack Ahern, Professor Emeritus of Landscape Architecture at University of Massachusetts, who will lead a 90-minute walk on how to read “clues” to past land uses on BLT's Bell Farm conservation area in Cotuit that includes former bogs, wolf trees, and traces of succession. Bell Farm borders a nearby parcel, the Monteiro property, that BLT is actively working to preserve with the town. The Monteiro property is part of a missing piece in a very large conservation puzzle that includes BLT’s Eagle Pond and Little River sanctuaries and Bell Farm conservation area, in addition to water department land, the town-owned Mosswood Cemetery, and Lowell Park Woodlands co-owned by BLT and the town. Pre-registration is required; walk details and parking will be emailed to those who register. This is part of BLT's eARTh Connections series which is supported in part by a grant from the Mid-Cape Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

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. $10 members/$15 nonmembers.

Hike 1.5-miles through Sandy Neck’s Great Marsh and sand dunes to explore barrier beach flora and fauna with Barnstable Land Trust and Sandy Neck Park Staff. You’ll learn about ongoing efforts to protect and restore these and other sensitive natural communities. Wear sturdy hiking boots to walk over sand and uneven terrain. For more information call the Gatehouse: 508-362-8300 or visit the web site www.blt.org This hike is free. NOTE: All Sandy Neck hikes are considered strenuous in difficulty because this includes walking on loose sand.

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. $10 members/$15 nonmembers.

Barnstable Land Trust and the Cape Cod Maritime Museum invite you for a field walk on May 3 that will introduce participants to the variety of marine plants and animals along the sandy shore and dune system of Kalmus Beach in Hyannis. Join Gil Newton and explore the ecology and the diverse habitats of this popular beach. The walk will include a survey of marine mollusks, crabs, echinoderms, sponges, horseshoe crabs, seaweeds and other common species that we find. Mr. Newton will share his knowledge of coastal systems and their importance in conservation.

You’ll be happy as a clam when you join the Barnstable Association of Recreational Shellfishing (BARS) and Barnstable Land Trust for the 22nd Annual Blessing of the Rakes ceremony. The ceremony includes the customary reading of the BARS Memorial Clam Roll which honors BARS members who have passed, as well as a short inspirational blessing. Bring your shellfish rakes, and have them blessed for a bountiful harvest by a local clergy member. Immediately following at the same location, attendees who bring their own equipment and have a valid shellfishing license are invited to join BARS members for a low-tide early morning quahog harvest. With or without a rake, everyone is invited to go with the flow and enjoy being part of this special Cape Cod tradition. Car pooling encouraged; Parking information will be sent with pre-registration.

Join BLT, the Town of Barnstable’s Natural Resources Team and other community partners for some spring cleaning at Keyes Memorial Beach in Hyannis. Gloves and trash bags will be provided as well as a thank you gift. Please dress accordingly for the weather and join the fun! Pre-registration is suggested. Questions? Call Barnstable Natural Resources: 508-790-6272

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. $10 members/$15 nonmembers.

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. $10 members/$15 nonmembers.

Join Cotuit Library, Barnstable Land Trust, and the Cotuit Center for the Arts for a tree-mendous post-Earth Day celebration that you won't want to miss! Kids will have fun creating Earth Day crafts on the Art Bus, participating in a nature themed scavenger hunt around the library, identifying parts of plants with microscopes, and music-making with mallets and flowerpots, cans and acorn shakers. It's never too late to celebrate our wonderful planet. We hope to see you there!

Stroll together through the natural world with the words of poet, Mary Oliver, echoing in our minds. Join Ellen Snoeyenbos, founder of the Walking Readers Group, for this unique opportunity to blend literature and nature. The group will walk and pause along the trail at Pogorelc Sanctuary to read poems from Oliver's "Devotions" collection and reflect on what her poetic images mean.

This is the first of four nature/literature walks under BLT's new eARTh Connections programming which is supported in part by a grant from the Mid-Cape Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Books are also available for purchase at Titcomb's Bookshop in Sandwich. Registration is required.

This special event is perfect for kids who love fairy tales and nature. We invite kids ages 7-11 to this fun hands-on event.

Spend a morning creating a magical Fairy House. We will provide some building materials. We’ll also go into the forest together to collect more materials, and then we’ll come back to the barn to construct our houses. You can bring some supplies if you like, but remember when collecting to take only items that have fallen to the ground, not ones that are currently attached to plants or trees. 

Refreshments will be provided. Come dressed to be outside. Rain date April 18th.

This workshop takes place at Fuller Farm in Marstons Mills, a Barnstable Land Trust property that hosts the Resilient Roots demonstration garden (995 Route 149).

Join BLT, the Town of Barnstable Natural Resources team, and other community partners for some spring cleaning at Ropes Beach and nearby areas in Cotuit. Gloves and trash bags will be provided as well as a thank you gift. Please dress accordingly for the weather and join the fun! Pre-registration is suggested to make sure there are enough supplies. Questions? Call Barnstable Natural Resources: 508-790-6272

Sturgis Library is teaming up with Barnstable Land Trust for a fun filled, special edition, Earthy Storytime in celebration of Earth Month! Join us for a story, bubbles, songs, crafts, & merriment!

Drop in– no registration required.

Learn how to grow healthy, delicious shiitake mushrooms on logs at this hands-on workshop. You will learn all the necessary steps for growing shiitakes yourself, such as what type of logs are used, when to harvest them, how to inoculate the logs, and where to store them. We will provide the instructions, materials, and tools you need. You will get hands-on experience inoculating one log to take home, included in the fee. 

This workshop takes place at Fuller Farm in Marstons Mills, a Barnstable Land Trust property that hosts the Resilient Roots demonstration garden (995 Route 149).

Earth Day 2025 – Honor the Earth Fair: BLT is honored to be an exhibitor at the Native Land Conservancy and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Natural Resources Department's Honor the Earth Fair, an event to celebrate the tributes of the earth from the indigenous perspective and demonstrate the best practices for living in balance with nature including rescuing, preserving, and protecting our shared home. The event is free and open to the public and will feature traditional indigenous craft vendors, traditional cultural performances, speakers and children's activities.

Learn how to grow healthy, delicious shiitake mushrooms on logs at this hands-on workshop. You will learn all the necessary steps for growing shiitakes yourself, such as what type of logs are used, when to harvest them, how to inoculate the logs, and where to store them. We will provide the instructions, materials, and tools you need. You will get hands-on experience inoculating one log to take home, included in the fee. 

This workshop takes place at Fuller Farm in Marstons Mills, a Barnstable Land Trust property that hosts the Resilient Roots demonstration garden (995 Route 149).

Join BLT and partners for some spring cleaning at Kalmus Beach in Hyannis. While Barnstable’s Marine and Environmental Affairs team gets ready for piping plover season, volunteers from BLT and other community groups are invited to help make sure these beachfront nesting grounds are ‘move-in’ ready. Gloves and trash bags will be provided as well as a thank you gift. Please dress accordingly for the weather and join the fun! Pregistration is suggested.

Plastic is everywhere, and we use it everyday. But what if we all tried to use less? Join Haley O'Neil from CARE for the Cape and Islands, a local nonprofit dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship, for a discussion on reducing plastic use. This presentation explores how plastic ends up in our environment, the harm it causes to marine life, and, most importantly, simple swaps you can make to reduce its use. We’ll dive into what plastic is, its different types, and what happens when we’re done using it. Join BLT, Centerville Public Library, and CARE to learn easy, impactful ways to reduce plastic and help protect Cape Cod’s natural beauty for future generations. This event will be held in the lower level Community Rooms AB of the Centerville Public Library.

With the winter season upon us, many plants have dropped their fall foliage providing an extra challenge for identifying tree and shrub species. Join naturalist Tom Walker to learn how to distinguish native and naturalized plants without their summer leaves in the West Barnstable Conservation area. Participants will learn about bark characteristics, branching patterns, buds, fruits, habitat preferences, and a little bit of Cape Cod Forest history during these walks. Please bring a hand lens or magnifying glass if you have one. If you do not have one, a hand lens will be provided. Parking information will be provided upon registration.

Calling all stuffed animals for the ‘glamping’ version of a Stuffy Sleepover! Stuffies of all ages are invited to explore their ‘wild’ side and experience life as a happy camper during February School Vacation Week as they join Barnstable Land Trust and friends to explore the great outdoors (and indoors!) as they snuggle in sleeping bags, gather round the campfire, go for mini-hikes, and more. Human guardians and their plushy pals are invited to a special registration and drop-off “Come in Your PJ’s” event at 3:30 pm on Tuesday, February 18, at BLT’s headquarters for a themed storytime and craft session with our guest camper, Ms. Christy from West Barnstable’s Sturgis Library. Afterwards, BLT camp counselors will take the ‘night shift’ as the stuffy sleepover adventures begin. Pick-up is the next day on Wednesday, February 19, from 10-2 pm at BLT headquarters aka the Stuffy Sleepover Campground.

Join the Town of Barnstable Natural Resources team, AmeriCorps Cape Cod, Keep Barnstable Beautiful, Barnstable Clean Water Coalition, Barnstable Association for Recreational Shellfishing (BARS) and BLT's volunteer brigade to kick-off the month of February by helping to clean-up Dowses Beach in Osterville.  Just bring yourself -  gloves and trash bags are provided.

Pre-registration suggested but not required. Weather permitting - no rain date. Questions? Call Barnstable Natural Resources: 508-790-6272      

Barnstable Land Trust is pleased to once again take part in WaterWORKS, a day of exploration and excitement where 400 students from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Plymouth will interact with 60+ blue economy and STEM related employers and educators. Interactive displays, fun activities, in-depth one-on-one conversations, and panel Q&A sessions leave students with a greater understanding of the career opportunities waiting for them here at home. WaterWORKS promotes blue economy businesses by providing a platform to demonstrate their work, share internships and employment opportunities, and advocate for job skills required in their fields. This year, a portion of the event to 200 additional attendees including college students of all ages, families of students, younger learners, entrepreneurs, and active job seekers.

Kick-off 2025 on the right foot with some fun activities during BLT’s First Day Open House for all ages! Explore trailside treasure hunting with local experts at our pop-up geocaching training course. Add your 2025 wish to BLT’s one-of-a kind upcycled tree branch “Wishing Tree,” and make a first day craft to commemorate the new year. To make the day extra sweet, enjoy s’mores by a roaring bonfire (weather permitting) and free giveaways (while supplies last). Thank you to Cape Cod 5 for their support of this program. We hope to see you there!

NOTE: No need to register for this drop-in event which runs from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm. This event will take place rain or shine.

Ring in the New Year with a sunrise hike at Sandy Neck Beach, a barrier beach and park.  Watch the sky come alive as the world awakens to 2025 and join Barnstable Land Trust’s Director of Land Stewardship, Kelly Barber, as she guides you across smooth sand, rolling dunes, and marshland trails. This endangered area is comprised of freshwater wetlands, a salt marsh, and has been recognized by the state of Massachusetts as an area of critical environmental concern. See the new year in a new light with this hike as part of First Day Hikes Cape Cod, the region's 4th annual collaboration encouraging people to get outdoors with free guided walks and activities that explore Cape Cod’s parks, trails, and natural resources. Please note, this hike will cover 1.6 miles of moderate to difficult terrain, consisting of mostly loose sand. Please only register if you are an experienced hiker and can keep a hiking pace of 2mph on this type of terrain. Hike will last approximately 1.5 hours. Please bring layers, water, and anything else you need for a successful hike. Pre-registration is highly recommended through blt.org to be notified of cancellation in the case of severe weather. 

This event will take place rain or shine.

A unique one-day regional celebration featuring free special walks, talks, and hikes across Cape Cod providing a range of opportunities for families, children, residents, and visitors to explore nature on the first day of the new year. Spearheaded by Barnstable Land Trust, this unique collaboration representing 16 conservation groups highlighting 18 events at multiple locations across Cape Cod is the only regional celebration of-its-kind in the nation.