Titcomb’s Bookshop and Barnstable Land Trust present a family-friendly Storytime & Book Signing with author Susie Spikol on Thursday August 14th at 2:00 pm at Fuller Farm in Marstons Mills. The author will read her new book Forest Magic for Kids: How to Find Fairies, Make a Secret Fort, and Cook Up an Elfin Picnic, followed by a book signing and craft. This program is perfect for ages 5-9! This event is part of Titcomb's Bookshop's Young Naturalists event series, sharing children's books about nature and how kids and families can engage with the world around them with care.

Titcomb’s Bookshop, Barnstable Land Trust, and Resilient Roots present a family-friendly Storytime & Book Signing with author Susan Edwards Richmond on Wednesday August 13th at 9:30am at Fuller Farm in Marstons Mills. The author will read her new picture book The Great Pollinator Count, followed by a book signing, and a pollinator walk at BLT’s Fuller Farm including a short tour with Resilient Roots’ through their permaculture pollinator garden and trails and a pollinator craft. This program is perfect for ages 4-8! Families with kids of all ages are welcome. This event is part of Titcomb's Bookshop's Young Naturalists event series, sharing children's books about nature and how kids and families can engage with the world around them with care.

Join BLT, Titcomb's Bookshop, and editors Ilyssa Kyu and Dave Kyu to hear more this Cape Cod Tales and Travel Companion as part of their popular Campfire Stories series. Immerse yourself in a unique blend of literature and lore about Cape Cod, including classic passages, original essays, poems, and natural history. Curated story collections explore the rich and diverse legacies of Cape Cod and includes local recommendations for outdoor exploration, select cultural activities, camping options, gateway towns, and more. We are extra excited that BLT is named in the acknowledgements!

Join Barnstable Land Trust and Centerville Public Library for a talk with Dr. Stephen Rich about Project ITCH and tick prevention. Project ITCH (Is Tick Control Helping) is a region-wide research project that looks at backyard tick control practices to figure out what keeps ticks away, what doesn't, and why. Dr. Rich will discuss Project ITCH's work on Cape Cod and give tips on how to prevent tick-borne diseases.

Dr. Rich is the Executive Director of New England Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases. Registration is suggested.

Celebrate Summer on Cape Cod with a free community event that will be music to your ears! In a unique collaboration between Barnstable Land Trust, Cape Symphony, and the Osterville Village Library, the community is invited to bring their own flower pots (BYOFP) to the big tent at OVL for a participatory percussion concert. Nature and musical crafts will also be available. Thanks to the Make Music Day Alliance, Free Vic Firth mallets will be available while supplies last. Bring a small to mid-size pottery or ceramic flower pot (metal mixing bowls also work). See you under the big tent! (Registration is welcome but not required.)

Join BLT, the Town of Barnstable Natural Resources team, and other community partners for some spring cleaning at Millway Beach in Barnstable. 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 

Join Whelden Library for a walk at BLT’s Fuller Farm in Marstons Mills with guide Dave Scandurra of Edible Landscapes. Learn what’s safe to forage and so you can eat wild plants!

New and renewed members are invited to join us on Tuesday, July 15, from 4 to 6 pm for our Annual Meeting at Cape Cod Community College’s new Frank and Maureen Wilkens Science and Engineering Center. We will share exciting updates and accomplishments, conduct a brief business meeting, and celebrate our Founders Award and President’s Award winners. Light appetizers will also be available. A short building tour will be offered at 3:30 pm. All donors of $25 and above are considered Members of Barnstable Land Trust for a year after the date of their gift which enables them to vote at the Annual Meeting, take advantage of special program discounts, and receive invitations to special events.

Please RSVP by July 10 if you’d like to attend either in-person or via Zoom.

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. This hike is free.

NOTE: All Sandy Neck hikes are considered strenuous in difficulty because this includes walking on loose sand. This hike is free and is part of Hike Barnstable which is partially supported by Cape Cod Healthcare.

(This program was originally scheduled for June 24.)

Barnstable Land Trust is excited to be marching in Cotuit’s Fourth of July Parade this year! Come cheer us on as we celebrate community, conservation, and this cherished Cape Cod tradition!

Parade steps off at 11:00 AM from the Cotuit Post Office and heads down Main Street to Cotuit Elementary School. Roads close at 10:00 AM, so plan ahead!

Interesting in marching with BLT? Send us an email!

Join Barnstable Land Trust and Whelden Library for this special holiday weekend program! Learn about and MEET some endangered animals! The Joy’s of Nature’s Joy Marzolf will introduce kids to a chameleon, a boa Eastern rat snake, hognose, large TX rat snake, crested gecko, and a blue tongue skink. Best for ages 4 and up. This event is free and open to the public but pre-registration is required. Please sign up for either the 12:30 or 1:30 showtimes.

Join Barnstable Land Trust at the Osterville Village Library as author Gilbert Newton will present a children’s storytime reading from his book ‘A Young Person’s Guide to the Beach.’ This handy field guide will open a world of wonders to be discovered by young naturalists as they explore the dynamic shoreline of Cape Cod. There is great fun, joy, and pleasure in discovering life on the beach. The book will help these young explorers to familiarize themselves with the common plants and animals along the ocean’s edge. From shells to horseshoe crabs and starfish to seaweed, the photos and descriptions will help identify the many interesting living things at the shore.

This program is supported in part by Cape Cod Healthcare and the Mid-Cape Cultural Council, a local agency which is support by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Get ready to kick off summer with an afternoon of fun! Join Cotuit Library and friends for a fresh start to summer. Stations will be set up with games for all ages including nature crafts, friendly competitions, a family-friendly geocaching training course, and more. Ice pops available courtesy of the Cotuit Fire Department. Enjoy nature and community for an afternoon of fun!.

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.

Kick off summer with Barnstable Land Trust at Lowell Field, home of the Cotuit Kettleers! Learn about BLT, walk the trail through the classic pine-oak woodlands surrounding the Kettleers ball field, and participate in Kids Costume Day during the baseball game. Lowell Park is at the southern end of an 800-acre open space corridor and located at 10 Lowell Ave, Cotuit, MA 02635.

One of the most important ecosystems along the east coast is the salt marsh. Join Barnstable Land Trust at Osterville Village Library as Gil Newton takes you on a tour of this fascinating wetland. You will learn about the ecological significance of a salt marsh, its many uses throughout history, and its diversity of interesting plants and animals that live in a marsh. Mr. Newton will focus on the mashes of Cape Cod and why they are economically and environmentally important.

This program will take place in the Main Meeting Room at the Osterville Village Library. Unable to attend in person? Register for here to watch via Zoom.

In celebration of the summer solstice, join us for a peaceful and reflective walk around the Woodland Labyrinth, followed by a bonfire gathering to enjoy s’mores and chat with your neighbors. This special event hosted by Meetinghouse Farm and Barnstable Land Trust, offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature, embrace the longest day of the year, and set intentions for the season ahead. Participants are invited to wander the circular path, focusing on mindfulness, reflection and personal growth. Whether you’re seeking tranquility, inspiration or simply a moment of quiet in nature, the labyrinth provides a serene space for contemplation and celebration of the summer solstice. Come early to also explore the trails and gardens at Meetinghouse Farm. Pre-registration is suggested.

Discover hidden Piping Plover nests along the front beach with Barnstable Land Trust and Sandy Neck Park staff on a one-mile hike through the dunes of Sandy Neck. Explore barrier beach ecology. Learn about the Piping Plover’s life-cycle and conservation measures being taken to protect these endangered shorebirds. Wear hiking boots for sand/uneven terrain. For more information call the Gatehouse: 508-362-8300. This hike is free. NOTE: All Sandy Neck hikes are considered strenuous in difficulty because this includes walking on loose sand. This hike is free and is part of Hike Barnstable which is partially supported by Cape Cod Healthcare.

Join BLT, the Town of Barnstable Natural Resources team, and other community partners for some spring cleaning at Oregon Beach 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! Registration is suggested to make sure there are enough supplies. Questions? Call Barnstable Natural Resources: 508-790-6272

Hike 1.5-miles through Sandy Neck’s Great Marsh and sand to discover hidden Diamondback Terrapin nests with Barnstable Land Trust and Sandy Neck Park Staff. Learn about the Diamondback Terrapin’s life-cycle and ongoing conservation efforts to protect them in Massachusetts. Wear sturdy hiking boots to walk over sand and uneven terrain. For more information call the Gatehouse: 508-362-8300. This hike is free and is part of Hike Barnstable which is partially supported by Cape Cod Healthcare.

Barnstable Land Trust, in partnership with Cape Cod Healthcare, is excited to celebrate Hike Barnstable during the month of June with this special program.  Please join Cape Cod Healthcare physical therapist Kristen Siminski from VNA Public Health and Wellness, and Carla Fogaren, the founder of Cape Cod Nordic Walking, for an informative talk about the many benefits of Nordic walking, including a Nordic walking demonstration and resource information about the Cape Cod Nordic Walking (CCNW) group! Kristen has been a PT with Cape Cod Healthcare for 20 years and is passionate about Lifestyle Medicine and our ability to integrate health/wellness changes throughout the day. Carla is the creator of Cape Cod Nordic walking group (CCNW) and is excited to chat about this group which already has more than 3000 members on the Cape. Afterwards, join Kristen and Carla for a short trail walk at Fuller Farm.

Celebrate National Trails Weekend and join Barnstable Land Trust and friends as part of this Hike Barnstable special event where you can actually meet “Henry David Thoreau” (aka as Richard Smith of Concord who is a recognized living history interpreter well known for his Henry David Thoreau costumed portrayal). Explore BLT's Fuller Farm beautiful post and beam barn and be inspired by community readers who will bring Henry David Thoreau's short essay "Walking" and excerpts from Rachel Carson's "A Sense of Wonder" to life. Then "meander" the gentle trails at Fuller Farms afterwards. This program is supported in part by Cape Cod Healthcare and the Mid-Cape Cultural Council, a local agency which is support by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Registration suggested but not required.

Celebrate National Trails Day and join Barnstable Land Trust and Professor Gil Newton on walk through the diverse ecosystems of Crocker Neck in search of spring's most glamorous flower: the pink lady slipper! Gil, a local ecologist and author, will help us search for these delicate wild orchids that thrive in pine and pine/oak woodlands, while also exploring the wonders of a salt marsh and estuary as well. Learn all about these ecosystems and the flora and fauna that thrive here. This trail is about 1.5 miles long and classified as easy based on a generally flat, wide trail. Location provided to registrants, event will be cancelled or postponed in the case of rain or severe weather. This program is part of Hike Barnstable Month and supported in part by Cape Cod Healthcare.  

Join Sturgis Library and Barnstable Land Trust to hear New York Times bestselling author David Gessner who will share insights from his latest book, The Book of Flaco: The World's Most Famous Bird. This captivating story follows Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl who escaped from the Central Park Zoo and spent a remarkable year making the park—and the city around it—his home, all while capturing the world's imagination. David Gessner is the author of thirteen acclaimed books that weave together a deep appreciation for nature with humor, memoir, and environmental themes. Following the talk, join us for a book signing with books available for purchase on-site from Titcomb’s Bookshop.

As a BLT partner, Appalachian Mountain Club’s Southeastern MA chapter will be doing a brief tutorial and 4 mile hike in the Eagle Pond conservation area in Cotuit.  This FREE event will be approximately 2 hours in length.  The tutorial will provide an introduction on how to use a trail map and/or trail app to map out a hike or keep track of where you are from the start of the hike.  If you plan to use an app, please download AllTrails on your phone prior to the hike.  After the tutorial, we will take a hike around Eagle Pond and a white cedar swamp which will allow participants to use their new skills.  The hike will be on flat wooded trails with lots of uneven terrain.  Participants must wear sturdy shoes/sneakers and bring fluids for hydration.  Registration is required via AMC here where you will have to create a username and password if you do not have one.  NOTE:  You do not need to be an AMC member to participate.  This program is part of Hike Barnstable and is partially supported by Cape Cod Healthcare.

Let's get reading, moving, and outside with Cotuit Library! Parents and caregivers are invited to join this casual walking book event with their kids at Fuller Farm in Marstons Mills. There will be time for a short hike where parents and children can connect, a few stories with Miss Julie, and refreshments and a craft provided by Miss Sue from the BLT. While there’s no required reading, participants are encouraged to pick up a copy of Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff, if they wish to discuss the ideas with other parents. There are a few copies at the library ready for check out if any caregivers are interested in reading or skimming the book. Parking is located The Michael R. Kramer Center, 995 Rt 149, in Marstons Mills. Preregistration is encouraged.

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.