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

For 2-hours this month, you can join BLT’s “green team” by volunteering at Fuller Farm, a 22-acre signature property with a short woodland loop overlooking cranberry bogs and an open meadow trail following the field edge of a former dairy farm. The volunteer project might include trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, pollinator garden weeding, and something related. This program is supported in part by the Cape and Islands United Way. Note: Registration is required for each individual First Friday project. Volunteers should be prepared for physical activity including lifting, kneeling, digging, and cutting brush. BYO water, work gloves, and wear pants and closed-toe shoes. Training will be provided. Limited tools will be provided. If you prefer to bring your own – shovels, loppers, hand saws, and/or rakes are recommended. Project Leader Kelly Barber, Director of Land Stewardship, will send out specific project details the day before the volunteer day. We look forward to your help in stewarding this community gem!

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.

Join Barnstable Land Trust, Barnstable Natural Resources and Keep Barnstable Beautiful to fit in one more 2024 beach day by helping to clean-up Craigville Beach in Centerville. Just bring yourself - gloves and trash bags are provided. Pre-registration suggested but not required.

For 2-hours this month, you can join BLT’s “green team” by volunteering at Fuller Farm, a 22-acre signature property with a short woodland loop overlooking cranberry bogs and an open meadow trail following the field edge of a former dairy farm. The volunteer project might include trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, pollinator garden weeding, and something related. This program is supported in part by the Cape and Islands United Way. Note: Registration is required for each individual First Friday project. Volunteers should be prepared for physical activity including lifting, kneeling, digging, and cutting brush. BYO water, work gloves, and wear pants and closed-toe shoes. Training will be provided. Limited tools will be provided. If you prefer to bring your own – shovels, loppers, hand saws, and/or rakes are recommended. Project Leader Kelly Barber, Director of Land Stewardship, will send out specific project details the day before the volunteer day. We look forward to your help in stewarding this community gem!

BLT’s Rising Waters Fish Flag project can be viewed at CARE for the Cape and Islands’ Take Care Summit.

In September 2024, Barnstable Land Trust celebrated “Environmental Awareness Month” with a month-long series of Climate Conversations featuring 15+ events and 19 community collaborators.  The Rising Waters Fish Flags that will be displayed were created by people of all ages and backgrounds, and reflect the rising waters projected for Aselton Park on Hyannis Harbor.  The flags illustrate that the mean high high tide (storm surge + sea level rise) on Hyannis Harbor will rise above ground level by 18” in 2030, 30” in 2050, and 36” in 2070 based on data collected from Climate Central using NOAA research.

Join Friends of Cotuit Library for an inspiring lunch at the Cotuit Library with Janet Milkman, Executive Director of Barnstable Land Trust, and Jack Gardner of the Friends of the Library. Learn about land conservation and community building right here in Barnstable!

Tickets are just $15 for Friends members, $20 for non-members, and include lunch! All proceeds support the library's mission.

Interested in learning more about your estate planning options?

Kathleen Fowler, Esq. is a board member of the Dennis Conservation Land Trust and a knowledgeable estate planning professional who will be offering a free workshop at the Harwich Community Center that will focus on estate planning including charitable gifts to environmental organizations. Registration can be done at events@harwichconservationtrust.org or by calling 508-432-3977.

As we move into the month of shorter days and longer nights, shadows become a predominant feature of the landscape. We will go on a shadow walk and learn both the science of shadows as well as the ways they can be used in our painting, sketching, and photography to build compositions that may even border on the surreal. What better way to begin your winter months than with the time change embraced by the shadows of nature. The walk is intended to introduce participants to the science concepts through the arts as well as some techniques for capturing the best impression. The daVinci Pursuit walks are designed for artists, photographers, and families of all ages and ability levels. Each walk represents a unique perspective of Trust lands. FREE!

Join Barnstable Land Trust and Professor Gil Newton on walk through the diverse ecosystems of Crocker Neck! Gil is a local ecologist and author, who will guide us through encounters not only a beach ecosystem, but a salt marsh and an 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. ($10 members/$15 nonmembers).