An initiative of Barnstable Land Trust (BLT), Marsh Madness is an online bracket competition where people can vote for their “fan favorite” while learning more about the importance of Cape Cod’s Marshes. This month-long virtual event (February 22 – April 6) is naturally positioned to rival college basketball’s March Madness popularity, as the environment commands the center court.

This is a single elimination tournament. For each match-up, vote for your favorite conservation champion. The nature superstar with the most votes advances to the next round. Only one will be crowned Marsh Madness champion. Meet the heroes – and villains - of the marsh, and vote for your favorite!

Barnstable Land Trust’s mission is to protect and preserve the natural spaces and places that make Barnstable so special.  We hope Marsh Madness is a fun and creative way to:

• Help people realize how alive, competitive, and interconnected a salt marsh really is. Framing plants, birds, insects, and marine life as “contenders” gives people a reason to notice—and care about—species they might otherwise overlook.

• Not everyone is ready to read a habitat report or attend a lecture. A game is welcoming, accessible, and fun—perfect for kids, families, seasonal residents, and year-round locals alike.

• Voting, following along, and sharing information creates a shared experience rooted in Cape Cod’s landscapes. We hope a sense of local pride motivates a long-term investment in why stewardship is so important.

• People learn about marsh ecology, threats, and conservation wins organically—and we wanted to make it fun!

• In the marsh, survival really is a mix of adaptation, competition, and resilience. We hope that Marsh Madness illustrates why the work of Barnstable Land Trust and land conservation efforts regionally are so critical to the future health of Cape Cod’s environment.

Subscribe to BLT’s bi-monthly enewsletter here, follow Marsh Madness on Facebook and Instagram, or cast your vote on BLT’s dedicated web page here.  Four rounds, one vote each— and be sure to add your email every time for a chance to win the ultimate Marsh Madness prize package.

• Round 1 - Sweet Sixteen: Sunday, February 22 – Sunday, March 1

• Round 2 - Elite Eight: Sunday, March 8 – Sunday, March 15

• Round 3 - Final Four: Sunday, March 22– Sunday, March 29

• Round 4 - Championship (2-day voting window): Sunday, April 5  – Monday, April6

Fans can vote here during the competition dates above or by clicking on the links in  BLT’s enewsletter and social media posts.

Every time you cast a vote and include your email address, you will automatically be entered into the prize package drawing.  This means you have the potential to be entered up to four times – so don’t forget to vote in each and every round!