#FirstDayHikesCapeCod Launches January 1
Celebration marks the first regional effort of its kind in the nation representing 8 communities
Barnstable, MA (December 14, 2021) – Barnstable Land Trust and eight conservation groups are collaborating to launch #FirstDayHikesCapeCod on January 1, 2022. Building on the popularity of the national state park program originally launched in Massachusetts, this first-of-its-kind regional celebration features eleven (11) free special walks, talks, and hikes in eight (8) communities across Cape Cod providing a range of opportunities for families, children, residents, and visitors to get outside and explore on the first day of the new year.
“We are excited to take the lead in championing the inaugural launch of First Day Hikes Cape Cod, a new collaborative effort to encourage people to get outdoors with free guided walks and activities to explore Cape Cod’s parks, trails, and natural resources,” said Janet Milkman, Executive Director of Barnstable Land Trust. “This is a perfect opportunity for both residents and visitors to explore how the efforts of the conservation community are protecting and conserving the natural places that make Cape Cod so special.”
“Massachusetts began hosting First Day Hikes nearly two decades ago, leading to an annual tradition embraced across the nation that encourages people to begin the New Year by getting outside, connecting with nature, and exploring the unique natural resources we have here in the Commonwealth,” said DCR Acting Commissioner Stephanie Cooper. “DCR is pleased to build on its own First Day Hike offerings throughout the state parks system by working with valued partners like the Barnstable Land Trust to provide Massachusetts residents with greater access to open spaces.”
On January 1, 2022, local nonprofit conservation organizations representing the towns of Barnstable, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Falmouth, Harwich, Provincetown, and Wellfleet/Truro will offer free First Day Hikes on Cape Cod starting at sunrise and lasting throughout the day. All hikes are being offered free to the public and include morning meditations, sunrise salutes, history talks, family activities, and more.
A full schedule will be featured on www.blt.org, as well as on participating conservation partner websites and social media channels. Please check individual websites for event details concerning registration, weather cancellation policies, and any changes to individual events.
About #FirstDayHikesCapeCod
Championed by Barnstable Land Trust and supported by local conservation organizations, First Day Hikes Cape Cod is an initiative designed to encourage people to get outdoors with free guided walks and activities to explore Cape Cod’s parks, trails, and natural resources. Nonprofit conservation organizations offering hikes include the Barnstable Land Trust, Brewster Conservation Trust, Chatham Conservation Foundation, Dennis Conservation Land Trust, 300 Committee Land Trust (Falmouth), Harwich Conservation Trust, Provincetown
Conservation Trust, and The Friends of Herring River (Wellfleet and Truro). To find out more, check the participating organizations websites or see the full schedule of events at www.blt.org.
About Barnstable Land Trust
Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) is a community-supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving open space and natural resources in the Town of Barnstable and nearby areas. BLT has protected 1,100 acres in the Town of Barnstable and supported the Town in conserving over 11,000 more. As a regional leader in collaborative land preservation and stewardship, community engagement, training, and advocacy, BLT also leverages its conservation expertise to inform local public decisions as they impact our ecosystems, community health, well-being, and quality of life. To learn more about BLT, visit the website at www.blt.org
or call 508-771-2585; to view their new Barnstable Trail Map representing over 34 hiking trails and almost 95 miles, click here.