#FirstDayHikesCapeCod Spans from Provincetown to Wareham

Innovative regional collaboration grows to 15 organizations and 18 free events

Barnstable, MA (December 11, 2023) First Day Hikes Cape Cod is a unique one-day regional celebration that will be held on Monday, January 1st featuring 18 free special walks, talks, and hikes across Cape Cod. There will be a range of opportunities for families, children, residents, and visitors to explore nature and celebrate the new year. Spearheaded by Barnstable Land Trust, this unique collaboration representing 15 conservation groups across Cape Cod from Provincetown to Wareham is the only regional celebration of its kind in the nation.

Several sunrise walks (in Harwich, Dennis, and Barnstable) kick-off the festivities early in the day.  Later in the morning, walking programs explore historic farmland trails, river restoration projects, herring runs, old cranberry bogs, lichens in a beech forest, and a turtle sanctuary. Afternoon programs spotlight a hilly hike along a glacial moraine, a wildlife sanctuary walk with scenic views of Buzzards Bay, a Native Land Conservancy river walk that includes an indigenous perspective of the land, multiple walks in Falmouth’s Beebe Woods, and a new trailhead hike at the recently preserved Portanimicut Greenbelt.  The day also includes open houses where the public can help launch two new geocaching sites (including one that is handicap accessible), enjoy a campfire s’more station, and share their hopes for the new year on a uniquely crafted wishing tree representing ten different types of wood.

Inspired by the national state park program originally created in Massachusetts, this unique regional collaboration started three years ago with eight nonprofit groups offering eleven programs.  This year, many organizations are offering multiple times and programs to accommodate last year’s overwhelming success when hundreds of people participated.

 “We are excited about this year’s dramatic growth and expansion of First Day Hikes Cape Cod, a regional collaborative effort that we launched in 2022 to encourage more people to get outdoors,” said Janet Milkman, Executive Director of Barnstable Land Trust. “The celebration has quickly become a beloved Cape Cod tradition. People of all ages and abilities can explore Cape Cod’s parks, trails, and natural resources and appreciate how the efforts of the conservation community are protecting and conserving the natural places that make Cape Cod so special.” 

A full schedule is featured here and social media channels. Please check individual websites for specific event details concerning registration, weather cancellation policies, and any changes to specific events.

WHAT:  First Day Hikes Cape Cod 2024

WHEN:  Monday, January 1, 2024  6:45 am – 3 pm

WHAT:  A unique one-day regional celebration featuring 18 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 represents 15 conservation groups at multiple locations across Cape Cod and is the only regional celebration of its kind in the nation.

WHERE:  Communities across Cape Cod, from Provincetown to Wareham

COST:  FREE

ONLINE:  https://blt.org/firstdayhikescapecod

 FULL SCHEDULE LINK:   https://blt.org/firstdayhikescapecod (schedule details to be available in early December.)

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About First Day Hikes Cape Cod

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. Now in its third year, participating nonprofit conservation organizations include the Barnstable Land Trust, Brewster Conservation Trust, Chatham Conservation Foundation, Dennis Conservation Land Trust, 300 Committee Land Trust (Falmouth), the Friends of Bass River, the Friends of Herring River (Wellfleet/Truro), Harwich Conservation Trust, Native Land Conservancy, Orenda Wildlife Land Trust, Orleans Conservation Trust, Provincetown Conservation Trust, Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries, Wareham Land Trust, and the Wellfleet Conservation Trust.  To find out more, check www.blt.org/firstdayhikescapecod.

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 nearly 1,200 acres in the Town of Barnstable and supported the Town in conserving over 11,000 more.  Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2023, BLT is 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 or access one of its three popular trail map guides (Barnstable Trail Guide – English and Portuguese versions, Cape Cod Pathways/Barnstable Trail Guide, and Eagle Pond & Little River Sanctuary Trail Guide), visit http://www.BLT.org  or call 508-771-2585.