Happy Holidays

Have you been missing concerts at the Grange Hall?

If so, come to the benefit on Saturday night. 

Please call for reservations. 

It is also PIE NIGHT! 

Photos from SCT Annual Meeting

Our guest speaker, Peter Trull, provided a well informed talk on the impact of seals, sharks and fishing in the northeast. He shares the perspectives of both fishermen and scientists in his talk and showed us eye opening photos on the subject.

Thanks to all of the businesses who let us advertise the meeting and a big shout out to the Riverview Cafe of E. Sandwich. The Riverview Cafe graciously donated a gift certificate for our meeting. The certificate was taped beneath a seat and the lucky winner was looking forward to breakfast or lunch in the near future.

SCT President John Cullity discusses SCT business.

Bob O'Connor (SCT Trustee) and John Cullity (SCT President)

Bob O'Connor asks guests to check beneath their
seats for a gift certificate to the Riverview Cafe.

Members and guests at the 2017 SCT Annual Meeting

Peter Trull, guest speaker.

Display of SCT properties.

A selection of books by Peter Trull.

Peter Trull autographing a book.

Peter Trull showing his book to guests.

Peter Trull speaks with guests.

Guests enjoy the property after the talk.

SCT Meeting Today at 2 p.m.

The SCT hopes to see you at our annual meeting today.

Our featured guest speaker is Peter Trull. Peter is an educator, author, photographer and wildlife specialist, who will present “The Gray Curtain – The Impact of Seals, Sharks and Commercial Fishing along the Northeast Coast.”

Photo credit:  Peter Trull

WHEN:  2 p.m. TODAY, Sunday, October 15

LOCATION: E. Sandwich Grange Hall, 91 Old County Rd., E. Sandwich

Dr. Shirley Cross

If you haven't read the Broadsider this week, I encourage you to read the story about Dr. Shirley Cross. A box of her botanical drawings were recently discovered and are currently on exhibit at the Green Briar Nature Center.  Shirley Cross is the namesake of Shirley's Woods, a gifted parcel to the Sandwich Conservation Trust.

Dr. Shirley Cross
Photo credit:  Gary Higgins, The Patriot Ledger

Make sure to watch the video of Shirley at the end of the article. 

http://sandwich.wickedlocal.com/blogs/20171005/how-gene-schott-found-shirley-cross-botanical-drawings-at-green-briar-nature-center

SCT Annual Meeting - Sunday, October 15

On Sunday, October 15, 2017 at 2:00 PM the Sandwich Conservation Trust will hold its Annual Meeting with guest speaker Peter Trull, educator, author, photographer and wildlife specialist, who will present “The Gray Curtain – The Impact of Seals, Sharks and Commercial Fishing along the Northeast Coast.” 

This timely program will show, through discussion and vivid photographs, the relationship between commercial fishing, expanding Gray Seal populations, and the occurrence of Great White Sharks along the beaches of Cape Cod and the northeast coast. This "Gray Curtain" has come about after geologic and environmental changes, range expansion of marine mammals, animal migrations and population increases. Each has had an effect on the lives and attitudes of commercial fishermen and Cape residents, and through daily and seasonal changes, some are now accepted as normal. While looking at the history of commercial fishing we realize that there are great transformations taking place that have, and still may, go unnoticed, some unexplained. While fishermen and scientists don't always agree, both have played a role in these dynamic coastal changes. In the minds of many commercial fishermen, the Gray Seal has played a major part. Now, a new charismatic, apex predator has entered the picture and has made its presence known: the Great White Shark. This enlightening, colorful and lively program brings together the main factors that have created the phenomenon of The Gray Curtain.

Over the course of forty years of studying, researching and teaching about wildlife and the environment, Peter Trull has written six books about Cape Cod’s natural history, with a seventh, “The Life of Terns – Birds of Paradox,” just completed. He has been Education Director at both the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies. Peter presently teaches 7th Grade Science at the Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School in Harwich, MA and holds a Masters Degree in Education.

The meeting will take place at the East Sandwich Grange Hall, 91 Old County Road, East Sandwich, MA. The meeting is open to the public and all are cordially invited to attend. Donations are gratefully accepted to help defray costs for the hall rental and the speaker.

SCT Preserve Maintenance Appeal

P.O. Box 531, East Sandwich, MA 02537

(508) 888-7629 www.sandwichconservationtrust.org

SCT PRESERVE MAINTENANCE APPEAL 

September, 2017

Dear Members and Friends,

Early fall greetings to you, and I hope that within your busy lifestyle you’ve had a chance
to spend some quality time outdoors in Nature, whether in your backyard, or in one of the many great conservation lands in Sandwich. Walking or quiet contemplation in the woods or marsh edge can be a wonderful antidote to many ills! The Sandwich Conservation Trust does its best to preserve and maintain natural areas for you to enjoy.

For this particular letter, the word “maintain” serves as a theme. In the earlier part of our 32 year existence, it may be that “acquisition” was our predominant theme – we wanted to fulfill our purpose of acquiring and preserving land, and we have been reasonably successful – we own 23 parcels totaling 84 acres and hold eight conservation restrictions on privately owned pieces totaling 140 acres - 224 acres of protected land in Sandwich.

Among our holdings are four upland preserves with parking areas and trail systems: Joe’s Woods (Roos Rd.), Elinor’s Woods (Plowed Neck Rd.), Toolas Preserve (Great Island Rd.), and the Osborne-Sherman Conservation Lands (Gully Lane). The last two feature beautiful fields. The Maruca and Ray conservation restrictions are accessible for public use and have extensive trails. I’m sure you can see where I’m going – to keep these fields and trail systems accessible and useful for public enjoyment and recreation we need to maintain them with hand and power tools, tractor and chainsaw.

We are fortunate to have a few volunteers, but members of our Board of Trustees handle much of the trimming and mowing, and occasionally we hire a contractor to help us out when we lack the manpower. The summer of 2017 has been lovely, but the abundant rains seem to have doubled the amount of maintenance needed.

In 2016 the SCT held a special appeal for improvements at the Osborne-Sherman preserve, and you helped us! 42 donors sent over $4000, and we got the work done. With this letter, I’m asking if you can help us again, with the specific goal of maintaining our preserves. We are asking for two kinds of help: financial, for those times when we have to hire a tractor, and, if you can do it, your time with hand tools. Walking a trail with loppers makes a big difference, and it’s not heavy work.

We want to build a group of volunteers who could be called upon once or twice a year for some special project. We have such a list started, but we are finding that people are busy and can’t always respond, therefore we want to increase the numbers of volunteers we can call upon.

Would you please consider helping the SCT maintain its publicly accessible preserves by sending a tax- deductible donation? Could you volunteer to help with trail maintenance?

A return envelope is provided with this mailing. If you wish to volunteer please call vice president Joe Queenan at (508) 833-0861. Thank you!

Sincerely,
John N. Cullity President 

SCT Video

Check out this short video describing who we are and what we do.  Just click on the link below.

Thank you to Manx Taiki Magyar from Sandwich Community TV for creating this for us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng4ICS-EXRM

SAVE THE DATE

SCT News Flash – Upcoming Event – Save the Date

Each year at our annual meeting the Sandwich Conservation Trust invites a guest speaker to address conservation-related issues.  This year we will be having our annual meeting at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 15 in the East Sandwich Grange Hall, 91 Old County Road, East Sandwich, MA.  We are very excited this year to welcome Peter Trull as our guest speaker.  Science Teacher, Author, Photographer, Wildlife Specialist,  Peter Trull has studied, researched, and taught about wildlife on Cape Cod for over thirty years. He has written five books on various subjects, including Eastern coyotes, humpback whales, and local birds.

Peter will be presenting “The Gray Curtain – The Impact of Seals, Sharks and Commercial Fishing along the Northeast Coast.

 This program will show, through discussion and vivid photographs, the relationship between commercial fishing, expanding Gray Seal populations and Great White Sharks along the beaches of Cape Cod and the northeast coast. This "Gray Curtain" has come about after geologic and environmental changes, as well as animal migrations and population increases.  Each has had an effect on the location and, though daily and seasonal changes are accepted as normal, there are great transformations taking place that may go unnoticed, some, unexplained. While fishermen and scientists don't always agree, both have played a role in these dynamic coastal changes. In the minds of many commercial fishermen, the Gray Seal has played a major part.  Now, a new charismatic, apex predator has entered the picture and has made its presence known: the Great White Shark. This lively and colorful program brings together and explains the main factors that have created the phenomenon of The Gray Curtain.

On behalf of the SCT Trustees, we hope you and yours will save the date and join us at the Annual Meeting of The Sandwich Conservation Trust, again – Sunday, October 15 in the East Sandwich Grange Hall.

More to follow as we get closer to the event.

9th Annual Sandwichfest

The SCT will have a tent at the 

9th Annual Sandwichfest!

Please stop by to say hi, learn what we do, become a member, etc... 

We'd love to meet YOU.

When:  Saturday, June 24

             10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

             Rain or Shine

Where:  Water St. (Route 130, along Shawme Pond), Sandwich

The street fair is free.  There will be a pet parade, many vendors, local non-profits and a beer garden.  How can you go wrong?  

The tickets for sampling Sandwich's sandwiches are $20.  Don't miss out on the opportunity to not only taste, but to vote on Sandwich's best sandwich.  

Check out the video from the Chamber of Commerce:

http://www.sandwichchamber.com/sandwichfest

Property Gift

The Sandwich Conservation Trust is pleased to announce the donation of barrier beach property by Susan and Arthur Doyle. The former cranberry bog, containing 1/3^rd of an acre, is situated at the northeast corner of the Spring Hill diked meadow located at 24 Inner Marsh Lane in East Sandwich.  

Thank you to Mark Robinson of the The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, Inc. for facilitating the transaction, the maps, and photo of the Doyle's with SCT President, John Cullity.

Susan Doyle, John Cullity, and Arthur Doyle

Map of 24 Inner Marsh Lane, E. Sandwich, MA

Land cover map of property at 

24 Inner Marsh Lane, E. Sandwich, MA

Aerial map of 24 Inner Marsh Lane, E. Sandwich, MA

Earth Day

April 22 represents Earth Day 2017

Image credit:  Quinebaug Valley Comm. College

What can you do?  

This list is a start but the possibilities are endless:

• utilize reusable water bottles

• recycle (plastics, paper based items, cans, glass, metals, etc.)

• plant a tree

• prepare meals with locally sourced ingredients

• plant a vegetable garden

• clean up trash in your neighborhood

• ride your bike or walk instead of driving

• plant wildflowers which attract bees and butterflies

• compost your coffee grounds, eggshells and produce remnants

• bring reusable bags to the store with you

• sell or donate items you no longer want

• make an effort to conserve water and electricity

Image credit:  Quinebaug Valley Comm. College

Clippers and Loppers

Good morning SCT friends, 

We hope to see some of you today at 9 a.m. at Elinor's Woods, 47 Ploughed Neck Rd. for a spring work party. Just think how much nicer it will be not having vines grabbing at you when you walk the trail. 

Don't forget: 

• tick protection 
• water bottle 
• clippers, loppers, etc.

Hello my name is Possum

Read on for some interesting facts that most of us are not aware of ...

Source:  Possum Awareness & Advocacy Facebook Page

Pink Moon

Pink Moon, Sprouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon, Fish Moon, however you choose to call it, is happening tonight, Tuesday, April 11. You’ll have to put on your rose colored glasses if you want to see this moon in pink though. This full moon, the first one of spring, gets its pink name because it generally coincides with the blooming of ground phlox, a flowering plant that is also known as moss pink.

Moonrise is at 7:51.  Go out and enjoy.

Phlox subulata or moss pink.

Sandwich Conservation Trust Work Party

The Trustees of The Sandwich Conservation Trust are planning to conduct a Spring Work Party to tidy up and improve at least two of our conservation sites and some of their walking trails on Saturday, April 22, 2017, beginning at 9 a.m.   We need volunteer help.  We will meet at entrance to Elinor’s Woods, 49 Ploughed Neck Road, East Sandwich.

Most of the work consists of cutting back grass and brambles overgrowing the trail’s edges.  It’s basically woodland management and path work. The ground is damp and uneven in places.  Working out in the elements requires the right apparel. Long pants and sturdy shoes, that can afford to get muddy, are necessary. Tick prevention is also necessary.

Unfortunately the Trust does not have any of the necessary tools for this project and we are asking, if you can volunteer, to also please bring your own tools.  We suggest hand equipment such as gloves, pruning shears, pruning saws and loppers.  

Bring a full water bottle.  We will have water jugs on hand for refills.

Please contact joe.queenan@comcast.net for additional information.

Have you heard?

HAVE YOU HEARD?

The peepers are peeping!

Follow the link below to learn some fun facts about spring peepers:

http://farmersalmanac.com/home-garden/2016/03/21/facts-about-spring-peepers/

Getting Fresh Air

It may be chilly outside but the sun is out and it's a good day to take a walk on our trails.

Why not check out:

Elinor's Woods: 49 Poughed Neck Rd.


Joe's Woods: 51 Roos Rd.


Shirley's Woods: 14 Spring Hill Rd.


Osborne-Sherman Preserve: 15 Gully Lane


or the Toolas Preserve: Great Island Rd.

Happy New Year

Happy 2017 to you all from the Sandwich Conservation Trust. 

We hope to see you participate in our Take A Hike walks, 

consider a membership with us, 

or perhaps donate or put your property in trust with us.