Celebrate Our Waters, sponsored by the Orleans Pond Coalition (OPC), is an annual weekend of festivities to bring attention to protecting our fresh and salt waters. It is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 18 through Sunday, Sept. 20. This year’s theme is “our waters as artistic inspiration,” and Celebrate Our Waters will include a month-long photography exhibition in September, to celebrate the visual beauty of our waterscapes. We are soliciting entries to be considered for this photography exhibition. Specifics for submission of photographs are … [Read more...]

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Out of an abundance of caution the Orleans Health Department has issued a warning due to the presence of a potential algal bloom at Pilgrim Lake. It may be unsafe for people and pets, so please do not swim or play in the water at this time. People and pets who may have been exposed to any algal bloom are advised to rinse off as soon as possible. Additional information on cyanobacteria can be found here: The latest testing data for Orleans Ponds and Lakes: … [Read more...]

Saturday, September 13th, 10:00am, (map location #1) Centers for Culture and History in Orleans (CHO), 3 River Road, Orleans, MA 02653 NEW EVENT! Join us Saturday morning, September 13, 10:00 – 11:00 am at the Centers for Culture and History in Orleans (CHO) to learn about ongoing efforts to restore seagrasses in Pleasant Bay. Alyssa Novak, Ph.D., assistant professor of coastal ecology at Boston University will discuss her collaborative work on building eelgrass resilience to warming seawater. Seagrasses provide essential habitat for a … [Read more...]

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Friday, September 13th, 1:00 p.m. at 44 Main Street Keen-eyed watchers of developments in downtown Orleans are celebrating the installation of a new Public Art Sculpture “Ripple Effect” at the corner of Main St. and Brewster Cross Road.This hand-crafted bronze and etched black granite sculpture now occupies the circular space embedded in the brick sidewalk.“Ripple Effect, created by Dave Holbrook will be formally dedicated on Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. at an event sponsored by the Orleans Cultural District with a Reception following at Parish … [Read more...]

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Join us for a special program at the Snow Library, Orleans on Saturday, October 7th. Join the Orleans Pond Coalition and Education Coordinator and Naturalist Morgan Peck of Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Learn how microplastics are affecting our water resources and wildlife, including sea turtles and birds. Learn common sources of these microplastics and what you can do to help reduce these pollutants from entering our local waters Date:  Saturday, October 7th Time:  2:00 - 3:30 pm Location: … [Read more...]

John Dugan I am a retired anatomic pathologist and have been living full time in Orleans with my wife, Carol since Spring, 2020. Professionally, I worked at Lahey Clinic (now Beth Israel Lahey Health) in Burlington, MA for almost 34 years before retirement after completing residency and fellowship training at the University of Pennsylvania. I have 3 adult children who all live west of the Mississippi River, as well as 3 "grand-puppies." We chose to live in Orleans because of the natural beauty of Cape Cod and its waters, as well as for … [Read more...]

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Time to Register! Celebrate Our Waters - Sept 15-17, 2023 Registration for events with limited spaces now open for Members on August 29th, 10AM. This year we are offering advanced registration opportunities to OPC members a week prior to the general public. Mark your calendars for Celebrate Our Waters, OPC’s signature event of the year, now bigger and better than ever! We’re offering dozens of events around Orleans to celebrate the beauty of our environment and our waters. Events requiring registration: Arey’s Pond … [Read more...]

By the Orleans Health Department Public Health Advisory – Pilgrim Lake A Public Health Advisory remains in effect at Pilgrim Lake due to the presence of a potentially harmful algal bloom.  It may be unsafe for people and pets, so please do not swim or play in the water at this time.  If you come into contact with the water, rinse off.  No adverse reactions have been reported, however if you are concerned please contact your health care provider for guidance.  The Public Health Advisory will be withdrawn after … [Read more...]

Church of the Holy Spirit, 204 Monument Road, Orleans MA Sunday, September 15th, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., (Map location #19) Join Regenerative Agroecologist Peter Jensen and Holistic Nutritionist and Horticulturalist Lynn Van Norman, for a walk through the water runoff terraced gardens, terraces and swales to learn about the progression of change that led to the removal of locust and Norway maples to make way for a solar panel array.  Road, hill and solar panel runoff was threatening the vernal pool and wetlands below, … [Read more...]

Sunday, September 17th, 7:30am - 9:00am, (Map location #18) You will visit Mike’s Oyster Farm where you will learn about oyster life and our farming techniques. The oysters on the Orlean’s bay flats are raised from oyster “seed” from hatcheries and are kept in plastic mesh bags, placed in metal wire cages. These oysters are tossed around in their bags by the incoming and outgoing tides and are out of the water for 7 - 8 hours every 24-hour period, and we will visit them near low tide. You will see grown oysters which have been split … [Read more...]

What Can You Do? Snow Library, Orleans - Saturday, 1:00pm - 2:30pm, (Map location #14) Join Education Coordinator and Naturalist Morgan Peck of Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary to learn how plastics are affecting our aquatic ecosystems. Focusing on local examples, such as sea turtles and shorebirds, learn the how plastics enter our food webs, and what you can do to help reduce these pollutants from our habitats. … [Read more...]

Orleans Conservation Trust, 203 South Orleans Road, Saturday, 12:30pm - 1:30pm, (Map location #11) The Orleans Conservation Trust is undertaking a project to convert traditional lawn to native pollinator habitat at their office at 203 South Orleans Road, Orleans. Learn about the many decisions involved in such a project, including how to design a native garden, where to source native plants, and how to effectively terminate an existing lawn. We will discuss the resources that informed such decisions, and how OCT is going about this … [Read more...]

Friday, September 18, Sessions at 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm, 12 visitors per session. 20 Overland Way, Orleans, MA Pre-registration is required. Please no repeat guests. PLEASE ARRIVE ON TIME. ALL TOURS WILL START PROMPTLY AT THE SCHEDULED TIME. Join us for a tour of the Orleans Wastewater Treatment Facility. The tour includes a walk-through of the facility and the opportunity to ask any questions you have about current plans for Orleans wastewater management. The facility includes a multi-story administration building with … [Read more...]

To Celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we’ve created a new logo. We hope you enjoy it! Moreover, we hope you can join the Orleans Pond Coalition during this special 20th anniversary year by becoming a member, volunteering, participating in our events, and helping to spread the word by telling your friends. With your help, we will safeguard Orleans’s most precious resource: our waters. Orleans Blue Pages are being updated First issued in 2008, the Orleans Blue Pages was created to help everyone understand the Cape’s water cycles and to … [Read more...]

Orleans Pond Coalition Annual Meeting Recap and Thank You Annual Meeting Recap This past Sunday we celebrated our 19th annual meeting. Thank you to all the brave souls who ventured out last Sunday in the heavy rain. For those of you who were unable to attend, you missed a good one! So let’s recap. First, welcome to our new directors: Ginny Farber, Clint Kaiser and Rich Levy. Great additions to our Board of Directors! Second, we want to thank our outgoing directors Judith Bruce and Natalie Timoshin. Your contributions have been … [Read more...]

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE: Orleans Pond Coalition Annual Meeting October 23rd at 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. After two years of meeting remotely via zoom, we are delighted to announce this year’s annual meeting will be in person. Please join us to celebrate this year’s success’s and learn more about what’s going on at OPC. We are also fortunate to have the inventor of the technology we are using in our Oxygen Demonstration Research Program – Dr. Paul Gantzer as our keynote speaker. You will not want to miss this exciting review of this … [Read more...]

Upcoming Events and Activities SAVE the Date The Family Fun Tent, Beach Yoga, Tour d’Orleans, bird and nature walks and all varieties of water sports including paddleboarding, kayaking and sailing are back for another fun-filled weekend. This year the Paul Fulcher Memorial Bonfire on Saturday night will be celebrating Orleans’ many water volunteers. So all you herring counters, water samplers, members of Boards and Committees, come out to be recognized for your service. We will also have new events including a kayak paddle and walk … [Read more...]

We’re almost there! Let’s not lose momentum. Please vote Tuesday May17th Thank you to all OPC members who were able to attend last Monday’s Annual Town Meeting and vote yes for the 3 key wastewater articles. There is just one final step to get the job done. Please mark your calendar and vote yes on Tuesday for Ballot Question #2 – Fund Meetinghouse Pond Area Sewer Collection System Construction. A yes vote is needed for construction to be approved. Importantly, waiting will forfeit our favorable top of the list position to … [Read more...]

It's almost time for the Orleans Town Meeting May 9th - 6:00 p.m. - NRMS Gym In preparation for this community event the Orleans Pond Coalition would like to bring the following items to your attention. A Town Meeting review letter from Orleans Select Person, Andrea Reed Andrea Reed on Environmental Progress:…. ‘I strongly support (the articles for wastewater and budget question) and hope we pass.’ Wastewater Progress: Articles 18 & 19/Ballot Question 2 Article 18 Sewer Assessment General Bylaw defines how we measure, assess … [Read more...]

Connecting to Our Clean Water Future Dear Friends, As Phase I of the Orleans Wastewater Infrastructure Project nears completion later this year, we thought that the attached notice from Tom Daley, Director of the Orleans Department of Public Works and Natural Resources, would be of interest to our community, and particularly helpful to those who work and reside in the downtown area. It provides timely information and advice about when and how to arrange your connection to the first leg of the town’s advanced new wastewater system. Your … [Read more...]

Do You Love our Waters??? It’s Time to Dive In and Get Your Feet Wet We’re recruiting for multiple water-related volunteer activities. Make new friends, help watch over our waters, learn more about how your actions can make a difference to water quality. It’s fascinating…. And fun! Cyanobacteria Monitors. OPC in conjunction with APCC is monitoring Crystal and Pilgrim Lakes, Uncle Harvey’s, Icehouse, and (starting this year) Cedar Ponds. Help us track this threat to our ponds and provide safety warnings to humans and pets. For more … [Read more...]

Special Reports from OPC and APCC on two major Fresh Water programs in Orleans Your Voice is Needed to Help Secure Funds to Improve Water Quality on Cape Cod! You may have seen Legislation in the news this month outlining approval of a new bill called the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) providing Barnstable County with $41.3 million in grant federal funds. “Cape Cod has a tremendous opportunity to utilize (these) American Rescue Plan Act funds to make progress in key areas for our region, including protecting our water, investing in … [Read more...]

Saturday, September 19, 4:00 to 6:00pm 43 South Orleans Rd. - Route 28 Everyone is invited to join artists, friends and neighbors for the annual Celebrate our Waters art events. Saturday, September 19, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.The Addison Art Gallery, 43 South Orleans Road, Orleans will hold a reception offering casual opportunities to meet artists and learn about their inspirations and techniques.  As a special treat, Amy Sanders will be demonstrating pastel painting while Maryalice Eizenberg, Jonathan Earle and Andrea Petitto … [Read more...]

Sunday, September 20, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon Departure site will be communicated after registration Sipson Island is open to the public after being in private hands for 300 years! We’ll enjoy a tour of the island hosted by the Sipson Island Trust after a paddle through Pleasant Bay with Guide and kayaks provided by SUPfari Adventures. This tour is offered free of charge; we request a gratuity for our SUPfari Guide and please consider a donation to the Trust in support of their work “rewilding” and restoring the island, … [Read more...]

Side Stream Saturation comes to Orleans By: Eric Spengler, VP Orleans Pond Coalition The Orleans Pond Coalition announced this past week that it has successfully installed new equipment into Sarah’s Pond as part of its Oxygenation Demonstration Project.  ‘The new equipment we are exploring is based on technology called side stream saturation (SSS).  We’re excited about its potential,’ said past president Judith Bruce. ‘It’s so different from our earlier work. We’re now calling this phase II of our Oxygenation Project.’ OPC’s … [Read more...]

Carol and I paddled from Lonnie's Pond over to Pochet Island on Thursday and were surprised to see horseshoe crabs along the shoreline, mating. It was the day after the full moon at a high tide. There's a great chapter entitled "At a Horseshoe Crab Orgy" in William Sargent's classic: Shallow Waters: A Year on Cape Cod's Pleasant Bay. Anyway, here are a few of the pictures that I took. - Tim Counihan (5/9/2020) … [Read more...]

Sunday, September 20, 8:30-9:30 am Nauset Beach Parking Lot (north side) Start your day with Dawn Spunzo of Orleans Yoga and enjoy early morning yoga on Nauset Beach. Replenish and recuperate after a busy summer and make the transition from the fiery energy of summer to an introspective fall with grace and ease. Geared for everyone, from the total novice to the experienced practitioner. Bring a towel or two and water. No yoga mat needed. Meet at the north side of the Nauset Beach parking lot (near the entrance). Please arrive 15 … [Read more...]

Saturday 4-6 at Addison Art Gallery (1) Come meet Cape Cod nature author, essayist and radio commentator, Robert Finch who will be signing copies of his books, including his latest book released this summer, The Outer Beach: A Thousand-Mile Walk on Cape Cod's Atlantic Shore, apoignant, candid chronicle of a beloved nature writer’s fifty-year relationship with an iconic American landscape. Those who have encountered Cape Cod – or merely dipped into an account of its rich history – know that it is a singular place. Robert Finch writes … [Read more...]

Saturday 4-6 at Addison Art Gallery (1) Amy Sanders will demonstrate building depth and luminosity with pastel as she works towards bringing a painting to life through multiple layers. Pastel particles retain their individuality within layers. If carefully layered using strokes in a variety of colors, weights and direction, light bounces among the particles creating a unique radiance. Questions and comments from audience member of all ages will be encouraged and add to the event. The soft pastel medium can trace its roots back to … [Read more...]

Sunday 12-1:30 at  Goose Hummock Docks Led by members of the Goose Hummock staff, begin with a 30 minute lesson followed by a 90 minute paddle around scenic Town Cove, weather permitting. Paddleboarding offers a different and fun way to get out on the water and experience paddling this gorgeous area. This tour is best suited for people 15 years of age and over, and a guardian is required to accompany all minors. Warm dress is recommended, as it is likely that participants will get wet while on the tour. Paddleboarding is a full-body workout, … [Read more...]

Saturday and Sunday 11-2 at Goose Hummock Docks Led by members of the Goose Hummock Outdoor staff. Kayaks supplied by Goose Hummock. Our guides will lead you through Nauset Salt Marsh Estuary located within the Cape Cod National Seashore, replete with winding creeks and coves. It is home to a wide array of marine and avian species and offers amazing wildlife viewing. This tour is slightly more demanding than our Town Cove Tour and is recommended for conditioned paddlers with prior kayaking experience. Age 15 and up with minors accompanied by … [Read more...]