Mar 17: Cape-based PFAS testing, chatting with Seth Rolbein, events & activities
Date correction -- Climate change and mental health event is tomorrow, March 18 (not March 28) Note: Cape-focused edition & change in publishing schedule
Note from me:
My apologies for not sending a newsletter out last Friday; I have had an unexpected change in my schedule. Going forward, I’m going to figure out a new publication routine that works for my new schedule, still shares good local climate coverage, and doesn’t overburden us with all the bad news coming out of Washington, DC.
Which is a great segue to a virtual event tomorrow evening, March 18, put on by Sierra Club, Cape and Islands Group — Climate change and mental health, building resilience.
NOTE: The table of contents items below are linked to the articles, but this feature only works if you are reading the post in Substack while logged in - apologies for the inconvenience.
In this issue:
Cape & Islands
Forever chemicals (PFAS) analysis is not available at a Cape Cod lab (WCAI)
Crowd gathers in Woods Hole to “Stand up for Science” (Falmouth Enterprise)
Managing the Cape’s waste water — an update from Sandwich (Sandwich Enterprise)
WOMR’s Cape Climate podcast
Events and Activities
Mar 19, Virtual — Woodwell Climate Research Center, Navigating Federal Policy
Mar 25, in person — Climate Change: What Homeowners Should Know & What They Can Do
Conservation calendar — great hikes, talks, and activities across the Cape
Cape & Islands
Barnstable County Water Quality Laboratory chemist Andrew Barker stands next to the lab's new, state-of-the-art equipment for PFAS analysis. It's called a liquid chromatography mass spectrometer, and Barker calls it "the Ferrari of instruments." Barker was a critical part of the lab's certification process, according to a county spokesperson. If you submit a sample to the county lab for PFAS analysis, Barker is the one who will analyze it.
PFAS analysis now available at Cape Cod lab
CAI, By Gilda Geist, March 10
The state recently certified the Barnstable County Water Quality Laboratory to test drinking water for the presence of PFAS, a group of chemicals that have been linked to serious health impacts. Full story.
Crowd Gathers In Woods Hole To 'Stand Up For Science'
Falmouth Enterprise, by Gene M. Marchand
Supporters of science and scientists gathered at a public “Stand Up for Science 2025 ” rally at Waterfront Park in Woods Hole on Friday. The Woods Hole event coincided with rallies in Washington DC, Chicago, New York and more than 28 other cities across the United States, with a goal to defend science as a public good and pillar of social, political, and economic progress. More photos.
Managing the Cape’s Wastewater — Sandwich Finance Committee receives update
Enterprise, by Talyor Fruzzetti, March 6, 2025
The finance committee got an update on wastewater efforts during its meeting on Tuesday, March 3.
Sandwich, along with neighboring towns, has been trying to address wastewater infrastructure needs by connecting to Joint Base Cape Cod’s wastewater infrastructure system. However, obtaining a state and federal permit for treated effluent disposal has been the biggest hurdle in the process.
During a select board meeting last month, Town Manager George H. (Bud) Dunham said that if the town does not receive a clear answer regarding whether the town could tie into Joint Base Cape Cod’s wastewater treatment facility in the next year or two, the town will need to “fend for themselves.” Full story.
Seth Rolbein on Jimmy Carter, conspiracy theories, and why we can’t get to good climate policies
Listen to a lively conversation with Seth Rolbein about changes he’s seen in the waters off the Cape, why it’s tough for fishermen to trust scientists, and some of the challenges to making good policies to protect our oceans.
Seth is a widely recognized Cape Cod journalist and policy maker. Currently, Seth is the Senior Outreach and Policy Advisor for the Cape Cod Commericial Fisherman’s Alliance, and the author of a weekly column, The Cape Cod Voice. Seth has been a writer, reporter and documentary filmmaker for WBGH-TV, editor-in-chief for a regional newspaper, and written for regional and national publications.
⏺️Listen here.
Activities and Events
Mar 18, virtual — Sierra Club’s Cape Cod & Islands Group “Third Tuesday” Talk: Climate Change & Mental Health, Building Resilience
Featuring Dr. James McKowen, clinical psychologist and professor at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Register here.
📅March 18, 7:00 - 8:00 pm 🗺️📌On zoom
Mar 19, Virtual — Woodwell Climate Research Center, Navigating Federal Policy
Join Woodwell Climate Research Center for a webinar on federal policy impacting climate science and research. Learn how Woodwell is continuing to leverage our research and engaging federal policymakers to protect and promote programs and investments vital to climate adaptation and mitigation.
Register here.
📅March 19, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm 🗺️📌On zoom
Mar 25, in person — Climate Change: What Homeowners Should Know & What They Can Do
Hosted by the Orleans and Harwich Climate Action Networks, the Eastham Climate Action Committee
Cape Cod, jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, faces significant threats from climate change, but there are solutions, and you can be part of them.
Join Shelly McComb, Coastal Resilience Specialist for Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Sea Grant, to explore local and global coastal challenges. Shelly, with a background in environmental and sustainability studies, works directly on coastal resilience planning and will share practical strategies for strengthening our communities.
More information here.
📅March 25, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm 🗺️📌Snow Library, Orleans
From APCC: Still need volunteers for 2025 River Herring Count, especially in Falmouth, Sandwich, Yarmouth
A reminder that volunteers are urgently needed for the 2025 river herring count at multiple runs across Cape Cod. Locations include Brewster, Barnstable, Dennis, Falmouth, Mashpee, Orleans, Sandwich, and Yarmouth. These counts provide critical data to help protect keystone fish species and assess habitat restoration needs.
Volunteers must be able to travel to their assigned site, navigate uneven terrain, and visually identify fish. Each count takes just 10 minutes and occurs several times a week from April 1 to June 15. This is a great opportunity to support local conservation efforts with a minimal time commitment!
Those interested can sign up now through APCC’s River Herring Volunteer Signup and attend a training sessions in March. More details are available on the Herring Hub website.
Sign up to volunteer as a herring counter here.
APCC: Pond Volunteer opportunities opening soon!
Save the date: zoom training on March 18 at 6 p.m.
Apply to voluteer as a pond monitor here.
ICYMI — Sierra Club, Cape & Islands: Marine Debris, Plastic Foam Collection & Pollution Prevention
Featuring Laura Ludwig, director of the Marine Debris & Plastics Program at the Center for Coastal Studies. 🎦Watch video here.
Wildlife photography, learn about coyotes, and lots of walks — Check out the Cape Cod Conservation Calender HERE
Powered by the “Communications Cohort,” co-led by the Barnstable Land Trust and APCC.