Barnstable County Leads the Way in Tick Safety with “Tick Talk” Pop-Up Education Series
This summer, Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment is taking the lead on tick-borne disease prevention through its innovative Tick Talk: Pop-Up Education Series.
Led by the County’s Public Health Shared Services Division, this initiative brings expert tick safety education directly into our communities—popping up at farmers’ markets, libraries, conservation areas, and trailheads throughout Cape Cod. By leveraging regional collaboration and shared resources, the program equips residents and visitors with practical guidance and tools to stay safe while enjoying the outdoors.
At each event, Community Health Educator Marina Tonial and Seasonal Public Health Assistants Heather Holbrook, Jason Adamsky, and Orla Delaney engage with residents and visitors—offering prevention tips, demonstrating effective tick checks, and connecting the public with tick testing services and protective items like bug spray.
“Our goal is simple: help people enjoy Cape Cod’s outdoors without the worry of tick-borne illness,” said Marina Tonial. “By being out in the community, we can provide real-time, practical guidance that keeps residents, families, and their pets safe.”
Recent events, like the well-attended event at the Eastham Farmers Market, highlight how this county-led approach is making an impact. Through strong partnerships supported by the Public Health Excellence grant, Barnstable County collaborates with the 12 participating Cape Cod towns— Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, and Yarmouth—to deliver innovative, community-focused public health education that benefits residents and visitors throughout the region.
The County is bringing Tick Talk pop-ups all across Cape Cod throughout the summer. Check out the list below for upcoming dates or visit: capecod.gov/departments/health-environment/calendar
- 8/7: The 204 Market (Harwich), 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- 8/8: Eastham Farmer’s Market, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
- 8/13: Brewster Ladies’ Library, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- 8/15: Brooks Free Library, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
- 8/21: The 204 Market (Harwich), 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- 8/22: Kent’s Point Trail, Orleans, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- 8/25: Lee Baldwin Trail, Brewster, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- + More coming soon!
