Earth Month on Cape Cod: How Barnstable County Is Caring for Our Environment
Each April, Earth Day reminds us of the importance of protecting the environment—but here on Cape Cod, that work is happening every day.
Barnstable County plays a central role in protecting the region’s natural resources through programs that safeguard our water, support residents, and strengthen environmental stewardship across all 15 towns. From safe waste disposal and hands-on education to volunteer opportunities that directly support local ecosystems, there are many ways to get involved this Earth Month.
What Barnstable County Offers This April
Cape Cod Canal Clean-Up
25th Annual Cape Cod Canal Clean-Up
April 25, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Herring Run Recreation Area
Hosted by AmeriCorps Cape Cod (a Barnstable County program) in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this annual event brings volunteers together to remove hundreds of pounds of trash from one of the region’s most important waterways.
Each year, volunteers help protect marine life, improve water quality, and preserve one of Cape Cod’s most iconic landscapes.
Why participate?
Because what you remove that day doesn’t end up in the ocean. This is one of the most direct, visible ways to make an immediate impact.
Register:
https://barnstablecounty.formstack.com/forms/2026_canalcleanup_registration
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collections Across Cape Cod
Barnstable County’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program operates regionally across all 15 towns, with collections taking place from April through October.
These events provide residents with a safe way to dispose of products that should not go in the trash or down the drain—helping to protect Cape Cod’s drinking water and sole-source aquifer.
April HHW Collection Opportunity
Regional Collection:
April 18, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sandwich High School
(Serving Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich, and Joint Base Cape Cod)
If you live in one of these communities, this is an opportunity to take a simple but meaningful step to help protect Cape Cod’s environment.
Why participate?
Because many common household products contain chemicals that can contaminate groundwater if disposed of improperly. Bringing them to an HHW collection keeps those pollutants out of our drinking water.
Horticulture Clinic – Free Gardening & Plant Care Support
Barnstable County’s Master Gardeners provide free support to help residents maintain healthy landscapes and make environmentally sound choices.
Services include:
- Plant disease diagnosis
- Plant identification
- Free soil pH testing
Clinic Hours (April–September):
Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (508) 375-6700
Why participate?
Because healthy plants and proper soil care reduce the need for excess fertilizers and chemicals—helping protect local water quality while improving your own landscape.
Volunteer: Help Count River Herring This Spring
Each spring, thousands of river herring return to Cape Cod rivers to spawn—an important natural event that signals the health of our coastal ecosystem.
Across Barnstable County, trained volunteers stand along riverbanks and count herring as they swim upstream. Using a simple handheld clicker, volunteers conduct short, 10-minute observations that help scientists estimate how many fish are returning each year.
Why Participate?
River herring are a key part of the Cape Cod ecosystem, serving as food for birds, larger fish, and marine mammals. Monitoring their migration helps scientists understand population trends and identify where restoration efforts are needed.
The data collected by volunteers is submitted to the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and used to guide decisions about habitat protection and river restoration.
A Program Powered by Volunteers
- More than 200 trained volunteers participated in 2025
- Volunteers contributed 1,800 hours of monitoring
- More than 3,500 observations were completed
- Monitoring took place across 20 herring runs in 11 towns
Some locations still need additional coverage, including high-priority sites like the Mashpee River.
Supported by Barnstable County
The program is supported by Barnstable County’s Cape Cod Cooperative Extension through the River Herring Network in partnership with regional organizations.
Get Involved
Volunteering is simple, flexible, and a great way to spend time outdoors while contributing to a meaningful community science effort.
Training is provided.
Sign up to volunteer:
https://apcc.org/our-work/science/community-science/herring/herring-monitor-volunteer-sign-up/
https://bcleanwater.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Earth Day Events Across Cape Cod
Event details are subject to change. Please check with organizers to confirm dates, times, and locations before attending.
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe: Honor the Earth Fair
Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
483 Great Neck Road South, Mashpee, MA
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, in partnership with the Native Land Conservancy and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Natural Resources Department, invites the community to attend the 2026 Honor the Earth Fair.
This free, public event celebrates the Earth and brings together exhibitors, artists, educators, and community members who share a commitment to protecting and preserving the ancestral homelands of the Wampanoag people.
The day will open with an Opening Ceremony led by Chief Earl Mills Jr., followed by a variety of activities for all ages.
This is a meaningful opportunity to learn, connect, and experience Indigenous stewardship of the land—while enjoying culture, food, and community.
Learn more:
https://www.nativelandconservancy.org/events/honor-the-earth-fair-1
Chatham Earth Week
April 18–26, 2026 | Chatham
https://www.chathamconservationfoundation.org/earthweek
Eco-Restoration Tours
Multiple Dates | 9:00–10:00 AM | Harwich
https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/_zS36WcLsJUFTnUuRcYORA
Eastham Celebrates Earth Day
April 22, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Eastham
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/yu3cajr
Earth Day Beach Cleanup – Woods End
April 22, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Provincetown
https://coastalstudies.org/event/earth-day-beach-cleanup/
Beautify Brewster
April 25, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Brewster
https://keepmassbeautiful.org/news-events/events-calendar.html/event/2026/04/25/beautify-brewster-/555892
Yarmouth Community Cleanup Day
April 25, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Yarmouth Town Hall
https://keepmassbeautiful.org/news-events/events-calendar.html/event/2026/04/25/yarmouth-community-cleanup-day-/558910
Make an Impact This April
Whether you’re disposing of hazardous waste, volunteering your time, or joining a local clean-up, your actions directly protect Cape Cod’s water, wildlife, and communities.
Small steps—taken together—make a measurable difference.
