Focus Areas

Natural Resource Management

AmeriCorps Cape Cod efforts in natural resource management include shellfish propagation, herring run clearing, heathland restoration, wildland fuels reduction, invasive plant species removal, trail building and restoration, sand dune restoration, and community garden maintenance. AmeriCorps implements natural resource management projects in the 15 towns of Cape Cod through partnerships with municipal shellfish offices, conservation and natural resource departments, nonprofit land trusts, the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, and federal entities such as the Cape Cod National Seashore and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Disaster Preparedness and Response

AmeriCorps Cape Cod partners with disaster response organizations like the Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee (BC REPC) and the American Red Cross to prepare for natural disasters (hurricanes, winter storms, Nor’easters) and their impacts (widespread power outages, fires, etc.). During large-scale emergency events, AmeriCorps Cape Cod members assist with the response by staffing regional shelters across the Cape.

AmeriCorps Cape Cod members also assist organizations that respond to animals in crises. Through our partnerships with the National Marine Life Center (NMLC), International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), and MA Audubon Wellfleet Bay, members routinely respond to marine mammal (cetaceans and pinnipeds) and ocean sunfish (Mola mola) strandings and have monitored beaches for cold-stunned sea turtles.

Environmental Education

AmeriCorps Cape Cod members educate the public on pressing environmental topics including recycling, water quality, and land preservation to promote learning and exploration of the issues unique to Cape Cod. This can be through their Individual Placements or at group service projects. The largest of these educational events is “WET Fest,” an extensive curriculum for school children (kindergarten to 5th grade) where members present interactive stations about Cape Cod’s water quality issues and sole source aquifer. Additionally, many members educate at their Individual Placements by creating informational materials, putting on AmeriCorps Cape Cod’s signature “Green Ribbon Puppet Show,” or presenting to community partners about the work done at their placement.

Community Outreach & Volunteer Programs

AmeriCorps Cape Cod members plan, serve at, and host community and Signature Events with regional partners as a way to gather people to serve around Cape Cod. Notable events are Brewster Conservation Day, Harwich’s Tour de Trash, and Dennis Conservation Celebration. AmeriCorps Cape Cod members also provide capacity building for local municipalities and nonprofits by assisting with volunteer recruitment and retention programs. This includes finding new ways to build relationships with community members and provide opportunities for volunteers to serve.