Bird Banding and Research on South Monomoy
with James Junda
Monomoy has long been a draw for birds and birders alike. Every fall James Junda spends 76 days living in the 170-year-old lighthouse keepers' quarters and endeavors to survey some of the millions of migrating birds. Over the last 11 years, he has captured over 100 species of songbirds including some of the rarest birds in the state. Learn about why Monomoy is so special, how he monitors the birds, what he has seen, and how he lives on the island.
James Junda has been studying birds for 20 years but watching them his whole life. His journey started during summers with his grandparents at Schoolhouse Pond in Chatham and has taken him to five continents documenting birds. He has been operating songbird banding stations at Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary and around the lighthouse on Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge since 2011.
The Chatham Conservation Foundation presents free online lectures during the winter months when the weather limits participation in trail walks. The webinars feature noted conservationists and naturalists speaking on topics related to Chatham and the Cape. The webinars are presented as a community service thanks to the generosity of CCF members and donors.
Please enjoy selected recorded lectures listed below!
Note: All content is the intellectual property of the presenter and CCF.
Southern Pine Beetles
with Sara Abbitt
Sara Abbitt, AmeriCorps Member, has been researching the spread of the Southern Pine Beetle across New England during her tenure in AmeriCorps on Cape Cod.
Edible Native Plants
with Russ Cohen
Join local edible native plant specialist, Russ Cohen, for an online exploration of edible native plant species found on Cape Cod. Until his retirement in 2015, Russ Cohen’s “day job” was serving as the Rivers Advocate for the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration, where one of his areas of expertise was in riparian vegetation. Now Russ has more time to pursue his passionate avocation, which is connecting to nature via his taste buds, and assisting others in doing the same. In addition to leading over three dozen foraging walks and talks each year at a wide variety of venues throughout the Northeast, Russ has now taken on the role of Johnny Appleseed for edible native species. He has set up a small nursery (in Weston, MA) where he grows/keeps plants that he propagates from seed (some of which he collected himself). He is then collaborating with land trusts, cities and towns, schools and colleges, state and federal agencies, tribal groups, organic farms and others to plant plants from his nursery in appropriate places on their properties.
Tracking the Land Mammals of Cape Cod
with Todd Kelley
Learn about the art of tracking in this webinar presenting images of different tracks and signs from the mammals on Cape Cod for us to properly identify. Learn a little about the universal “science” of the track and accumulate some virtual “dirt” time in the exploration of animal behaviors and how that translates through the tracks they leave behind. Naturalist Todd Kelley is a retired Nickerson State Park Interpreter, an old Cape family descendant and local cultural historian.
History of Land Conservation on Cape Cod
with Mark Robinson
Mark Robinson presents a chronological overview of attempts to “save the Cape,” which blossomed over the past 100 years as development ramped up, especially after World War II. Mark Robinson has served as Executive Director of The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts since 1986. CCF is a member organization of The Compact along with 31 other land trusts and watershed groups in our region. The Compact provides technical assistance on land acquisition, land management, fundraising and administration for the groups.
Webinar Library
We strive to preserve open space that balances the protection of wildlife and the environment with greater public access.
Tree Identification on Cape Cod
with Tom Walker
Did you realize Cape Cod is home to almost 40 species of native and naturalized trees? Learn how to recognize them in this online seminar with naturalist Tom Walker. Tom Walker is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. He spent several seasons surveying wildlife on the west coast for the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management prior to returning to New England. He has many natural history interests and has led walks and given presentations on lichens, fungi, trees and dragonflies for many different organizations.
Introduction to Lichens and Lichen Identification on Cape Cod
with Tom Walker
Lichens are fascinating, symbiotic organisms formed mostly from the union of fungus and algae. Learn about their ecology and how to recognize them with naturalist Tom Walker. Tom Walker is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. He spent several seasons surveying wildlife on the west coast for the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management prior to returning to New England. He has many natural history interests and has led walks and given presentations on lichens, fungi, trees and dragonflies for many different organizations.
Rebirth of the Earth
with Waban Webquish (Marcus Hendricks)
Waban Webquish presents a discussion on the indigenous practices of the seasonal new year. Gain insight into the signs that earth is awakening and learn about native flora and fauna. Waban Webquish is a Wampanoag/Nipmuc cultural wisdom keeper who provides community education on the history and traditions of his cultural heritage through guided walks and seminars. He also sells handmade Wampum jewelry, traditional indigenous items, and culturally sustainable foods at www.wampanoagshells.com.