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Recognizing the important ecosystem services native plants provide, Commission staff are developing an updated list of native plants for use in local and regional planning. Using the comprehensive plant list featured in the Cape Cod Freshwater Pond Buffer Guidance as its foundation, the updated list will include additional native species and indicate which are suited for upland and coastal environments as well as freshwater pond buffers. Created as part of the Freshwater Initiative, the Pond Buffer Guidance highlights the ecological benefits of native plants and their role in supporting healthy habitats.  

Natural systems are central to Cape Cod’s identity and resilience, shaping the region’s environment, economy, and quality of life. A series of lightning talks by Commission staff highlighted efforts to protect ponds, enhance outdoor access, and build resilience in the face of climate stress, sharing practical actions communities and residents can take.  

With support from a state grant, Cape Cod Commission interns are compiling a comprehensive inventory of outdoor recreational areas across the region. The project will consolidate data from towns, land trusts, and planning documents into an online map and statewide database. The goal is to improve access to information about parks, trails, and other open spaces for residents and visitors alike.

With support from a grant awarded by the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR), within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Commission will collaborate with the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and the Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts to create a comprehensive database featuring detailed site descriptions and images of recreational areas across Cape Cod. The project aims to improve planning and public access to information about the region's diverse natural resources.  

With support from a grant awarded by the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR), within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Commission will collaborate with the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and the Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts to create a comprehensive database featuring detailed site descriptions and images of recreational areas across Cape Cod. The project aims to improve planning and public access to information about the region's diverse natural resources.    

The Cape Cod National Seashore Federal Advisory Commission met for the first time in more than five years on April 8, 2024 at the Seashore’s Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham. While the official charge of the Advisory Commission is to consult with the Secretary of the Interior on matters relating to the development of the Cape Cod National Seashore, including matters of acquisition by condemnation and zoning regulations, it also serves as a liaison between the Seashore administration, the towns within its borders, and the community at large.

As climate change continues to bring about more frequent and severe flooding, communities in flood-prone areas face increasing challenges adapting to these changes. On Cape Cod, where communities are particularly vulnerable, work to develop innovative solutions to mitigate the impacts of flooding is underway.   

The Cape Cod Commission has developed a model coastal resiliency bylaw in partnership with the Urban Harbors Institute (UHI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston; Noble, Wickersham, and Heart, LLP; Woods Hole…