• Atlantic Ocean beach at Cape Cod National Seashore

    Cape Cod

    National Seashore Massachusetts

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Access to the Coast Guard Beach in Eastham will be closed Tuesday, May 21.

    Access to the Coast Guard Beach in Eastham will be closed Tuesday, May 21, from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM so seashore staff can create an accessible path in advance of the summer season.

  • Storm damage, construction affecting access at seashore locations; reduction in programming

    Due to erosion, there is no beach access at Nauset Light and Marconi beaches. Access at the Marconi Site is limited. Parts of the Nauset Marsh and Red Maple Swamp trails are closed. Nauset Bike Trail construction is underway. More »

ARC - Science and Research

A prescribed burn
A prescribed burn coordinated with park scientists and park fire officials to examine the effects of fire on Phragmites australis, an invasive plant, in a restored salt marsh.
NPS Image
 
 

Opportunities for Research
The Atlantic Research Center (ARC) has ambitious research goals. The ARC looks to expand upon our research partnerships with individuals, colleges and universities, public agencies and non-governmental organizations. It is a priority of the ARC to foster research that will contribute to Park Service management objectives. Specifically, it is a priority of the Cape Cod National Seashore (CACO) to utilize and expand upon the Cape Cod Ecosystem Monitoring program that is implemented by NPS scientists in cooperation with the US Geological Survey (USGS).

CACO has a proud history of fostering both independent and collaborative research within its borders. The ARC plays a pivotal role in providing researchers the resources and facilities they need to carry out their work. Individuals interested in learning more about past and present research taking place at CACO should visit the NPS Research Permit and Reporting System website and review the archive of Investigator's Annual Reports. These reports are mandatory year-end summaries written by Principal Investigators (PI's) intended to record and communicate objectives and progress of all permitted research projects. In addition, interested parties should review the CACO Research Catalog document which provides an in depth description of the most pressing needs for CACO within the natural and cultural resource sciences. Please take the time to explore our various online resources in order to obtain a greater understanding of the dynamic of research taking place at CACO. Like the seashore itself, research at the park is diverse and ever changing; please contact us for the most up-to-date information in your area of interest.

 
Water quality monitoring at Kettle Pond

Kettle pond data collection.

Photo by Jane Barnes

Research Permits
Research Permits must be obtained by all Principal Investigators prior to conducting research within any National Park. Investigators are encouraged to apply at least 90 days prior to their planned arrival at CACO. Individuals who wish to obtain a research permit may apply at the NPS Research Permit and Reporting System. Follow the link titled ‘Applications’ to view a complete list of materials necessary for submitting an application. For more information refer to the ‘Application FAQ’ and ‘Permit FAQ’ links on that website.

For questions or additional information pertaining to the Atlantic Research Center at CACO please contact:

Megan Tyrrell, Ph.D.
CACO Research & Monitoring Coordinator
508-487-3262 x 0510
508-487-7153 fax

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Did You Know?

Herring River dike, Wellfleet

Cape Cod National Seashore includes over 2500 acres of historically diked salt marshes, 35% of the Massachusetts total, and including some of the biggest diked marshes in the Gulf of Maine.  Work continues, in cooperation with other agencies and private groups, to restore these degraded estuaries.