Centennial Celebrations Continue at Cape Cod National Seashore: National Public Lands Day, Mosaic Unveiling, and Reception for Current and Former Volunteers Slated for September 24

Date: September 12, 2016
Contact: Sue Moynihan, Chief, Interpretation and Cultural Resources Management, 508-957-0738

Following a successful, event-filled day on the anniversary of the establishment of the National Park Service on August 25, the next set of Centennial events occurring at the national seashore will be on September 24. Activities include volunteer projects as part of the nationwide National Public Lands Day;the unveiling of a new mosaic depicting a salt marsh;and a reception for all current and former national seashore volunteers, including volunteers who support the park through work with the seashore's non-profit partners.

National Public Lands Day, 9 AM to noon, Fort Hill Area, Eastham: Volunteers will trim back vegetation growing along the historic stone walls at Fort Hill in Eastham. All are welcome! In addition, certified chainsaw operators from Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore will tackle large vegetation encroaching on the Red Maple Swamp Trail. The trail has been closed for five years, and the national seashore and Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore will begin trail repairs this fall.Tools, hard hats, goggles, and other necessary items will be provided by seashore staff.Volunteers should bring their favorite pruners or loppers, if they wish, and gardening gloves, water, and a hat. Volunteers are asked to wear long sleeves and pants. Insect repellent is helpful. Due to parking limitations at Fort Hill, volunteers should sign up in advance by contacting Centennial Volunteer Ambassador Courtney Butler at e-mail us or [phone]. Participants will receive a voucher for one free entrance to a national park or other federal lands.

Mosaic Unveiling, Reception, and Guided Walk, 2 PM, Salt Pond Visitor Center, 50 Nauset Road, Eastham: A new mosaic, Natural Wonders, depicts one of Cape Cod's most intricate and important ecosystems, the salt marsh. The national seashore will host the installation of a new mosaic depicting a marsh. The mosaic is a project of the Cape Cod Collaborative Arts Network (Cape Cod CAN!), a local organization devoted to providing opportunities for access, inclusion, and active participation in the literary, visual, and performing arts to people living with disabilities on Cape Cod. Light refreshments will be provided at the unveiling at 2 PM, compliments of Eastern National, the national seashore's education partner. There will be a short guided walk at 3 PM around the Salt Pond, whose resources served as inspiration for the mosaic. In addition, a national seashore and Cape Cod CAN! supporter, CARE for the Cape and Islands will be on hand to celebrate the installation of a new water bottle filling station.

Volunteer Recognition Reception, 5 PM, Salt Pond Visitor Center, Eastham: Volunteers are the lifeblood of most national parks, leveraging work accomplished by paid staff to benefit park resources and provide additional services to visitors. The national seashore will host a reception for all current and former volunteers. Light refreshments will be served, compliments of Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore, and there will be remarks and recognition. Volunteers who have worked directly with park staff, and those who have volunteered with the park's partners are invited. The event is free, but reservations are required. RSVP by September 16 to Centennial Volunteer Ambassador Courtney Butler at e-mail us or [phone].

Background:

National Public Lands Day:National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the largest single-day volunteer event in the nation. NPLD began with just three sites in 1994 and 700 volunteers. In 2015, more than 200,000 volunteers and park visitors celebrated at more than 2,500 public land sites throughout the country and territories. NPLD volunteers helped to collect around 500 tons of trash, built 1,500 miles of trails, planted 100,000 trees, shrubs, and other native plants, removed 500 tons of trash, and contributed $18 million through volunteer services. For more information on NPLD or projects, visit www.publiclandsday.org/npld-sites.

Cape Cod CAN and Mosaic Project: Natural wonders are the resources we discover on Cape Cod.Natural wonders are the amazing abilities everyone has to be creative, even those with disabilities.The mosaic entitled "Natural Wonders" will highlight both of these concepts in a display for the public to enjoy. Cape Cod Collaborative Arts Network is a local organization devoted to providing opportunities for access, inclusion, and active participation in the literary, visual, and performing arts to people living with disabilities on Cape Cod.This past spring their art program entitled the Natural Wonders was conducted with Cape agencies and organizations who serve this population.Participants took weekly art classes and were invited to show their work at the Hyannis Art Shanties in June.In conjunction, participants were invited to create a tile that would become part of a mosaic installation with the same name, Natural Wonders.

The mosaic has three panels depicting a marsh and beach habitat of Cape Cod.The APCC (Association to Preserve Cape Cod) one of the project sponsors, will provide a narrative about the plants and animals found in such a habitat.One panel will be installed at the Wareham Welcome Center in mid-September, where many visitors to the Cape stop for a rest and information.They will be encouraged to view other panels at the Centerville Welcome Center and the Salt Pond Visitor Center at the National Seashore. A fall art program is getting started with Cape Cod CAN!If you would like to support Cape Cod CAN! and its programs by donating or sponsoring, please find contact information at www.capecodcan.orgCape Cod CAN! is a charitable, non-profit 501(c)3 corporation affiliated with the Cotuit Center for the Arts.

CARE (Creating a Responsible Environment) for the Cape and Islands: CARE is a Cape Cod CAN! sponsor and supporter of the national seashore.CARE will be presenting a new water-filling station that it helped fund.For more information, visit www.careforthecapeandislands.org/