SCT Annual Meeting
Location: Sand Hill School 16 Dewey Ave, Sandwich
Date and time: December 6th, 2:00pm
The public is invited to our Annual Meeting, with voting privileges for members in good standing. We will review the past year's accomplishments, challenges and vote for incoming trustees. Following the business part of the meeting, we will enjoy refreshments and a presentation.
Full Moon Hike
Location: Sagamore Hill
Date and time: November 5th, 4:00pm
Trustee Cliff Irving will lead a guided walk to Sagamore Hill where we can view the remains of a WWII military installation. The Panama mounts and battery commander's station of the two-gun 155 mm battery still remain, as well as several magazine "igloos".
FREE - Donations gratefully accepted
Sagamore Hill: A Place of Councils and Coastal Defense
Long before European settlers arrived on Cape Cod, Sagamore Hill in Sandwich was a place
of deep cultural importance. This elevated rise overlooking Cape Cod Bay served as a
council site for leaders of the Wampanoag tribes. From its summit, the landscape stretches
far in all directions — ideal for both gathering and watchfulness. Oral histories and early
records describe sachems and elders meeting here beneath the stars, discussing seasonal
movements, alliances, and matters of tribal governance. The site offered both symbolism
and practicality: high ground, open air, and spiritual significance.
Even as the surrounding landscape changed over the years, Sagamore Hill retained
its strategic importance. During both World War I and World War II, the U.S. military
identified the hill as a vital observation and defense post. Coastal defense installations were
constructed into its natural elevation, with concrete bunkers and lookout points aimed
toward the Cape Cod Canal and beyond. These structures housed soldiers, searchlights, and
observation equipment — a far cry from the peaceful councils of earlier generations, but a
continuation of the hill’s long-standing role in safeguarding the region.
Today, remnants of both histories remain. While little survives of the Wampanoag
gatherings but memory and landscape, some of the 20th-century military structures are still
visible among the scrub oak and pine. Sagamore Hill is now protected open space, visited by
those who seek quiet views, migrating hawks, or simply a place to reflect on the layers of
human presence that have shaped this ancient rise. From tribal diplomacy to wartime
vigilance, the hill is a quiet reminder of how land can carry memories.
South Sandwich History Hike
Location: East Sandwich - Parking - from Great Hill Road turn West onto Popple Bottom Road. Travel 1/8 mile, pass by Fox Trot Run on the left, and after another 1/8 mile look for very wide driveway on the right leading to town water tower off Popple Bottom.
Date and time: September 14th, 2:00 - 3:00
Trustee Brian Kelly will lead a walk in the South Sandwich area. Learn about the history of this little corner of Farmersville and its association with Lawrence Pond, the RofMar, Lodge and the 1916 era Camp Cotuit. Brian has written and published a book on the history of South Sandwich with old photos.
Walk will be at a leisurely pace on roads (not trails) with slightly hilly terrain. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Free - No registration necessary - donations gratefully accepted.
Nature Day and Rubber Duck Race Fundraiser!
Location: 85 Old County Road, East Sandwich
Date and time: August 2nd, 12:00-3:00
The SCT and Nye Museum are partnering at the Nye museum grounds and trails for Nature Day. This is a family event with activities for all ages! John Cullity, SCT president will speak on Landscape changes over the years, and there will be a camp cooking demonstration by trustee Cliff Irving, Pond Life talk with nature educator Mary Beers, a geocaching hunt, and more! Story time with Meghan from Titcomb's Bookshop at 1:00 and Gnome Home craft for kids! No prior registration needed. All proceeds to benefit the Sandwich Conservation Trust and the Nye Museum. Ice cream truck will stop by at 12:30!
The afternoon ends with a Rubber Duck race down the lively stream at 2:00. To support SCT and the Nye Museum, adopt a duck!
$5.00 per family admission, $5.00 per duck
Ducks can be purchased at the event, or by emailing sandwichconservationtrust.org and you get to choose it's name!
Call the Nye Museum at 508-888-4213 with any questions.
Blueberry Bog Day
Location: 92 Spring Hill Road, East Sandwich
Date and time: July 27th, Sunday 2:00
SCT Trustee Steve Touloumtzis and Sally Winings, owners of The Blueberry Bog, will be on hand to describe the in's and out's of growing a productive blueberry patch. Tasty treats, special native American fruits beverage, and a blueberry recipe exchange.
Parking is available at the Quaker Meetinghouse on Quaker Road. The Blueberry Bog is a short walk through the historic Quaker cemetery.
FREE event - Donations gratefully accepted. Pick your own blueberries extra.
Curated Garden Tour
Location: private home garden at 6 Carleton Drive West, East Sandwich
Date and time: FRIDAY JULY 18th, 10:00-4:00 (note date changed from original July 20)
Josh LaPine of Healing in Hand will curate this oasis of carefully crafted gardens that includes a water feature, secret solace garden, and mounds of gorgeous hydrangea, dappled willows, hosta, shasta and other garden stars.
This home garden tour is part of the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival with proceeds going directly to support SCT.
$5.00 donation/person CASH
Great Island Guided Walk
Location: SCT Great Island Preserve
Date and time: June 29th at 2:00 pm
Join us as we learn about the history and natural features of the SCT Great Island Preserve on a guided walk, then dedicate a memorial bench to Drs. Shirley and Chester Cross, donors of the Spring Hill Marsh, Shirley's Woods and other SCT properties. Park at the SCT Toolas Preserve, Great Island Road, East Sandwich. We will meet there and walk to Great Island, about 20 minutes. Please leave pets at home and be prepared for insects and ticks.
FREE - Donations gratefully accepted
Guided Walk
Location: Cook Farm Conservation Land
Date and time: May 18th, at 2:00 pm
John Cullity, SCT President and local historian will lead this gentle walk through the town-owned Cook Farm lands. Our trek will bring us alongside upper Shawme Pond, across the restored herring run and over to view the location of the old cotton mill which later became the Sandwich Tack Company, and other natural and historic features. There is limited parking at the entrance on Water Street/Route 130, Sandwich. Additional parking across the street in the lot behind the old Wing School, 33 Water Street, Sandwich MA.
Event is free and donations are gratefully accepted.
Diadromous Fishes Talk
Location: Sandwich Public Library
Date and time: May 8th at 6:00pm
Biologist Brad Chase from MassWildlife's Division of Marine Fisheries will be giving a free educational talk on the topic of diadromous fish, which are known for spending parts of their life cycle in both fresh and saltwater habitats. Chase will present coast-wide information on the status of river herring and American eel in Massachusetts and then zoom in on monitoring and restoration activities on Cape Cod for sea-run fish including a look at the Mill Creek run in Sandwich.
Brad is a Lead DMF biologist for American eel, rainbow smelt and diadromous fish restoration and a Massachusetts representative on Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Technical Committees on American eel, American Shad/River Herring, and Fish Passage.
Donations gratefully accepted.
ABSTRACTING FROM NATURE - Art Workshop
Location: Grange Hall at Nye Museum, 91 Old County Road, East Sandwich
Date and time: May 3, 1:00-4:00
Step away from the everyday and immerse yourself in nature’s beauty! Join us for a unique art workshop where we’ll explore the world around us with an artist’s eye—discovering shapes, patterns, lines, and shadows in the landscape.
Led by professional artist Mary Moquin, this hands-on experience begins with a mindful stroll through the scenic Nye Museum grounds, where we’ll make preliminary sketches and notes. We’ll then return to the historic Grange Hall to develop our artwork with Mary’s guidance.
This workshop welcomes all skill levels, from beginners to experienced artists. Spots are limited, so register early!
Materials provided (paper, drawing board, pencils, charcoals, black and white paint, etc.), but feel free to bring your favorite supplies.
$75 per person – proceeds benefit SCT.
Come connect with nature, unleash your creativity, and support a great cause!
Mary Moquin is a professional artist and teacher. She lives on the cape and spends part of the year in a remote dune cottage on Sandy Neck. Mary holds a BFA in printmaking and an MFA in painting from Umass Dartmouth. Her work is represented at several art galleries on Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard.
VERNAL POOLS TALK
Location: Sandwich Public Library, 142 Main St, Sandwich, MA 02563
Date and time: Sat, Mar 22, 2025 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Join the SCT to explore the hidden and mysterious world of Vernal pools on Cape Cod. Learn about a local conservation project supporting the rarest frog in Massachusetts, and pioneering vernal pool restoration activities to support vernal pool creatures on Cape Cod.
Presented by: Ian Ives, Manager at Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture, Ashumet, Barnstable Great Marsh and Skunknett River Wildlife Sanctuaries. His job responsibilities include overall management of the sanctuaries, community outreach and development, property and ecological management, and education.
FREE - register to reserve a seat
Brush Fires: A Safety Discussion
Date: February, 23rd, 2025
Time: 2:30 pm
Location: Sandwich Public Library
Cost: Free to the public
Description: The tragic loss of life and community resulting from the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles suburbs has inspired a nationwide response and has sparked concern locally about the risk of forest fires. Brush fires have long been a part of the local ecology of Cape Cod. What can be done to ensure that brush fires are controlled and contained to prevent them from escalating into the types of wildfires that have displaced so many in southern California?
The Sandwich Conservation Trust invites you to an information session at the Sandwich Public Library on February 23rd at 2:30. The program will include a brief presentation focusing on our town’s historic settlement and land use patterns, and how those patterns have resulted in some vulnerability to forest fires. A panel discussion will follow focusing on the importance of forest management and how homeowners can implement other proactive measures to reduce risk of wildfires.
This event is FREE, but please register to reserve a seat.
