Friends of Pleasant Bay

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Harwich, MA
Friends of Pleasant Bay

Learn more: https://linktr.ee/friendsofpleasantbay

The Friends of Pleasant Bay is a grassroots environmental group dedicated to the preservation of one of Cape Cod's most stunning recreational and ecological resources. Since its founding in 1985 the group has been successful in achieving State designation of the Bay as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern, and was instrumental in development and State approval of a Resource Management Plan fo

r the Bay. The Mission of the Friends of Pleasant Bay is:

-To promote education, research and public awareness of the area as one of critical environmental concern
-To preserve open space and to retain visual quality of the area
-To preserve the environmental integrity of the bay shore
-To ensure habitat protection and retention of the rich biological diversity and productivity of the bay
-To retain and enhance public access to the shoreline
-To preserve natural and historic sites
-To promote public awareness of historic Native American culture. The Friends encourage innovative education projects centered on the Bay through an annual competitive grant program open to all public schools in the area. The Friends also provide regular support for advanced technical studies of the Bay, and develop and publish informational documents for public education and awareness. We frequently participate in the public process on issues affecting the Bay, and raise and provide funds for purchase of critical open space land.

05/12/2026

Coastal flooding from sea level rise and storm surge is already reshaping life around Pleasant Bay—threatening roads and infrastructure, reducing public access to the water, and damaging the salt marshes, eelgrass beds, beaches, and dunes that protect and sustain the ecosystem. Learn about “Coastal Resilience” planning and zoning tools at the Pleasant Bay Alliance's Climate Resilient Regulations and Policies Project webpage: https://pleasantbay.org/programs-and-projects/climate-resilience/climate-resilient-regulations-policies-project

05/07/2026

Save the date: our 41st Annual Meeting will be held on Monday, July 13th at Wequassett Resort. Registration info to come...we hope to see you there!

04/28/2026

Did you miss our recent Salt Marsh Symposium? Catch the highlights and watch the event recording on our website today! Follow the link in our bio.

04/22/2026

We love our Bay, today and every day! We hope you're able to get out and participate in one of the many Earth Day events in our area. For a calendar events, follow the link in our bio 🌎

04/14/2026

Join the Friends of Chatham Waterways from 10 - 11:30 AM on Earth Day, April 22nd, to view Secrets of the Seagrass and hear from a panel of local experts. Watch the short film by award-winning filmmaker, photographer, and expeditionist Tomas Koeck. Tomas will be joined for a discussion by local experts Dr. Agnes Mittermayr, a benthic ecologist from the Center for Coastal Studies and the Director of Seagrass Net; and Gregory Berman, Director of Natural Resources from the Town of Chatham. Free tickets are available at the Chatham Orpheum box office.

03/24/2026

Cape Cod sits atop a network of sandy, permeable aquifers, formed by six separate groundwater “lenses” left behind by glaciers. These underground reservoirs store freshwater that feeds drinking wells, streams, ponds, and coastal bays. Nearly 70% of this groundwater eventually flows toward the coast, including into Pleasant Bay and its tributaries.

Pleasant Bay lies primarily within the Monomoy Lens, which underlies parts of Brewster, Chatham, Orleans, and Harwich. Water from this lens nourishes rivers, salt marshes, and the bay itself, sustaining fish, shellfish, and marsh habitats. Because Cape Cod’s soils are so permeable, nutrients like nitrogen can travel underground easily, making protection of the Monomoy Lens and careful wastewater management essential for the Bay’s long-term health.

The Cape Cod Commission’s aquifer map above shows the location and extent of these critical groundwater sources. On Cape Cod, the watershed is largely invisible—but entirely interconnected.

03/20/2026

If you're looking to spend some time this week enjoying a bird identification workshop, a beach clean-up, or a hike with your toddler...look no further than the Cape Cod conservation calendar! Visit friendsofpleasantbay.org -> News & Events -> Events to learn more about ways to get involved locally and, importantly, get outside ☀️

03/10/2026

The Center for Coastal Studies’ (CCS) Shoreline & Seafloor Mapping Program uses cutting-edge, science-based mapping to support coastal resilience. By combining detailed surveys of both the shoreline and underwater seafloor, the program provides critical data on erosion patterns, habitat distribution, and changes in coastal landscapes. These maps help communities, scientists, and policymakers understand vulnerabilities, plan effective conservation strategies, and make informed decisions to protect Cape Cod’s dynamic coastal environment. Through this work, the Center translates complex geospatial data into actionable insights that guide sustainable management of the region’s shorelines and estuaries. Hear from the CCS Marine Geology Department Chair and Director of the Shoreline and Seafloor Mapping Program Mark Borrelli, Ph.D. Click to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDhsGyKo2Y4

03/03/2026

Salt marshes protect our water, wildlife, and shoreline — but they’re under threat from climate change, development, and environmental stress. The Friends of Pleasant Bay and Pleasant Bay Alliance are bringing together scientists, local officials, and coastal experts for the Coastal Salt Marsh Symposium at the Chatham Community Center on March 30 from 4-6 PM to discuss how science can guide action in your community.

This free, two-hour program will showcase the latest research, restoration successes, and practical tools to help communities protect and restore these vital ecosystems. Learn from an exceptional panel of local experts. Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/UHId9D2?source_type=fbpo&source_id=ed351212-c13f-43fa-ac28-6e610b2b5898

02/17/2026

Last November, the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) launched fieldwork for the Friends of Pleasant Bay–funded ecosystem assessment of Pleasant Bay — a comprehensive look at the fish, shellfish, and habitats that make this estuary so remarkable. This interdisciplinary study builds on similar research conducted a decade ago, allowing scientists to compare today’s conditions with those of 10 years past. Over the course of a year, researchers led by Owen Nichols, Director of Marine Fisheries Research at the Center for Coastal Studies, are sampling the Bay monthly to document what’s living where — and how those patterns may be changing. The goal is to create a robust baseline dataset on the status and trends of Pleasant Bay’s natural resources, laying the groundwork for a long-term habitat monitoring program. If you’re out on Pleasant Bay and see Owen and the team at work, give them a wave — science is happening in real time. For more information about the study and to learn how you can help, visit friendsofpleasantbay.org/fisheries

Address

Harwich, MA

Website

https://www.friendsofpleasantbay.org/

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