Mill Pond Water Quality
The June 2025 Environmental Program featured Nauset Heights resident Charlie Carlson, a steady advocate for restoration of Mill Pond, who updated NHA members on the background, status, and schedule of the Mill Pond Water Quality Study overwhelmingly approved at Town Meeting on May 12. Years ago, prior to neighboring development, Mill Pond was a thriving ecosystem filled with fish and shellfish. More recently, Mill Pond has experienced water-quality concerns. Monitoring recently (2019–2023) indicated low levels of dissolved oxygen, which impedes aquatic life of all kinds and high nitrogen levels, leading to algae growth, further impeding aquatic habitat. Much of the [Read more ...]
Terra Firma Meadowscaping
The June 2024 Environmental Program featured ecological lawn care and Terra Firma Meadowscaping. The Committee's overall focus remains on the protection of our fragile ecosystem and sole source aquifer while enhancing the joy of gardening and home beauty. The program speakers were Peter Jensen and Lynn Van Norman. See below for handouts from the event.
Is Our Drinking Water in Good Health?
On June 18, 2022, the NHA Environmental Committee hosted the educational session, Is Our Drinking Water In Good Health? On Saturday, June 18, 2022, the NHA Environmental Committee hosted a program with Susan Brown, Assistant Superintendent, Orleans Water Department, who spoke with members about the quality and safety of our town’s public drinking water. For decades, Orleans residents have taken their water for granted and in fact, it has received several state-wide awards for its quality. However, In the last few years, Cape Cod towns like Chatham and Barnstable, had to take action when their public drinking water was found [Read more ...]
Plant a Cape Cod Lawn and Help Save Our Ponds and Estuaries
The Orleans Pond Coalition recommends the following tips to save you time and money while saving our waters. For more detail, see the Town of Orleans Fertilizer Regulations Code: Chapter 103:Fertilizer Nitrogen and Phosphorus Control
Tips to Preserve Nauset Heights’ Environment
The Nauset Heights Environmental Committee has been honored to serve as a voice for Environmental Education for the NHA Association Members, Families, Friends and Environment. We believe that there is a growing interest in how to preserve our beautiful environment. Many neighbors participate in our successful fall (Spruce Up) and spring (Spring Fling) cleanups. WE have sponsored well-attended events on horseshoe crabs and organic gardening. We recognize how fragile and vulnerable our land and waters are to the whims of Mother Nature and to the impact of our own actions. Here are a few things for you to consider and [Read more ...]
Pollinator Program Handouts
The Environmental Committee was pleased to present the Pollinator Program on June 5, 2021. In case you missed it, the handouts are available to download. The information in the handout is compiled from various sources. Special thanks to Ann Rickard Thompson and Rigney Cunningham for their hard work developing the valuable plant and resource lists. Further information is courtesy of the new Pollinator-Pathway Cape Cod Initiative, a regional effort focusing on stemming the loss of pollinators as their habit declines with the rapid development of open space. Many Orleans organizations already participate in this alliance: Nauset Garden Club, Orleans Conservation [Read more ...]