What it does
To promote policies and programs that foster the preservation of the natural resources of cape cod.
For over five decades, apcc has been cape cod's advocate for the environment, working on behalf of the cape's residents and visitors to protect the natural resources that define our region. The success of apcc's advocacy is grounded in our reliance on sound science, in our ability to forge effective collaborations with a diverse group of partners, and in our long history of working with policy makers on the local, regional, state and federal levels. Through our work that results in positive changes to laws and public policy, our efforts to promote responsible environmental stewardship, and our vigilance in safeguarding the cape's environment against actions that would threaten it, apcc's advocacy has earned us the distinction of being the leading environmental voice in the region.
Since its inception, apcc has been a science-driven organization for environmental protection and advocacy by applying our scientific knowledge to solving the cape's environmental issues. Scientifically trained and experienced staff use well-vetted scientific information to evaluate issues, provide recommendations, and plan and implement projects. Our decisions are informed by input from scientists, technical experts and other professionals outside the organization. Partnerships are key for sharing of information to achieve goals. Results of projects are used to evaluate progress in addressing problems. Monitoring programs utilize rigorous quality assurance procedures and are designed to be transparent in order to promote public understanding of the issues. Science-based projects are designed to address major environmental problems by informing actions such as policies, outreach, or additional scientific activities to achieve results. Our science programs include: state of the waters: cape cod, herring monitoring, cyanobacteria monitoring, ecosystem restoration program, critical habitat protection, climate change, and cape cod pond monitoring program.
From the very beginnings of apcc, science-based education and outreach have been one of the pillars of the organization. Our education programming initiatives seek to address the regional environmental issues that face the cape in an informative and engaging manner, offering direction and constructive actions needed to care for the cape's living resources. In our mission to inspire a regional environmental ethic, we engage the public through workshops and lectures, our volunteer program and two citizen scientist programs: herring count monitoring and cyanobacteria monitoring. Apcc's speakers bureau is a resource for civic groups looking for a speaker.