Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

A State - Federal Partnership

Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Where would we be without Friends?

The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is fortunate enough to have two friends groups supporting our programs.

The Citizens for the Protection of Waquoit Bay, or CPWB, was formed on Dec. 1, 1981 and was incorporated in January 1982. The two individuals primarily responsible for creating this organization were Ms. Winifred Woods and Ms. Deborah Moore Williams.

Initially, CPWB was formed to protect Washburn Island from development, and subsequently became involved in the protection of lands surrounding Waquoit Bay. In concert with other organizations, we were successful in having South Cape Beach, Washburn Island, the Quashnet River valley, and the Sargent estate preserved through acquisition by the State. In 1991 CPWB signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and became the Friends Group for the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

For the past several years CPWB has been involved in efforts to educate people about the environment and the human effects on the bay and ecosystem. As the Friends Group for the Reserve, CPWB provides the means to pursue fund raising, to assist with research and education, and preservation activities related to the Reserve. Tom Abbott 11/27/99

Purpose and objectives
CPWB was formed for educational, civic, scientific, and charitable purposes:

To educate and encourage our members as well as the general public to appreciate, understand, and contribute to the preservation of the environment, natural resources, and beauties of Waquoit Bay and its environs.

To support and participate in measures and actions that protect and enhance the environmental quality and natural resources of the Bay and its environs; and to oppose any project or activity that would adversely affect the environmental integrity of the Waquoit Bay area.

Major activities

	Supporting Educational programs;
	Annual raffle;
	Annual poster contest in local grade schools to develop awareness of importance of estuaries;
	Brochure explaining the problem of excess nitrogen and describing actions to take to help the situation;
	Washburn Island cleanups twice each summer;
	Sale of t-shirts, mugs, and educational material

The Friends of the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1995 as a volunteer organization within the towns of Mashpee and Falmouth. The Friends mission is to assist the managing partners with fundraising, advocacy, resource protection and educational outreach.

The Refuge encompasses over 5,800 acres of land and is managed by several partners including:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation/Waquoit Bay NERR
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
Town of Mashpee/Mashpee Conservation Commission
Town of Falmouth/Falmouth Conservation Commission
Falmouth Rod and Gun Club
Orenda Wildlife Trust
Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribe

For information about joining the Friends group or making a donation please contact David Vieira at vieiradt@capecod.net or 508.563.7292.

Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
PO Box 3092, 149 Waquoit Highway
Waquoit, MA 02536
PHONE: 508-457-0495 FAX: 617-727-5537

GMT