[SEMCO] Water Quality lecture at Mass Audubon

[Melissa Lowe]

For Immediate Release:
Contacts:
August 11, 2003      Abby Franklin (Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary):
508-349-2615


Water Quality of Cape Cod's Bays, Saltponds, Harbors & Marshes Subject of
Lecture at Mass Audubon

 South Wellfleet, MA - The year-round and seasonal population on Cape Cod
has increased dramatically over the last 40 years and promises to continue
growing. More people on this narrow peninsula means more human waste and
associated pet wastes, fertilizers, and detergents. All of these
nutrient-rich by-products get introduced into the natural system and
ultimately affect water quality in local bays, harbors, marshes and other
saltwater bodies. Excess nitrogen in the marine ecosystem can have
deleterious effects on shellfish and finfish populations and marine plants
like eelgrass.
Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is hosting a slide lecture
on Thursday, August 21 at 7:00p.m. in order to raise awareness about this
complex, but very real, biological concern. Brendan Annett of the Waquoit
Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve will discuss how nitrogen finds its
way into our harbors and bays, how plants and wildlife are affected, and
what you can do to slow down the process. This lecture is free and
registration is requested, but not required.  For more information please
call the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at 508-349-2615.

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The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the west side of Route 6,
immediately north of the Eastham/Wellfleet town line.  Trails are open daily
8am to dusk.  Sanctuary admission is free for members; $5 adults, $3
children for members. All (508) 349-2615 for information.

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Melissa Lowe
Education Coordinator
Massachusetts Audubon Society
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
PO Box 236, South Wellfleet, MA 02663
Phone: 508-349-2615  Fax: 349-2632
mlowe at wellfleetbay.org