Mark Robinson, Executive Director of The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts since 1986, will present a chronological overview of attempts to “save the Cape,” which blossomed over the past 100 years as development ramped up, especially after World War II. From a dearth of public open spaces in the late 1800s, wealthy benefactors would make occasional donations of land for parks, bird sanctuaries and arboretums.  In the 1960s, governments—state, local and federal—made a more concerted effort to set aside critical areas from booming residential and commercial development.  Today, there is a maturing set of players, including nonprofit land trusts, bringing sophisticated strategies and risk-taking to preserve the best of what’s left for public enjoyment and resource protection. Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore brief, annual meeting precedes. Indoor program.

Weekly, evening programs at Salt Pond Visitor Center are sponsored by Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore. For outdoor programs held at the Salt Pond Amphitheater, bench and lawn seating are available, picnicking is welcome, and bug spray is suggested. Indoor programs are in the air-cooled auditorium, and doors open at 6:30 pm. Some events are geared toward families. In the event of rain, outdoor programs will be moved indoors unless rain dates are listed.