Falmouth Reads Together: Land, Community & Conservation on Cape Cod: The History of the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge

Americorps Volunteer Alayana, founder and members of the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge present on Land, Community & Conservation on Cape Cod: The History of the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge
 
Ever wondered how the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge was created?
 
Hear directly from the founders and partners of this collaborative effort as they share the challenges, goals, and projects behind creating Cape Cod’s second-largest conservation area—a unique treasure in your backyard.
 

Honeybee Swarms: What to Know and What to Do

Wednesday, May 6
6:30 PM
Hermann Foundation Meeting Room

Late spring on Cape Cod marks the beginning of honeybee swarming season. In this informative talk, beekeeper Miguel Zamora will explain why honeybees swarm and what residents should know if they encounter one. Participants will learn how to distinguish bees from wasps, gain an introduction to honeybee biology, and understand the purpose of swarming in the life of a hive. The program will also cover what to do—and what not to do—if you spot a swarm, how to report it, and why safely recovering swarms is important for both bees and beekeepers.
 
This program is designed for anyone curious about bees or interested in learning how to respond if they see a swarm in their neighborhood.
 

Caring for Cape Cod: A Community Environmental Fair

Saturday, May 2nd

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM 

Visit the Hermann Room – registration is not required!

 
From ponds and coastlines to gardens and green spaces, connect with local organizations working to care for Falmouth and the Upper Cape. Stop by this drop-in Community Environmental Fair to learn, ask questions, and find ways to get involved close to home.
 
All visitors will be entered to win a door prizes, including a composting starter kit!
 
Confirmed organizations and departments as of 3/30/26:
 
The 300 Committee
https://300committee.org/
 
Association to Preserve Cape Cod
https://apcc.org/
 
The Coonamesset River Trust 
 
Falmouth CAN 
 
 
 
Falmouth Solid Waste Advisory Committee
 
Falmouth Water Stewards 
 
 
Oyster Pond Environmental Trust 
https://opet.org/
 
 
 
 
 
 

An Evening of Photography and Reflection with Sean Palfrey

Tuesday, April 28 6:30—7:30 PM

Hermann Foundation Meeting Room

Join us for an evening with Sean Palfrey as he presents his new series of photography books—Home, Wander, Imagine, Dance, and Promise. This collection showcases his creative vision through a beautiful suite of images drawn from his extensive photographic archive.

Sean will introduce his work, travels, and books before inviting the audience to reflect on and discuss a series of photographs, sharing his own images and written “musings” along the way.

Sean Palfrey, MD, has been creating and exhibiting color photography in Massachusetts and across the United States for over 45 years. In addition to his work as a photographer, he is a pediatrician, professor of medicine and public health, and former dean who has traveled extensively in support of health services following natural disasters.

Working first with a medium format Pentax 6×7 and later with Nikon digital cameras, Palfrey developed a distinctive approach using single and multiple exposures—all created in-camera, without digital manipulation. As part of the program, audiences will be invited to consider: which images are multiple exposures?

Palfrey is currently publishing a series of books that pair his photographs with short written reflections—“musings”—inspired by the images. Five of the six planned volumes are now available in bookstores and online.

Register here: https://falmouthpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/…

Falmouth Reads Together Book Discussion

Saturday, May 16th at 2:00 PM 
 
Join us as we discuss the 2026 Falmouth Reads Together title “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
 
Ocean Eversley and Alice Kociemba will lead the discussion.
 
 
We will meet and discuss the book in the Hermann Room
 

Falmouth Reads Together – Native Pollinators

Tuesday, April 282:00—3:00 PM

Hermann Foundation Meeting Room

Gardening for a Better Cape: Promoting Pollination and Native Species
 
Brought to You by: Friends of the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge
 
Learn how your gardening choices can support Cape Cod’s ecosystem by creating pollinator-friendly spaces and incorporating native plants that benefit local wildlife and overall environmental health.

Intro to Sound and Energy for Relaxation and Wellbeing

Intro to Sound and Energy for Relaxation and Wellbeing

Saturday, April 18 11:00 AM—12:00 PM

Hermann Foundation Meeting Room

Discover the beauty and joy of working with sound and energy for relaxation and wellbeing in this experiential workshop. Come to relax and enjoy, and leave with a practice or two you can use at home.

In this workshop, participants will be able to relax into experiences with metal Tibetan singing bowls and crystal singing bowls and discover the ways their tones and vibrations promote wellbeing. The workshop will also introduce participants to ways of working with energy for relaxation, wellbeing and stress relief. There will be ample opportunity for discussion and questions. All are welcome, no experience is necessary.

Hard-backed chairs will be available, and there will also be space on the floor for anyone who would like to bring a mat, blanket, or cushion.

Teacher bio: Ellen Laurie is the owner of Woods Hole Wellbeing, where she provides private sessions, classes and groups using sound, energy, breath, and attuned perception for relaxation, wellbeing, and personal growth. Ellen has an AB from Princeton University and a Masters of Social Work from NYU. She has been practicing new and evolving forms of energetic work for about 24 years, and has enjoyed a career in nonprofit leadership in the fields of the arts, education, and animal welfare.

Register here: 

https://falmouthpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/intro-to-sound-and-energy-for-relaxation-and-wellbeing

Disagreeing Better – Hosted by Middle Ground

Thursday, May 7
6:00—8:00 PM
Hermann Foundation Meeting Room

The Skills for Disagreeing Better workshop led by Braver Angels helps participants understand the values and concerns of those who differ from them politically and teaches essential skills for communicating across differences and finding common ground.  This event is hosted by Middle Ground (Falmouth).  

 Goals

 ● Grow understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically 

● Learn skills for listening in a way the other person feels heard

 ● Learn skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear even if they disagree

 Who Can Attend 

This workshop is open to everyone. 

What to Expect 

You will learn about the values and concerns of the other political side and practice skills for communicating more effectively in the presence of disagreement.

Register Here

Digital Navigator Technology Help

Digital Navigator Offers Free Technology Help at Falmouth Public Library

Community members who need help with technology are invited to meet with a Digital Navigator at the Falmouth Public Library. A Digital Navigator will be on site to offer free, one-on-one assistance on Tuesdays from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM in the Reference Room at the public computers.

Digital Navigators help people with a wide range of technology needs, including using computers and the internet, accessing online resources, finding affordable home internet, and applying to jobs.

Anyone who would like help with technology is welcome. Participants should bring their own devices if they would like assistance setting them up or learning how to use them. No appointment necessary.

More infromation about the Digital Navigator grant 

Email or call us with questions:

info@falmouthpubliclibrary.org

(598) 457-2555

CANCELED – Permafrost Pathways and The Intersection of Indigenous Communities and Western Science

We hope to reschedule this program- check back for updates! 

 

Falmouth Reads Together – Permafrost Pathways and The Intersection of Indigenous Communities and Western Science

Monday, March 30th at 6:30 PM 

Hermann Room
Register here: https://falmouthpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/…

Join Dr. Sue Natali and Brooke LaRae Woods of Woodwell Climate Research Center for a thoughtful discussion on the intersection of Western science and Indigenous knowledge in climate research.

Drawing from their work in Arctic permafrost regions, Dr. Natali and Woods will explore how scientific research and Indigenous ways of knowing can inform and strengthen one another. This conversation will examine how collaboration, reciprocity, and community partnerships are shaping climate science today, and why elevating Indigenous voices is essential in understanding environmental change.

This program invites participants to consider how multiple knowledge systems can work together in response to a rapidly changing climate.

Brooke LaRae Woods

Brooke Woods (Dlel Taaneets) was raised at fish camp on the Yukon River in Rampart, Alaska. She currently develops strategies with policymakers and Indigenous communities for Woodwell’s Arctic Permafrost Pathway project, focusing on just, science-backed, Arctic policy. Her work supports Indigenous-led adaptation and relocation governance frameworks. Woods is raising her family and completing a bachelor’s degree in tribal governance of fisheries at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). She previously worked as a fisheries policy analyst at the Tanana Chiefs Conference and served as executive chair for the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission for six years.

Sue Natali

I am an Arctic climate scientist whose focus on permafrost thaw is motivated by an acute awareness of the risks it poses. I have worked extensively across the Arctic, in Alaska, Siberia, and elsewhere, combining field research of permafrost and carbon cycling with remote sensing and modeling to assess current and future climate impacts across the Arctic.

I lead the Permafrost Pathways Initiative, which brings together leading experts in climate science, policy action, and environmental justice to assess the local to global impacts of permafrost thaw and other climate changes in the Arctic, in order to inform climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. I work with Indigenous communities, scientists, resource managers, and policymakers at all levels to craft just and effective strategies for limiting harm from Arctic warming.