PROVINCETOWN — Nine crews of firefighters from stations as far as an hour away from Provincetown answered the call to put out what was at first considered a “major brush […]
Environment
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, Aug. 12 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
NATURAL SELECTION
Making an Impression
There’s a mass of native plants competing for that good, southern sunlight along the muddy shore of Wellfleet’s Silver Spring — cardinal flowers, elderberry, bramble, swamp loosestrife, jewelweed — all […]
GROUNDWATER
How Truro Discovered PFAS in Five Private Wells
The town tries to ‘do the right thing’ after finding toxic chemicals
TRURO — Two rounds of testing last winter and spring resulted in the discovery of PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in the well water of five private homes in […]
LEARNING
‘Lessons From Newtok’ Comes Home to Provincetown
A photojournalism project brings students from Provincetown and Alaska together on the effects of climate change
PROVINCETOWN — The sea level is rising. Sand along the coast is washing away. Surging tides flood houses. Provincetown kids know these things. Kids from Newtok, Alaska “also know about […]
ENVIRONMENT
Information and Infrastructure Are Wanted for Climate Action Plan
Eastham and Cape Cod Commission work to build a ‘roadmap’
EASTHAM — Assistant Town Administrator Rich Bienvenue threw cold water on summer small talk when he opened a gathering at the public library here on July 29. The value of […]
BIRDWATCHING
This Bird Walks on Water
On watching a storm petrel at play on the waves
I was standing forward as the fast ferry flew from Boston to Provincetown when I saw the tiny, robin-size bird — or was it a water bat? — weaving frantically […]
WEATHER
Dog Days Put on Mute
So much smoke. Some welcome rain. Tropical storms. The “dog days of summer” on the Outer Cape may be numbered, but they’re offering plenty of things to consider. As the […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, Aug. 5 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
NATURAL SELECTION
Leader of the Pack
There are over two dozen species of the late-season genus Solidago in New England, many with similar golden-yellow inflorescences — you can be forgiven for not knowing which goldenrod is […]
WATER WORRIES
Truro Pays for PFAS Filtration in Five Homes
Testing downhill from DPW and transfer station sparked protective action
This article was updated on Aug. 2, 2025. TRURO — In February, the town began delivering bottled water to four houses where well water tested positive for a group of […]
NATURAL SELECTION
Midsummer in the Muck
Growing along the perimeter of the mucky basin between Blackwater and Great ponds in Provincetown is Spiraea alba, the white meadowsweet, a native shrub still in bloom this week though […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, July 29 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
GOING NUCLEAR
Healey’s Energy Bill Opens Door to New Nuclear Reactors
Bill repeals 1982 protections, as Holtec readies its ‘SMR’ plans
PLYMOUTH — Gov. Maura Healey’s energy bill, now before the state legislature, contains a provision that would clear the way for development of new nuclear energy facilities in Massachusetts. According […]
BIRDWATCHING
Lament for the Heath Hen
Imagining a grouse that once lived in our oak forests
Imagine these woods as they were before Europeans arrived. Trees were not easily felled. Instead, fire was used to clear land, allowing roots to survive and new growth to easily […]
