The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year. Hearing loss prevention for construction and demolition workers help employers prevent occupational hearing loss among construction and demolition workers and applies to all construction and demolition workers with potential noise exposures (continuous, intermittent and impulse) of 85 decibels, A-weighted (dBA) and above.

This course will cover the following:

• Introduction to hearing conservation
• Employers responsibly
• How the ear works
• Basics of sound travel
• Sound monitoring
• Introduction to hearing protection
• Choosing the right hearing protection (Sizing)
• Care and maintenance of hearing protection
• Sound monitoring

Course format:
This course is offered in-person and in two locations.

Questions?
Contact Elaine Brown, Program Coordinator at ebrown@capecod.edu or 508-375-5017.

Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) is essentially a behavioral intervention aiming to provide employees with effective feedback, reinforcement, and recognition of hazards. These hazards are not uncommon and can be found in many settings. 

This program helps improve safety conditions in the workplace and the recognition of other hazards present both in the workplace and potentially a home. The program is meant to educate and increase situational awareness of the employees based on hazard observations and unsafe behavioral observations. 

Training will cover:

• The importance of creating a team that will initiate the BBS program.        
• Listing behaviors that are deemed unsafe.         
• Understanding and recognizing common but not well know hazards or potential hazards        
• The importance of creating a BBS and hazard recognition checklist.        
• Determine a system that can account for hazards both in the workplace and for remote or traveling employees and the environments they may encounter.        
• Teaching and conducting behavioral observations in a workplace but also teaching what may constitute hazards in other settings remote from a fixed work environment.         
• How to provide appropriate feedback depending on the behavior of the employees or how to address hazards once found in all settings.        
• Use the data gathered from observing employees and make necessary changes.        
• Using basic recognition techniques and mitigation skills to address and resolve common hazards        
• Creating a system to report hazards both in and out of a normal work environment.        
• Encourage employees to set achievable goals for both behavior based corrections and hazard corrections in all workplace environments

Course format:
This course is offered in-person and in two locations.

Questions?
Contact Elaine Brown, Program Coordinator at ebrown@capecod.edu or 508-375-5017.

Start Your Journey Toward Eco-Friendly Outdoor Living!

Curious about creating beautiful, sustainable gardens but not sure where to start? This beginner-friendly course is designed to help you confidently step into the world of landscape design with a focus on environmentally responsible practices. Learn how to plan, plant, and care for outdoor spaces that are not only attractive and functional — but also good for the planet.

No prior experience needed — just a passion for nature and a desire to make your space more sustainable!

In This Course, You’ll Learn:

• The basics of landscape design — layout, color, texture, and structure
• How to choose the right plants for your climate and soil
• Simple ways to save water and reduce waste in your garden
• How to support pollinators and local wildlife with native plants
• Garden styles that are both beautiful and eco-friendly (like drought-tolerant, edible, or low-maintenance designs)
• Easy, step-by-step projects to transform your yard or balcony

Why You’ll Love It:

• No jargon — everything is explained in simple, easy-to-follow language
• Hands-on activities 
• Practical tips for gardens of all sizes, including small urban spaces
• Guidance from friendly, experienced instructors 

By the end of this course, you’ll have the confidence and knowledge to start designing your own sustainable garden — one that reflects your style, supports the environment, and grows more beautiful over time.

Who Should Attend:
Landscape professionals, master gardeners, groundskeepers, nursery staff, and homeowners with an interest in sustainable gardening.

Format: This program is taught in person.

• Lectures: Wednesdays, January, TBD; 5 - 7pm at the CCCC Hyannis Center
• Nature Walk: Saturday, TBD; 9 - 11am, location TBD

Questions?
Contact Elaine Brown at ebrown@capecod.edu or 508-375-5017.  

This engaging lecture explores the principles and practices of xeriscaping—a sustainable landscaping approach that reduces water use, enhances biodiversity, and mitigates the effects of urban development. Participants will examine the role of native and non-native drought-tolerant plants in creating resilient landscapes that align with regional climate cycles. Emphasis will be placed on sustainability, climate adaptation, and the ecological implications of plant selection.

The session also addresses the urban heat island (UHI) effect, illustrating how thoughtful xeriscape design can reduce surface temperatures, improve microclimates, and contribute to overall urban resilience. Through case studies and practical examples, attendees will learn how to integrate xeriscaping strategies in residential, commercial, and public spaces to conserve resources, support pollinators, and enhance aesthetic value while adapting to shifting climate patterns.

Whether you're a landscape professional, city planner, student, or homeowner, this lecture will provide the tools and insights needed to implement effective, climate-smart landscapes in a variety of environments.

Key Topics Covered:

• Fundamentals of xeriscaping and water-wise design
• Benefits and considerations of native vs. non-native plant species and pollinators.
• Understanding regional climate cycles and precipitation trends
• Mitigating the Urban Heat Island effect through landscape design
• Soil health, mulching, and efficient irrigation methods
• Real-world examples of successful xeriscape projects

Who Should Attend:
Landscape professionals, master gardeners, groundskeepers, nursery staff, and homeowners with an interest in sustainable gardening.

Format: This program is taught in person.

• Lectures: Wednesdays, February, TBD; 5 - 7pm at the CCCC Hyannis Center
• Nature Walk: Saturday, TBD; 9 - 11am, location TBD

Questions?
Contact Elaine Brown at ebrown@capecod.edu or 508-375-5017.