Hello! We are students attending 10th grade at Sturgis Public Charter School in Hyannis and have decided to help out Mashpee Wakeby Lake for our civics project. Fertilizer runoff poses a greatly dangerous threat to the water quality of this pond, contributing to nutrient pollution, cyanobacteria blooms and degrading water ecosystems. When fertilizer runs into the water from a lawn, it causes such problems and affects us all. Say goodbye to boating, beach days, tubing, fishing, and any simple activity you would spend at the pond. This also can even affect people's and animals' health, which in extreme cases, leads to paralysis and even death. To protect Cape Cod's ponds, it is essential for us to limit the use of fertilizers, adopt responsible lawn care practices, and promote more sustainable alternatives like compost. Not only is compost a better alternative for fertilizer, it also has many more benefits for your yard. Compost provides nutrients, encourages better plant growth, and improves water retention in soil. Additionally, we hope that more education on the dangers of fertilizer use can spread the word, as well as gain support for local policies that regulate this kind of stuff. Together, we can protect the beauty and ecological strength of Cape Cod's ponds for future generations to come.  Orleans has banned nitrogen fertilizers, and with your help, Mashpee and Sandwich can too!