The Orleans Conservation Trust protects and restores natural lands — for people and wildlife, the health of our waters, and the character of our community.

Upcoming Walk

Friday, August 11, 2:30pm-4pm

Portanimicut Greenbelt

Meet at 66 Portanimicut Road, Orleans

Coming up this Friday! Back by popular demand, walk about 1.5 miles, including a stretch on Portanimicut Road, and visit newly protected Greenbelt Gateway and Window on the Bay preserves.

Limited participation. Advanced registration required.

Annual Meeting

Monday, August 28, 5pm

Refreshments and cash bar at 4:30 pm

Orleans Yacht Club (39 Cove Road, Orleans)

Join OCT for our Annual Meeting! Enjoy refreshments and the gorgeous view over Town Cove as we celebrate the work OCT does to protect and restore land for people and wildlife. Attendees will learn about the Trust's exciting new projects, including At Home with Nature, an initiative to help residents increase the habitat value of their home landscape. Seth Wilkinson, renowned restoration ecologist and founder of Wilkinson Ecological Design, will provide tips and landscaping practices that will encourage more wildlife in backyard environments. Plus, we'll announce the results of our Trustee election. OCT Members can cast their vote for the slate of Trustees online through August 27 at 5pm, and we plan to welcome three new members to the board.

Click here to cast your vote!

PLEASE NOTE: Households with two voting members should fill out the voting form twice - once for each member.

Seth Wilkinson

Hellos & Goodbyes

This month we're bidding a fond farewell to our Director of Land Stewardship, Alex Bates, who will be starting a new position as the Town of Eastham's Conservation Agent. We're deeply grateful for all of Alex's hard work over nearly four years at OCT and wish him the best in his new position! And please help us spread the word about our job opening.

In better news, Lily Gooding, who served with OCT over the last year while in the AmeriCorps Cape Cod program, will be joining OCT full time this month as our new Land Stewardship Technician. We're delighted to have her back and to continue to grow our land stewardship program!

Mark Your Calendar

Upcoming Walks:

Hike to Pochet Island (9/17)
Baker's Pond (10/12)
Peck Property (11/13)

Upcoming Talks:

"The Outermost House" with Don Wilding (9/11)
"Marine Misfits" with Krill Carson (10/10)
"Nibbling on Native Plants" with Russ Cohen (11/7)

Not seeing as many pollinators as you'd like? It's not to early to start planning next year's yard! Pick your perfect native plant here - search by plant type, bloom time, soil needs, benefits, and more!

Orleans Conservation Trust

203 South Orleans Rd.

Orleans, MA 02653

(508) 255-0183

Orleans Conservation Trust is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1970. Over its 50-year history, the Trust has preserved more than 660 acres in Orleans. Among the most active land trusts on Cape Cod, OCT stewards a range of ecosystems, from freshwater ponds and wetlands to saltmarshes, wooded upland, and coastal grasslands, managing its lands to protect and enhance wildlife habitat, restore native ecosystems, and provide public recreation and education through a network of trails and informational signage. OCT also educates residents and visitors about important natural values and environmental issues in Orleans and around Cape Cod via guided walks, free lectures, its website, newsletter, and other communications.