The Orleans Conservation Trust protects and restores natural lands — for people and wildlife, the health of our waters, and the character of our community. | |
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New Date: Thursday, February 1, 1:30pm
366 Tonset Road, Orleans
Walk about 1/2 mile through pine-oak woodlands and enjoy views of Nauset Marsh, learning to identify trees and shrubs by their winter appearance at this lesser-known OCT property.
Meet at 366 Tonset Road, Orleans, MA. Additional parking is available at the Town Landing and the end of Tonset Road.
Limited participation; advanced registration required.
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Volunteer Workday: Meadow Bog Restoration | |
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Wednesday, February 7, 9:00am-11:30am
174 Quanset Road, Orleans
Come join us on Wednesday, February 7, as we work together on the first phase of eco-restoration at the Meadow Bog trailhead. We will remove aggressive species, opening up a scenic vista and fostering the growth of native vegetation overlooking Meadow Bog Pond. Volunteers can expect to learn effective techniques for managing invasive species and enhance plant identification skills.
Please bring work gloves, water, and loppers or handsaws if available. Additionally, wear durable, long sleeved clothing with sturdy footwear to work in thick vegetation.
Limited parking is available at the Twinings Pond Trailhead at 135 Quanset Road, about a quarter-mile from the work site. There will not be parking available on-site during the workday.
Please contact Tom to sign up and for any questions you may have.
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Tuesday, February 20, 2pm
39 Keziah's Lane, Orleans
Join OCT for a beautiful walk along nearly 1 mile of shoreline with outstanding views of Pleasant Bay.
Meet at 39 Keziah's Lane.
Limited participation; advanced registration required.
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"Postcards from Plants" with C.L. Fornari | |
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Tuesday, February 27, 6:30pm
"Postcards from Plants" Lecture with C.L. Fornari
Nauset Regional Middle School Auditorium, 70 MA-28, Orleans
What if you could get postcards from Mother Nature, the Green Man, and plants themselves, giving you pithy information about how to be a better garden maker and plant lover? Author and creative gardening expert C.L. Fornari guides us to look at human involvement with gardens and indoor plants from nature’s point of view, using the natural world as our first “search engine.”
This program is sponsored by Brewster Conservation Trust, Garden Club of Brewster, Nauset Garden Club, and Orleans Conservation Trust.
The lecture will be held at the Nauset Regional Middle School Auditorium, 70 MA-28, Orleans, MA.
Limited participation; advanced registration required.
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Volunteer Workday: 37 Eli Rogers Road | |
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Wednesday, February 28, 10:00am-3:30pm
37 Eli Rogers Road, Orleans
Join us on Wednesday, February 28, for an all-day pile burn as we support our restoration efforts at Eli Rogers Road. Volunteers are welcome to participate in the burn and come and go at their convenience. We'll also be dedicating time towards invasive species removal and forestry thinning as time permits.
Please come prepared with work gloves, non-synthetic clothing, lots of water, and loppers or handsaws if you have them.
Limited on-site parking is available, so carpooling is encouraged to make the most of the available space.
Please contact Tom to sign up and for any questions you may have.
Please note: this project is subject to appropriate fire conditions, which are determined by external organizations. In the event the project is cancelled, those who register will be contacted the morning of the 28th.
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Upcoming Walks:
- Woods Cove (2/1)
- Kent's Point (2/20)
- Twinings Pond (3/13)
- Orleans Watershed (4/12)
- John Kenrick Woods (5/16)
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Upcoming Talks:
- "Postcards from Plants" with C.L. Fornari (2/27)
- "Picking Your Battles with Invasive Plants" with Karro Frost (3/26)
- "Undeveloping Land" with Mark Robinson (4/30)
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Why consider planting native plants? Incorporating native plants in your yard offers ecological benefits by promoting biodiversity, attracting local pollinators and wildlife, and fostering a resilient ecosystem. Aesthetically, native plants enhance the natural beauty of landscapes, reflecting regional identity. Their adaptation to local conditions often leads to low-maintenance gardens, reducing or eliminating the need for irrigation or fertilizers and providing a visually appealing and sustainable alternative to non-native species.
Click here for a list of native plants, and check back monthly for more At Home with Nature tips!
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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. | | | | |
