The Orleans Conservation Trust protects and restores natural lands — for people and wildlife, the health of our waters, and the character of our community. | |
Vote "YES" on Warrant Article 16! | |
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Orleans Town Meeting
Monday, May 13, 6pm
Nauset Regional Middle School Gym
The Orleans Town Meeting Warrant includes an opportunity for the Town to protect 3.69 acres at 33 Eli Rogers Road that are critical for drinking water and wildlife habitat protection.
In 2023 The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts purchased land on Eli Rogers Road for $999,000, in partnership with OCT. The land is adjacent to the Town of Orleans main wellfield and public drinking water supply as well as additional protected land in Brewster. OCT has secured a State grant for $175,000 and seeks $200,000 from the Town Community Preservation Fund towards its purchase from The Compact of 3.69 acres. The appraised value of that acreage is $700,000, meaning the Town can protect this land at about 29% of its true value. OCT will own the 3.69 acres subject to a conservation restriction held by the Town of Orleans. An additional acre with an existing house was resold for residential use.
The following Town of Orleans committees have all supported the project:
- Select Board
- Finance Committee
- Conservation Commission
- Community Preservation Committee
- Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners
- Marine & Freshwater Quality Committee
- Open Space Committee
Read more about the project, see photos of the property, and see the latest on OCT’s Fundraising progress here.
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Learn from Orleans Students | |
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Last year, OCT launched a new partnership with Orleans schools, awarding nearly $18,000 to Orleans Elementary School (OES) and Nauset Regional Middle School (NRMS) to enhance environmental education through a variety of creative projects.
As the pilot grant year comes to a close, we invite OCT members to learn about the exciting grant projects from students and staff.
Space is limited—sign up today!
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Friday, May 17, 12:45pm
Orleans Elementary School
Step into second-grade classrooms and engage in student-run stations centered around clean water and Boland Pond.
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Wednesday, June 5, 3pm
Nauset Regional Middle School
View projects related to native plants, pond water health, and studies with nature cameras in the library, followed by an outdoor walk along Boland Pond.
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Thursday, May 16, 11am-12:30pm
35 Namequoit Road, Orleans
Join OCT for this historically-rich walk of about 1 mile through a white pine grove; see specimens of the rare American chestnut.
Limited participation; advanced registration required.
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Garlic Mustard Removal at Cullen Conservation Area | |
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Tuesday, May 14, 9:30-11:30am
10 Oliver's Way, Orleans
Join OCT in a garlic mustard removal project at the Cullen Conservation Area. A persistent and destructive invasive species, garlic mustard is a plant you've likely seen all around Orleans, if not in your yard. Before the plant goes to seed later in the season, volunteers can help minimize invasion by learning and practicing control methods.
Please bring work gloves and water. This project has a low intensity, and tools are not needed.
Parking can be found along Nauset Heights Road.
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Trail Maintenance at Mill Pond Valley | |
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Wednesday, May 22, 9:30-11:30am
13 Champlain Road, Orleans
Spend the morning giving our trails some love at Mill Pond Valley! Following an AmeriCorps Cape Cod workday earlier in the week, volunteers will help support and maintain trail connections. The project may consist of trail grading, pruning, and footbridge/bog bridge reinforcement ahead of the summer season.
Volunteers should bring water and work gloves.
Please contact Tom to sign up, coordinate tools, and for any questions you may have.
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OCT Office Demonstration Garden Sessions | |
Do you want more native plants in your home landscape, but don't know where to start? Sign up to volunteer and learn more about OCT's native plant demonstration garden at our office (203 South Orleans Road). As a volunteer, you will be contacted when OCT staff schedules garden maintenance days. Each workday will consist of a short 10-minute lesson that corresponds with the time of year and will be followed by garden work and opportunities to have your questions answered. Email Tom if you are interested in signing up for this program. | |
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Saturday, June 8, 9-11am (At Home with Nature Sessions at 9:30 and 10:30)
203 South Orleans Road, Orleans
Join OCT for our sixth annual plant sale, which will have a native pollinator plant theme. Beautify your garden while supporting native wildlife and pollinators. Proceeds will benefit OCT’s land-saving work!
While you're here to pick up some wildlife-friendly plants, stop into one of our mini education sessions to learn about OCT's At Home with Nature initiative, which provides homeowners with information and tools to practice nature-friendly landscaping. Attendees will also learn about the example OCT is setting at our office, restoring the surrounding landscape, including removal of turf lawn and installation of pollinator gardens and future plans for invasive plant control and the addition of a rain garden.
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Upcoming Walks:
- John Kenrick Woods (5/16)
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At Home with Nature
Nature-friendly practices you can adopt for your yard
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Why should I help pollinators?
Pollinators, like bees and butterflies, play a vital role in plant reproduction and ecosystem health. To create a garden that attracts and supports them, choose a variety of native flowering plants with diverse colors and shapes. Provide a water source, and don’t use pesticides to protect pollinators. Plant in clusters to create attractive foraging areas. Incorporating plants that bloom throughout the seasons ensures a continuous food supply. Click to learn more about Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod.
Check back monthly for more At Home with Nature tips, and visit our new webpage!
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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. | | | | |
