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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Championed by Barnstable Land Trust and supported by fifteen local conservation organizations, First Day Hikes Cape Cod is an initiative designed to encourage people to get outdoors with free guided walks and activities to explore Cape Cod’s parks, trails, and natural resources.
Now in its fourth year, participating nonprofit and conservation organizations include the 300 Committee Land Trust (Falmouth), Barnstable Land Trust, Brewster Conservation Trust, Chatham Conservation Foundation, Dennis Conservation Land Trust, Friends of Bass River (Dennis), Friends of Herring River (Wellfleet/Truro), Harwich Conservation Trust, Native Land Conservancy, Nye Museum, Orenda Wildlife Land Trust, Orleans Conservation Trust, Sandwich Conservation Trust, Salt Pond Bird Sanctuaries (Bourne), Wareham Land Trust, and Wellfleet Conservation Trust.
Click here to see the full list of activities, happening from 6:45am-3pm on New Year's Day.
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Thursday, January 16, 1:30-3pm
35 Namequoit Road, Orleans
Rich in local history, this 1-mile walk meanders through a white pine grove containing specimens of the rare American chestnut.
Limited participation; advanced registration required.
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"Edible and Native Landscaping" Lecture | |
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Wednesday, January 22, 6:30pm
3 River Road, Orleans
Join Dave Scandurra of Edible Landscapes and Food Forest Initiative for a workshop about nature-friendly landscaping. Dave has spent the last 12 years helping people build a deeper connection with nature in their yards through edible and native landscaping. He believes that the more we learn about the plants and natural world around us, the more we will appreciate and protect it.
The lecture will take place at the CHO Meetinghouse, 3 River Road, Orleans. Doors open at 6pm; lecture starts at 6:30.
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Pollinator & Rain Gardens at OCT Office | |
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Thursday, January 9, 9:30-11:30am
203 South Orleans Road, Orleans
Join us as we work on our pollinator and rain gardens at the OCT office. We will be reinforcing our rain garden to better capture storm runoff as well as installing locust edging on the borders of our pollinator garden.
Please bring bring water, work gloves, and any personal items you might need.
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Ice House/Reubens Trail Maintenance | |
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Thursday, January 23, 9:30-11:30am
Meet at 203 S Orleans Road, Orleans
Help us maintain the trail at Ice House/Reubens Conservation Area. We have a variety of work available: finishing our locust-step stairway, trimming back greenbrier, and mitigating hazardous conditions on our trail’s tread.
Be sure to dress for off-trail travel and bring work gloves, water, and any personal items you might need.
As parking is limited, we will meet at the OCT office at 203 S. Orleans Rd (MA-28) in Orleans, and carpool to the property.
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Upcoming Walks:
- First Day Hikes Cape Cod (1/1)
- John Kenrick Woods (1/16)
- Paw Wah Point (2/11)
- Twinings Pond (3/19)
- Baker's Pond (4/17)
- Beach Walk to Namskaket (5/21)
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Upcoming Talks:
- "Edible & Native Landscaping" by Dave Scandurra (1/22)
- "Little Bee, Big World" by Blake Dinius (2/6)
- "Nurturing Nature" by Jill Mays (3/11)
- "A History and a Future for Land Conservation on Cape Cod" by Mark Robinson (4/9)
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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. | | | | |
