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

OCT Happenings

We've been busy this month! From volunteer work days to special guests to our annual pollinator-friendly plant sale, take a look at what we've been up to!

Terrapin Volunteer Training

Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary led their annual terrapin training at OCT's Henson's Cove Conservation Area in early June. Volunteers learned how to locate, protect, monitor, and process diamondback terrapin nesting sites. Thanks to these dedicated volunteers! [Terrapin photos: Alex Bates]

Demonstration Garden Planted

Volunteers worked hard last week at the OCT office, planting gallon pots and plugs of native in our new Demonstration Garden—part of our At Home with Nature eco-restoration initiative. It's a work in progress, and we can't wait to watch it grow! Thank you to all who came out and helped plant!

OCT Plant Sale

This past Saturday OCT held our annual plant sale. Lake Farm Gardens, Greenhouse by the Sea, and many generous OCT members provided plants for the sale. Thank you to all who purchased plants, donated to OCT, and contributed to making our community a friendly home for critical pollinators!

Xerces Society at OCT

Kelly Gill and Julie Michaelson of the Xerces Society presented on the importance of pollinators and how to make our local landscape and our community more pollinator friendly. The good news is that you can be part of the solution by contributing to pollinator conservation right in your own yard, neighborhood, town or city through individual actions and/or group initiatives. Thank you to all who joined us at the CHO Meetinghouse. If you missed it, you can find a recording of the lecture here.

Kelly and Julie also stopped by the OCT office for a tour of the newly planted Demonstration Garden!

Diamondback terrapins are listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN Red List, and they're threatened in Massachusetts. Learn more about Mass Audubon's work to protect this special species.

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.