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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It was a packed house and standing-room-only at OCT's annual meeting this past Tuesday! Trust business, presented by OCT President Kevin Galligan, included a celebration of the recently donated Namequoit Wood Conservation Area, introduction of our new membership year (now Jan 1—Dec 31), a thank you to outgoing board members Sue Meisinger and Pete Van Oot, and a welcome to our three new board members: Carolyn Auty, David Herrick, and Lynn Van Norman.
Executive Director Steve O'Grady updated members and supporters on OCT's growth over the past year, including the Eli Rogers Road Woodland and Watershed protection, an overview of At Home with Nature, OCT's work with Orleans schools, the growth of our White Cedar Society, and our evolving staff.
Tom Keras, Director of Land Stewardship, shared highlights and opportunities from the past year, as well as the philosophies and guiding actions that shape OCT's presence on the lands we steward.
Deb Reuman, OCT's treasurer, presented our financial report and overview of OCT's investments and assets, as well as a breakdown of our operating budget. We can't do our work without your financial help—thank you for being a supporter!
With everyone updated on all things OCT, the mic was turned over to Carole Ridley, who shared updates on the largest estuary restoration project in the Northeast—the Herring River Restoration in Wellfleet. (Learn more here!)
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Welcome New Trustees and Staff! | |
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Sam O'Neill
Land Stewardship Technician
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Sam O'Neill recently joined OCT as our new Land Steward Technician, after serving with AmeriCorps Cape Cod this past year.
Learn more about Sam, as well as our new trustees Carolyn, David, and Lynn here.
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"Fundamentals of Pollinator Gardening" | |
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Wednesday, September 4, 6:30pm
CHO Meetinghouse
3 River Road, Orleans
The past two decades have seen a swell of enthusiasm for pollinator gardening in the United States. Depending on where you look, the advice for how to best help pollinators can vary greatly, and can sometimes lead to confusion.
Join Dr. Nick Dorian to learn the fundamentals and the science of pollinator gardening. We’ll learn to identify common pollinators in the garden, what floral and nesting resources those pollinators need, and what actions you can take to ensure their needs are met in every season. Whether you are a seasoned native gardener, or just starting out on your pollinator garden journey, this talk will have something new for you!
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“Design with Nature on Cape Cod: Meeting Nature Halfway” | |
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Tuesday, September 10, 6:30pm
Orleans Yacht Club
39 Cove Road, Orleans
Landscape design featuring native plants helps reduce water and pesticide use, supports native pollinators, and strengthens a sense of place. By starting with an understanding of of site ecology, a designer can mix natives with other species to create beautiful gardens with multi-season interest, among other benefits. Based on Dr. Jack Ahern’s 2022 book Design with Nature on Cape Cod and the Islands.
Doors open at 6pm with a cash bar; the lecture begins at 6:30pm.
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Sunday, September 15, 9am-1pm
Meet at south end of Nauset Beach Parking Lot
OCT leads this walk as part of Orleans Pond Coalition’s Celebrate Our Waters weekend. Walk 5 miles (round trip), including strenuous portions over soft sand, to this hidden gem within the National Seashore.
Limited participation and spots left; advanced registration required.
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Bioblitz: Moerschner Property | |
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Wednesday, September 4, 9:30-11:30am
20 Cheney Road, Orleans
Interested in finding out which species call OCT properties home? Come help us and our Biodiversity Seekers as we catalog all living things we find at 20 Cheney Rd.
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Please arrive with a fully charged phone, long pants and sleeves, water, and any other personal items you may need for off trail travel.
Meet at 20 Cheney Road, Orleans.
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Invasive Plant Removal at Henson's Cove | |
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Thursday, September 12, 9:30-11:30am
Meet at 203 South Orleans Road, Orleans
Help us support OCT’s habitat restoration efforts at Henson’s Cove with an invasive species removal project.
Please bring work gloves, proper clothes, water, and any other personal items you may need for off trail travel.
We will meet at OCT’s Office located at 203 S. Orleans Rd and drive to Henson’s Cove as a group to reduce vehicle traffic.
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Saturday, September 14, 12:30-1:30pm
203 South Orleans Road, Orleans
In support of the Orleans Pond Coalition’s 2024 Celebrate Our Waters event, OCT is installing a rain garden to act as a filter for water runoff from our parking lot. Come learn about how rain gardens protect our groundwater and provide valuable wildlife habitat as we install our very own!
Please bring gloves, water, and any other personal items you may need.
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Meadow Bog Eco-Restoration Maintenance | |
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Wednesday, September 18, 9:30-11:30am
174 Quanset Road, Orleans
Join us as we remove those pesky invasive plants that have regrown within the recent restoration area by the Meadow Bog Trailhead (174 Quanset Rd).
Please bring work gloves, proper clothes for off-trail travel, water, and any other personal items you may need.
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Terrapin Hatching Season is Here! | |
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After a long, hot summer, diamondback terrapins are ready to emerge. Volunteers help excavate nests, weigh and measure hatchlings, and collect important data for Mass Audubon.
Interested in helping? Please reach out to Eamon Caffrey, ecaffrey@massaudubon.org.
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Orleans Pond Coalition's Celebrate Our Waters 2024 | |
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This is Orleans Pond Coalition's signature event of the year, now bigger and better than ever! OPC is offering dozens of events around Orleans to celebrate the beauty of our environment and our waters. Tour Orleans' new wastewater treatment plant, bring your family to OCP's Rock Harbor family fun tent, go on eco hikes, kayak tours, sailing, and much, much more!
Click the image below to see the full schedule and details.
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Upcoming Walks:
- Hike to Pochet Island (9/15)
- Get to Know OCT Walk (10/3)
- Woods Cove (10/10)
- Three Ponds (11/13)
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Upcoming Talks:
- "Fundamentals of Pollinator Gardening" (9/4) by Nick Dorian
- "Designing with Nature on Cape Cod: Meeting Nature Halfway" by Jack Ahern (9/10)
- "Coexisting with Our Wild Neighbors" by Stephanie Ellis (10/9)
- "Birds, Bees, and Butterflies in Your Backyard" by Mark Faherty (11/6)
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October Sneak Peak:
- 10/3: Get to Know OCT Walk: join OCT trustees for a leisurely stroll through one of our gorgeous conservation areas.
- 10/4: Preschool Explorers with Andrea Higgins: Our youngest nature adventurers, ages 2-5, are invited to bring their caregivers to these free programs that include a short walk, a story, and an activity in nature. Stay tuned for registration details!
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10/9: "Coexisting with Our Wild Neighbors" Lecture: Stephanie Ellis, Wild Care’s executive director, will discuss human impacts on the lives of our native wildlife and offer tips for how we can all coexist. She will suggest alternatives to rodenticides for controlling rodent populations, dispel myths about coyotes, and describe how we benefit from Virginia opossums and other creatures that share our outdoor space.
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At Home with Nature
Nature-friendly practices you can adopt for your yard
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What is a Rain Garden?
Rain gardens play a crucial role in managing stormwater runoff by capturing and filtering rainwater, preventing it from overwhelming drainage systems. Designed with native plants that absorb and slow water flow, rain gardens reduce erosion and promote groundwater recharge. This eco-friendly approach not only mitigates flooding but also conserves water resources by encouraging natural infiltration. Read about how to build a rain garden here.
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. | | | | |
