How OCT Protects Land
The Trust acquires land for conservation in a variety of ways. Generous, preservation-minded landowners make gifts of land (owned by OCT and conserved in perpetuity), establish Conservation Restrictions on their land, or arrange to sell land to OCT.
But as land becomes more valuable, setting aside new land for open space becomes ever more challenging. Sometimes it takes a village — or at least a neighborhood — to help the Trust raise enough funds to purchase a piece of land that’s special to people who live nearby, or to the entire community. A property may protect treasured views or water quality or rural character; it may offer the potential for a wildlife corridor or a peaceful trail.
OCT has over a half-century of experience in protecting land in Orleans, and a track record of bringing people together to make it happen. Providing our expertise, leveraging grant opportunities, and working with committed residents who help organize neighbors and step forward with contributions, OCT has successfully completed land acquisitions that at first seemed dauntingly difficult. Such projects help build community and offer immense satisfaction to those who had a hand in permanently protecting treasured places in their own backyard.
Current Land Acquisition Projects
Reuben's Pond Woodlands Expansion: Protecting water quality and wildlife habitat
OCT has until June 15th, 2027, to protect 1.14 acres of woodland alongside one of OCT’s most popular trails. The 170 Brick Hill Road lot would expand on nearly 35 acres of protected land comprising OCT’s Ice House & Reuben’s Ponds Conservation Area.
The mature pine-oak woodlands here offer important habitat in an otherwise densely developed part of East Orleans. The Ice House & Reuben’s Ponds Conservation Area is a favorite birding spot for finding migrating warblers refueling before continuing their journeys. The state has also identified this area as important for vernal pool wildlife; amphibians like spotted salamanders that breed in nearby vernal pools need a significant buffer of protected surrounding upland in order to survive and thrive.
The buildable lot sits just uphill from Reuben’s Pond and groundwater from the site flows toward Town Cove, an impaired water body. Preventing development here would protect those water bodies from additional nutrient pollution (this area is not scheduled for sewering). Further, were it developed, the house would loom over OCT’s beloved trail that runs between Ice House and Reuben’s Ponds.
The owners, Marnie Campbell and Alexandra Campbell Eldar, have a long relationship with OCT and have offered a significant discount on the land’s appraised value. To protect this land, we need to raise $525,000 by June 15, 2027. Read our September 2026 press release to learn more about this campaign.
Donate today to expand the Ice House & Reuben’s Pond Conservation Area for clean water and protected wildlife habitat.
Pilgrim Lake Overlook: Protecting a Scenic Landscape and Clean Water
OCT has an opportunity to protect 0.71 acres of undeveloped land at 149 Monument Road, preserving a beautiful, iconic overlook of Pilgrim Lake. Framed by two historic homes, the property is an important part of the neighborhood’s rural and historic character.
Protecting this land will also benefit water quality. Because the property is not included in the Town’s sewering plan, preventing development will avoid additional nitrogen pollution from another septic system; groundwater from the site flows toward Pleasant Bay. The parcel is also mapped as BioMap Critical Natural Landscape and connects to a natural, vegetated corridor extending downhill to the only active herring run in Orleans.
OCT has negotiated to purchase the property well below its $630,000 assessed value. We hope the Town will partner in the cost of the acquisition, and we need to raise $550,000 to make this conservation opportunity a reality.
Donate today to preserve the Pilgrim Lake overlook, protect clean water, and conserve a special piece of Orleans.
Recent Land Protection Projects
- Cedar Pond Shore Land (32 Locust Road): 3.78 acres of ecologically valuable land including 620 feet of shoreline on Orleans’ fourth-largest freshwater pond, protecting local wildlife habitat and the water quality of Cedar Pond and Rock Harbor Creek. Read more about community support for the project and plans for public access in this press release.
- Tonset Road (22 Tonset Road): 2.32 acres of red maple swamp that drains directly into Town Cove, part of Nauset Estuary, protecting water quality and a natural landscape in the heart of town. Read our announcement about the project's success here, or our press release about the environmental significance of the property.
- Shoal Pond Shore (1 Boulder Lane): 1.1 acres on Shoal Pond protected on November 18, 2025 that expands the Twinings Pond Conservation Area and protects shore-front wildlife habitat and water quality. Learn more about the land protection process here.
- Mayflower Point Habitat (19 Pershing Lane): 1.4 acres of pine-oak woodland, protecting Pleasant Bay water quality and providing habitat within a cluster of privately owned wooded lots. Read more about the project here.
- Namequoit Wood Conservation Area: 25.79 acres of waterfront property on Pleasant Bay, making this donation the most valuable upland property OCT has acquired since 1973. Read more about the acquisition in OCT's press release.
- Eli Rodgers Road Woodland and Watershed Protection (33 Eli Rogers Road): 4.5 acres of land serving as an important link between 500 acres of preserved land in Brewster and the 500-acre protected Orleans Watershed. Watch a Lower Cape TV video about the project here.
Reuben's Pond Woodlands Expansion
By the Numbers
Pilgrim Lake Overlook
Pilgrim Lake Overlook by the Numbers
Acres to be conserved: 0.71
Fundraising goal: $550,000
Fundraising deadline: June 15, 2027
Key attributes: Priceless view of Pilgrim Lake; water quality protection for Lonnie’s Pond and Pleasant Bay; natural, vegetated corridor extending downslope to a herring run