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
1 Boulder Lane: An Extension to Twinings Pond Conservation Area
OCT has a time-limited opportunity to protect 1.1 acres including 158 feet of frontage on Shoal Pond in South Orleans. The last buildable lot in the Quanset Harbor Club was slated for development when OCT, buoyed by support from neighbors, stepped in to try to prevent that outcome. OCT has already raised over half of the $940,000 needed to protect the property, but we have only until June 30 to complete the project. OCT has taken a loan that enabled our partners at The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts to take title, giving OCT time to raise the remaining funds and to repay the loan.
The lot sits just across Lake Drive from OCT’s Twinings Pond Conservation Area, and protecting the land will expand a habitat stronghold, including securing a wildlife corridor between Twinings and Shoal Ponds. Preserving this land will also protect water quality; the wooded property filters groundwater to buffer our drinking water supply and the freshwater Shoal Pond. Preventing development and another septic system will reduce the flow of harmful nutrients and other pollutants into the saltwater Quanset Pond and Pleasant Bay.
Another major benefit of protecting the property from development is preserving a scenic view along almost 400 feet of frontage on Lake Drive and Boulder Lane. Of note, the lot’s topography and the required setback from the pond would necessitate any home being constructed to be situated very close to the road, creating an eyesore for the neighborhood and walkers completing the loop around Twinings Pond.
DONATE NOW to protect 1 Boulder Lane!
Recent Land Acquisition Projects
Namequoit Wood Conservation Area
On June 27, 2024, an anonymous donor gave OCT a 25.79-acre waterfront property on Pleasant Bay. The donation is the largest and most valuable upland property OCT has acquired since 1973. It also abuts additional OCT-protected land, making for 50 acres of contiguous conservation land. With this large gift, the Trust has surpassed a significant milestone: 700 acres protected in Orleans.
The land, named Namequoit Wood Conservation Area at the request of the donor, is largely forested and includes a state-certified vernal pool and 640 feet of Pleasant Bay beachfront. The property hosted a portion of Camp Viking (1920s through 1980s), one of several summer camps on Pleasant Bay where hundreds of boys sailed, practiced archery, and played softball.
A modest home, two small bunkhouses, a boathouse, and a garage will be removed by OCT, consistent with the donor’s wishes. The area will be seeded with a native grass and wildflower mix, which will jumpstart the rewilding effort.
Because the property’s primary purpose will be habitat preservation, public access will be limited to OCT guided walks. Read more about the acquisition in OCT’s press release.
Eli Rogers Road Woodland and Watershed Protection
OCT acted carefully but expeditiously in partnership with The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, who took out a loan and purchased over 5 acres at 33 Eli Rogers Road for $1M on June 30, 2023, giving OCT an opportunity to raise the funds to protect the property.
The land included a 4-bedroom home in decent condition, and OCT removed two neglected, aging cottages, restoring the area to its natural state to enhance habitat value, protect water quality, and add climate resilience. The 4-bedroom home was resold, which allowed for the protection of 4.5 acres at an attractive price, while still reducing the number of houses and septic systems on the property.
33 Eli Rogers serves as an important link between preserved land in Brewster and the 500-acre protected Orleans Watershed. It’s recognized by the state for being especially important for the protection of drinking water (Mass DEP Zone II Groundwater Protection District), and it includes habitat for rare species, as well as vernal pool wildlife breeding habitat. Because of its proximity to the Watershed, it also provides opportunities for enhanced public access to that large tract of forest.
Watch a Lower Cape TV video about the project here!
If you'd like to replenish OCT's Land Acquisition Fund so we can continue to take advantage of more opportunities like this one at a moment's notice, you can restrict your donation to that purpose through an online donation. Thank you!
1 Boulder Lane
By the Numbers
Acres to be conserved: 1.1
Buildable lots: 1
Purchase price: $925,000
Fundraising goal: $940,000
Fundraising Deadline: June 30, 2025
Key attributes: 158 feet of frontage on Shoal Pond (6th largest pond in Orleans); habitat connectivity to over 100 acres of preserved land; 1.1 acres within Quanset Pond recharge area
