Big Turnout for Three Ponds Walk

On Saturday morning, Mon Cochran led an educational walk through the Three Ponds Conservation Area, encompassing Twninings Pond, Meadow Bog, and Sarah’s Pond. This area includes over a dozen OCT gifts of land and land purchases, representing over 40 years of hard work by a dedicated group of Orleans residents and neighbors committed to preserving land and water. Having grew up in the area, Mon has seen this conservation land grow, and his own family had the good fortune and foresight that led to the donation of over 58 acres of land to OCT in 1973, still OCT’s largest acquisition in its nearly fifty years in existence. Mon also discussed ecological succession and the other ways in which the land has changed over time. We learned about the ecology, geology and history of the area, from glaciers to pre-European settlement to recent history on conservation successes. Mon also talked about the connection between the land and Pleasant Bay and the development of the Massachusetts Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) Program. We also heard from the Orleans Pond Coalition about a technological demonstration intended to mitigate harmful algal blooms that they hope to begin this spring. Thank you to over 30 attendees who braved the cold and wind to learn more about these ponds and preserved land, we hope to see you at our next event!