OCT is one of many land trusts around the United States, Massachusetts, and Cape Cod—all of them dedicated to conserving natural resources in their communities. OCT has developed important relationships with neighboring and regional land trusts, as well as with the diverse community of other organizations engaged in conservation work on Cape Cod. Partnering with kindred organizations that share our commitment to preserving and restoring our natural environment enables us to extend our reach and increase our impact.
The greater conservation community we belong to includes:
The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts
The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, Inc., is the umbrella association for the Cape’s land trusts, representing 26 land trusts and related groups. A private, nonprofit organization formed in 1986, the compact provides professional assistance to OCT and other private land trusts in our efforts to acquire and protect land and watersheds. Working with both public and private partners, the compact’s small staff of environmental professionals facilitates coordinated conservation efforts in Cape Cod communities. A key partner to OCT, it provides a wide variety of services to its members, including technical assistance with land acquisition projects, site planning and land management, fundraising and grant proposal writing, environmental research, and public education.
“On the Cape, land trusts like OCT have the advantages and the power of working locally in the community, while tapping into the Cape’s notable reputation for having the strongest regional environmental support organizations in Massachusetts. It is an engine of success for conservation, as proven over many years.”
— Mark H. Robinson, Executive Director, The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, Inc.
Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition
The Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition works to advance land protection in Massachusetts by providing education, tools, networking, and advocacy support for land trusts and their partners. The organization unifies, strengthens, and connects more than 130 land trusts in Massachusetts to preserve open space, conserve habitat, provide recreational access, protect water quality, promote sustainable agriculture and natural resource management, and engage the community.
OCT participates annually in the Southeastern Massachusetts Land Trust Convocation—a half-day educational program designed to better equip land trusts, and the volunteers that work with them, in carrying out their land-saving missions.
Land Trust Alliance
The Land Trust Alliance is the national voice of the land trust community. LTA serves as the national leader in policy, standards, education, and training. It works passionately to support land trusts such as OCT so we can save and secure more lands now and for future generations.
Orleans Pond Coalition
The Orleans Pond Coalition, Inc. is a volunteer organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the saltwater estuaries and freshwater ponds and lakes of Orleans. Its work includes offering educational programs to encourage mindful land use practices; sponsoring water quality research; working with community, regional, and state organizations to formulate constructive policies to protect our environment, waterways, and livelihoods; and informing the public of the status of ongoing initiatives.
OCT takes part in the Pond Coalition’s annual “Celebrate our Waters” weekend, which showcases our watery natural resources and highlights the need for protective measures to sustain them. OCT also provides storage and meeting space for OPC to conduct its important work
Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary offers a preserve, research center, and educational programs in a beautiful setting on the hillsides and shoreline overlooking Wellfleet Harbor. Extensive trails lead walkers through a panoramic salt marsh, sandy barrier beach, and pine woodlands, each attracting a wide array of wildlife. The sanctuary features a universally accessible trail and an award-winning “green” nature center with numerous exhibits and aquariums.
OCT has partnered with the sanctuary to create the Bob Prescott Turtle Gardens in our White’s Lane Conservation Area. Working together, we maintain multiple sandy gardens close to the water’s edge for threatened Northern diamondback terrapin turtles. Volunteers from the Mass Audubon sanctuary check the gardens both morning and evening during the spring to watch for females laying eggs.
Association to Preserve Cape Cod
The Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC) works to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of Cape Cod, so that Cape Cod waters are restored and protected, natural landscapes and wildlife habitat are preserved, and growth respects the character of town centers and rural lands. The organization is an important partner to OCT in its work for the adoption of laws, policies, and programs that protect and enhance Cape Cod's natural resources and quality of life. OCT has been pleased to host many speakers from the association as part of our lecture series over the years.
Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod
OCT is one of nine founding partners of Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod (PPCC), a regional initiative to increase pollinator-friendly habitats and food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating insects and wildlife across Cape Cod. PPCC encourages residents to add native plants, subtract a little lawn, avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and to leave the leaves, since many pollinators over winter in leaf matter.