Our Sanctuaries

Plympton, 19 acres – 2019 In January, a freshly-recorded deed added 19 acres of woods to Orenda’s portfolio. The land was donated by the Amazeen Family. This valuable acquisition includes acreage at the head of the Jones River Brook in Plympton, an important watershed. Note: Orenda has two sanctuaries in the Town of Plympton, in Plymouth…

In late summer of 2018, Orenda Wildlife Land Trust exchanged land with the Barnstable Land Trust (BLT.) We gave BLT 4.52 acres next to their headquarters in West Barnstable. In return, BLT gifted Orenda this parcel measuring .69 acres next to the existing Smith’s Dock and the Margaret Wyman Sanctuaries. Orenda has reserved the right…

76 Cheoh Road, Cotuit, .5 acre – 2018 In July, a half-acre undeveloped lot was donated to Orenda by four neighbors in a Cotuit neighborhood. These folks banded together to purchase the lot that abuts a wetland. It looks like a miniature forest with its vibrant understory of native plants, and canopy of pine and…

West Barnstable, Russo Family donation, 5 acres – 2018 Along 6A in West Barnstable there’s a five-acre plot that was donated to Orenda by the Russo Family. What a special area this is: a mix of wooded uplands with a red cedar grove and a maple swamp with cattails. This property is across the street…

West Barnstable 3.43 acres – 2017 Margaret Wyman Sanctuary is 3.43 acres of woodland and open sunny areas that the endangered Terrapin turtles have favored for many years. This parcel is next to our Smith’s Dock property and across the road from our new property given to us by the Barnstable Land Trust in a…

West Barnstable Brick Company 6.97 acres – 2013 Orenda received the West Barnstable Brick Company site in March 2013 from the Pogorelc Family. This iconic firm closed in 1932. Walking trails now exist along the same route of former cart paths used by the brick company. This area includes a freshwater pond formed from an…

The David H. Simser Island Sanctuary, .68 Acre – 2012 The David H. Simser Island Sanctuary—Carver Island is in the middle of Shallow Pond in Centerville, Mass. It’s comprised of wooded upland: beech, maple, and oak trees, and small holly seedlings. Carver Island is within a state designated priority habitat for rare species, and core…

Witch Pond Sanctuary, 27 Acres, New Seabury – 2012 The Witch Pond Sanctuary measures 27 acres in New Seabury, and are predominately wetlands including an old cranberry bog and two ponds. This property became available to us via the New Seabury Properties as part of their development plan. Directions: From the Mashpee Rotary, drive south on…

The Carl Monge Sanctuary, 13.7 acres – 2010 The Carl Monge Sanctuary was acquired in June 2010 and lies within the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge. It’s surrounded by two critical Orenda properties: the 86-acre Makepeace Sanctuary and the 50-acre Mercy Lowe Sanctuary. The Monge Sanctuary includes pine barrens, a globally rare habitat. The Weeden Family…

The Tom and Georgia French Family Sanctuary, 20 acres – 2008 For years, Tom and Georgia French spent many happy hours with friends and family on this land in the middle of Middlefield, Massachusetts, picking blueberries, hiking, camping and going on nature walks—the land was given to Tom and Georgia by close friends Jackie and…