No Bottom Pond Sanctuary

Brewster, Massachusetts, 27 acres – 1996

Named for the clean, three-acre pond — one of the steepest kettlehole ponds on the Cape — that it borders, No Bottom Pond sanctuary includes over 27 acres of undeveloped natural woodland. Orenda purchased this property in 1996 in part because it has been classified as a rare and endangered species habitat for plants and animals by the State National Heritage Program. One of the reasons that the property received this designation was that it contains nearly 40,000 square feet of sand plain grassland, an unusual plant community and a high priority for protection. The property abuts over 5 acres of Town of Brewster conservation land and is adjacent to powerlines, which are used as an east-west corridor for migrating wildlife. The property was purchased from the heirs of a man who had used the property to operate a horseback riding summer camp in the 1960’s.

Observed/Protected Species
No Bottom Pond Sanctuary has been classified as a rare and endangered species habitat for plants and animals by the State National Heritage Program.

Abutting Land/Surrounding Area
The sanctuary is surrounded by six house lots, each approximately 1.5 acres. One lot contains <40,000 square feet of sand plain grassland, an unusual plat community and a high priority for protection. The Town of Brewster owns 5.6 landlocked acres of conservation land abutting the Orenda sanctuary. The property also abuts Ocean Edge Resort golf course, a small town-owned cemetery, and is adjacent to Commonwealth Electric powerlines, which are used as an east-west corridor for migrating wildlife.

How Acquired
Purchased by Orenda

Restrictions/Approved Uses
According to the deed, “The Premises shall be held as a habitat for wildlife, and any recreational or commercial hunting or trapping, commercial logging, or other commercial or residential uses or the development of the Premises is prohibited with the exception that a caretaker’s residence may be constructed with prior written approval of The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts.”

Directions: Take Route 6 to Exit 11 Harwich. Drive north on Route 137 for roughly 1.8 miles. The western end of the sanctuary is marked by an Orenda signboard along the road on the right opposite the mailbox number 1032. Then continue north on Route 137 and turn into Ocean Edge if you wish to view more of the property. From the gatehouse drive 6/10s of a mile and take a right at the sign Eaton Village. Drive 200 feet or so, pass under the wires and take the small paved road on your right. This becomes a gravel road for 6/10ths of a mile. Park at the end. Orenda sign is visible on the left at the edge of the forest.