Orleans Trust Fundraising To Secure Brick Hill Road Property

ORLEANS – A fundraising effort is underway to preserve just over an acre of pine oak woodland on Brick Hill Road.

The Orleans Conservation Trust is looking to raise $525,000 to secure the 1.14 acres of land at 170 Brick Hill Rd. by June of next year, the trust announced in a press release.

The acquisition would expand the existing 35 acres of protected land that makes up the Ice House and Reuben’s Pond conservation area, a popular spot for bird watchers and “an important habitat for vernal pool wildlife,” according to the trust.

Protecting the property would preserve the existing wildlife habitat and protect water quality. It would also protect the property’s trail system from future development.

Marnie Campbell and Alexandra Campbell Eldar, who own the Brick Hill Road property, offered the land to the trust “at a significant discount.”

“This is one of those properties where protecting a relatively small piece of land can have an impact well beyond its boundaries,” Stephen O’Grady, the trust’s executive director, said in the release. “It connects to a much larger area of protected land, provides important habitat, and helps protect Reuben’s Pond and Town Cove. We’re grateful to the landowners for making this opportunity possible and are asking the community to help us see it through.” 

Eldar said she grew up playing with the native wildlife in the woods behind her home, including toads, red salamanders, bullfrogs, and snapping and painted turtles.

“Nature is very important to me and my mother, and we are thrilled to be working with the OCT to preserve this property,” she said in the release.

Tom Callahan and his wife, Giselle, are neighbors to the Brick Hill Road property and have been instrumental in organizing their fellow neighbors in support of the project.

"This is our backyard,” Tom said. “Protecting this land today is the only way to ensure the Ice House and Rueben's Ponds remain clean, wild and part of daily life for everyone who calls this neighborhood and town home.” 

The trust has a June 15 deadline by which to raise the $525,000 needed for the purchase. The trust plans to apply for a $250,000 state grant that could cover close to half of that figure. It is expected the trust will learn whether or not it received the grant by the end of the year.
To learn more about the project or to donate, visit OrleansConservationTrust.org.