The Dennis
Conservation Trust is a private, non-profit 501(3)(c) organization
that seeks to preserve open space within the
Town of Dennis. Since its establishment in 1988, the
Trust has acquired ownership of nearly 400 acres of diverse
land types, including uplands, wetlands and beachfront. The
Trust also holds perpetual conservation restrictions on another
70+ acres.
The Trust has several hundred members, including some who
live at the far corners of the contiguous forty-eight states.
The trustees manage the activities of the Trust - with
much help from numerous volunteers. Member dues fund most
of the operational costs.
Contributions from the membership are also the primary source
of the funds used to purchase land or conservation easements.
Contributions that are not earmarked for a specific purpose
are added to a capital fund so as to have money available
when acquisition opportunities arise.
The Trust also solicits contributions as needed to pay for
specific acquisitions. Grants from business and charitable
organizations provide another significant source of funds
for land acquisition. Special gifts, such as memorial gifts
and contributions made by Will, have become more and more
important as land costs continue to soar.
Most of the Trust's land holdings were acquired by gift,
not purchase. Lifetime grants of real estate and conservation
restrictions are likely to continue as the primary sources
of conservation land. Gifts of real estate by Will are also
expected to provide strong support for the conservation effort.
The Dennis Conservation Trust works closely with The Compact
of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, Inc. The Compact is a Cape-wide
consortium of conservation trusts that provides information,
training, and many kinds of technical assistance to its member
trusts. The Trust has had remarkable success in working with
the Town of Dennis Land Acquisition Committee (Land Bank)
and more recently the Community Preservation Committee to
accomplish mutual conservation goals.
