Monthly Archives: October 2022

Fall Fun at Mass Audubon

Posted on October 12, 2022 by Lucy T.

Fall is in full swing, and Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries across the state are hosting a variety of fun programs for people of all ages to get outside and experience all the sights and sounds of fall. From fall foliage-themed hikes to spooky Halloween night walks, there are numerous ways to experience the changing of the seasons with Mass Audubon. 

Experience Fall Foliage  

Fall foliage at Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary

Join a trees through autumn program at Canoe Meadows in Pittsfield on October 22 or High Ledges in Shelburne on November 5 and take a guided walk through a sanctuary as you learn to identify trees from sugar and stripped maples to yellow birch to American beech and various oaks.  

Or, discover why the leaves change color and then fall to the ground and which animals scour the forest floor for acorns and pinecones to snack on during Nature in Fall Family Hike at Laughing Brook in Hampden on October 16. 

Nature-inspired Halloween  

Carved pumpkins at Drumlin Farm

On October 14 and 15 Ipswich River in Topsfield transforms into a magical forest lit with glowing luminaries for Into the Woods, a guided Halloween night hike for families. And on October 28, encounter silly and strange creatures of the night during Long Pasture’s Enchanted Forest in Barnstable.

For an accessible and spooky lantern-lit evening walk, visit Broad Meadow Brook in Worcester on October 22 to experience Boo Meadow Brook, which features costumed characters and the opportunity to look high and low on the All Persons Trail for hidden creatures.  

Boston Nature Center’s Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins! takes place over two days, October 22 and 23, and features pumpkin-themed games, scavenger hunts, the history of pumpkins, and the opportunity to carve your own Jack-O-Lantern.  

And on October 29, take a hayride and a night hike at Wachusett Meadow in Princeton and end the evening with a tasty treat by a campfire! 

Fall Birding 

Northern Mockingbird

Every Friday through the month of October, go on a Fall Bird Migration walk at Blue Hills in Milton to learn how to identify birds by sight and sound.  

Look for migrating songbirds in their subtler fall plumage and wintering ducks who are just arriving in beautiful breeding plumage during a guided fall birding experience at Broadmoor in Natick on October 23.  

Experience Fall Online 

Learn about the unique aspects of nature in fall, from the changing of leaves to how animals prepare for the long winter ahead, from the comfort of your home during Nature in Fall on October 15 and Autumn Wildlife on October 19. 

These programs are just a sample of all the incredible programs that Mass Audubon offers. Explore our program catalog to discover all of the programs being offered this fall. 

Climate Champions

Climate Champions Fall Update

Posted on October 10, 2022 by Hillary T.

This spring, we launched Climate Champions, a grassroots network of volunteers working together to speak with one collective, powerful voice. With training from policy experts, Climate Champions help advocate for town and state policies that help achieve the state’s goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and reverse negative health impacts of climate change for environmental justice communities.   

pic of the state house and a sign in front that says change

How It’s Going

Under the leadership of Community Organizer Heather Packard, we now have 300 Climate Champions signed up and taking action. These champions are all ages and have all levels of experience.

Their first initiative was a June Beacon Hill Lobby Day, where 13 legislators met with groups of champions in person and virtually to find out why we believe it is so important to fund nature-based climate solutions.

June 22 Lobby Day at the State House after meeting with Senator Cyr’s staff. From left: Robert Cohen, Joyce Cohen, Danielle Dolan, Jared Kannel, Carrie Hawthorne, and Heather Packard

Champions also have the opportunity to attend trainings and meet monthly with other Climate Champions in their region as well as statewide monthly calls to learn from Mass Audubon Policy & Advocacy Leadership. For those who couldn’t attend, all meetings are recorded and can be watched anytime!

Each statewide monthly call always has one advocacy action everyone can take to make an impact. So far champions have had the opportunity to:

  • Provide comments to MA Dept of Energy Resources (DOER) speaking up in support of letting cities and towns require fossil-fuel free construction  
  • Weigh in with state Senators to urge them to support investments in open space, recreation, ecological restoration, and climate adaptation in the Economic Development bill. 
  • Create Twitter accounts in preparation for future Action Alerts to state legislators. 
  • Urge the governor to ask him to sign the Climate Bill that would ramp up clean energy production and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. 

What’s Next

Mass Audubon Policy & Advocacy staff are in the process of developing the organization’s legislative and policy priorities for the 2023-2024 legislative session, which runs from January 2023 through the end of July 2024. 

We’re seeking input from all Climate Champions (current and future) on these priorities getting input from all Climate Champions on our state Legislative Priorities for the next session.  

This month, our focus is on getting input on local climate issues and projects for the next year as well as encouraging everyone to vote in collaboration with The Environmental Voter Project. We will also offer a training on how and where to recruit for more Climate Champions. 

Learn More

Everyone can be a Climate Champion–whether you have no time and a lot of experience, or lots of time and no experience, or somewhere in the middle.

Find out more and sign up >