Located in the bucolic Central Massachusetts town of Princeton, Wachusett Meadow is a remarkably peaceful yet diverse wildlife sanctuary. Here, you can explore 12 miles of trails that traverse more than 1,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and meadows.
But there’s more to Wachusett Meadow than meets the eye. Teacher Naturalist Cindy Dunn shares just a few of the sanctuary’s special features.
Views Uninterrupted (For Now)
On clear days, look northwest from Brown Hill summit to see the rocky slopes of Mount Monadnock, 30 miles distant. The sweeping views to the south include Fieldstone Farm, a 300-acre parcel abutting the sanctuary. Currently up for sale, Mass Audubon is working with the Princeton Land Trust to purchase and permanently conserve the property. But time is running out. Find out how you can help save this view >
Leave it to Beavers
Beavers have created habitat throughout Wachusett Meadow including an 85-acre marsh that is the largest wetland on the sanctuary. American Bittern, Green Heron, river otters, and moose are among the species taking advantage of beaver engineering.
A Road Less Traveled
West Trail is an abandoned roadbed and formally the Barre Turnpike, an 1820’s toll road providing improved stagecoach travel along the route from Boston. The varied habitats adjacent to this trail make it a great spot to enjoy the chorus of frogs in spring, birds in summer, and insects in fall.
Frequent Flyers
The birds aren’t the only thing airborne at Wachusett Meadow. The sanctuary is a certified Monarch Waystation and participates in research by tagging adult monarchs in migration. And its dragonfly list currently stands at an impressive 84 species, one of the highest numbers at a Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary! You won’t want to miss the swarms of robust, acrobatic darners on a late summer day.
Natural Materials
Over 25 miles of stone walls thread through Wachusett Meadow, visible along nearly every trail. The walls are favorite travel routes for weasels, squirrels, chipmunks, and bobcats. Milky quartz also occurs abundantly at Wachusett Meadow including some impressively large chunks and boulders. Check out Fern Forest Trail, Brook Trail, and Brown Hill Loop especially.
Want to learn more? Attend Stone by Stone: The Magnificent History of Wachusett Meadow’s Stone Walls, at Wachusett Meadow on May 21. This free talk and walk is part of Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area’s 2016 Hidden Treasures program.