Author Archives: Hillary T.

About Hillary T.

Where: Mass Audubon Headquarters, Lincoln Who: Massachusetts transplant by way of Florida and New York. Raising two young girls, who she hopes will be budding naturalists Favorite part of the job: Learning something new every day from some of the smartest and most enthusiastic groups of people

Spring Street Woodlands Success Story

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Hillary T.

Spring StreetThanks to an outpouring of support, Mass Audubon has raised enough funds to conserve the 31-acre Spring Street Woodlands property in Marshfield, officially adding it to North River Wildlife Sanctuary.

Before this achievement, Spring Street Woodlands, owned by the Hale family, was the largest parcel of unprotected land adjacent to the wildlife sanctuary. The forested property is also ecological diverse, providing a home to a range of native and rare species, from the red-backed salamander to mink to ruffed grouse. Adding the 31 acres to North River will create an uninterrupted corridor for wildlife to safely travel and thrive.

Spring Street Woodlands mapThe Spring Street Woodlands property also serves as the source of Hannah Eames Brook, an important freshwater stream that flows through North River Wildlife Sanctuary and into North River, the only state designated scenic and recreational river. By protecting the land, we can help ensure the high water quality of the brook for generations to come.

This addition doesn’t just benefit wildlife and water quality. The existing informal network of well-used trails will remain open for neighbors and the community to enjoy.

“Conserving this land is incredibly beneficial to North River Wildlife Sanctuary, to the wildlife and flora in this area, and to our local community. I’m extremely appreciative that so many people acted so generously and thoughtfully to make this happen,” said Sue MacCallum, South Shore Sanctuaries Director.

To learn more about our land protection efforts like this one, visit our website.

12 Reasons Mass Audubon Camps Rock

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Hillary T.

CampPicWhen you choose a summer camp for your child, we know there’s no shortage of options. We also know that as parents, you’re always looking to provide your kids with the best possible experiences.

Perhaps we’re a bit biased, but we think our camps are the bee’s knees, the snake’s hips, the kipper’s knickers, monkey’s eyebrows, oyster’s earrings* … you get the drift.

Just why do Mass Audubon summer camps rock? In brief:

  1. We’re everywhere! We currently have 17 American Camp Association-accredited day camps from the Cape to the Berkshires, plus Wildwood, our accredited overnight camp in Rindge, New Hampshire.
  2. Kids come home dirty, tired, happy, and hydrated every day they’re at camp.
  3. We’re flexible. Our camps typically offer 1- and 2-week sessions, plus before and after care, allowing our sessions to work with many summertime schedules.
  4. Our campers develop a bond with nature that lasts a lifetime.
  5. Kids build confidence, whether your child is safely completing a challenge course 30 feet up in the trees at Wildwood, learning to identify a red eft, or making new friends in new social situations.
  6. No two sessions are alike. Our camps have organized activities but leave plenty of room for personal exploration and group decisions.
  7. Kids sing, explore, dance, paint, get dirty, and discover that the world is literally at their fingertips.
  8. After camp, parents and families learn a great deal about nature from their very own family nature-guide.
  9. We give families the opportunity to partake in the fun with Family Camp at Wildwood.
  10. Kids flex their science, math, social studies, and language arts muscles without even realizing it.
  11. Did we mention that kids get dirty?
  12. Camps help Mass Audubon advance our mission at a local and statewide level to protect the nature of Massachusetts for future generations to enjoy.

Don’t just believe us, take it from a camper: “The most awesome camp anyone could ever go to. No offense other camps. Fun counselors, awesome games, cool nature.”

Are you a Mass Audubon camper or parent of a camper (past or present)? Tell us what one thing you learned or took away from your Mass Audubon camp experience.

Ready to sign up? Don’t delay as spaces are filling up.

* We just love all of the nonsensical wildlife inspired catchphrases used in the 1920s to indicate something excellent.