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

A Guide to Fall Foliage

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Hillary T.

All across Massachusetts, the landscape is lighting up with the brilliant colors of fall. Get the most of the season from great fall hikes to photography tips.

Top 10 Fall Foliage Hikes

The diversity of plant species across Mass Audubon’s wildlife sanctuaries means you can experience the radiance of fall foliage in an incredible variety of ways. We’ve gathered together 10 spectacular autumn hikes at wildlife sanctuaries across Massachusetts to inspire you to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of the season.

Timing of Fall Foliage

Have you ever noticed that the progression of fall foliage follows a natural schedule? Certain plants become colorful early in the season, and others take their time. Here’s a quick viewer’s guide to autumn color changes.

Fall Photography at Mass Audubon

Mass Audubon’s wildlife sanctuaries are often the perfect place to snap a stunning photo of the landscapes, late-blooming flowers, and wildlife that make fall so special in the Northeast. In fact, many of the sanctuaries offer photography workshops.

See some exquisite fall photographs taken by some of the talented photographers that lead these programs, along with their best advice for lighting, composition, and technique to capture the highlights of fall in all its splendor.

The Science of Foliage

When you’re checking out nature’s painterly display, do you ever wonder why the leaves change color in the fall? Get the details.

Fall Color Activity Page

This coloring page is full of plants and animals that you can see in the fall—and it is ready for you to color! Download the page and get a quick guide to the species on the page and the colors they are in real life.

Before You Pick Up That Rake

Oh, leaves. There’s so much we love about you. The first sight of your flowers in the spring; the sound you make when you blow in the breeze during summer; your brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange come fall. And then you drop to the ground and become another thing on our to-do list.

If this sounds familiar, don’t fret—we can help. Before you break out the rake, check out our top 5 uses for fall leaves.

Happy leaf-peeping!

Be a Nature Hero: Vote!

Posted on September 25, 2018 by Hillary T.

Ahead of the state and federal elections this fall, Mass Audubon wants elected officials to know that people who are interested in protecting the environment vote. Voting by interested and informed citizens strengthens the impact of Mass Audubon’s legislative advocacy.

Pledge to Vote

We believe that it’s important for Mass Audubon members’ voices to be heard in our elections. Most people just need a small nudge to remember to vote, so Mass Audubon and the Environmental Voter Project are working together to remind you to vote in each election. These simple reminders can dramatically increase someone’s likelihood of voting.

Take the Pledge >

Register to Vote

The voter registration deadline in Massachusetts for the 2018 mid-term election is October 17. You can register to vote, update your voter registration info, and check your registration status online via the Secretary of State’s website.

Already registered? Tell your friends and family to register as well!