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 Year to Remember

Posted on December 15, 2020 by Hillary T.

The past year has been one like no other. While there have been many challenges, there have also been triumphs. Take a look at just a few highlights that you made possible, and help us accomplish even more next year.

712

Land protected on Cuttyhunk Island

Additional acres protected this past year, thanks to the support of generous individuals, foundations, families, businesses, communities, and public and private conservation partners. This brings total acres protected by Mass Audubon to 38,713 acres.

300,000+

Record numbers of visitors to our wildlife sanctuaries seeking nature as an important respite from the challenges we have faced. To provide even more access to nature, we’re opening new trails so people of all ages and abilities across Massachusetts can explore and enjoy the outdoors.

400

Boston Nature Center’s Youth Climate Summit

Young people brought together through six Youth Climate Summits across the state. These action-oriented climate immersion programs offer students the opportunity to learn about climate change, network with experts, and implement youth-led climate action solutions throughout their schools and communities.

6th

Edition of Losing Ground published. Losing Ground: Nature’s Value in a Changing Climate analyzes land use patterns in Massachusetts, highlights the value of forests, farmlands, and wetlands for climate resilience.

3,275

Campers that safely attended in-person camp this summer at 11-day camps across the state. An additional 122 campers took part in our virtual Nature Inside Out Camp.

18,000

Pounds of vegetables and over 600 dozen eggs that Drumlin Farm donated to our hunger relief partners, thanks to donor contributions of over $67,000 to cover the cost of the program.

$350,000

The record-breaking amount raised during our reimagined-for-COVID-safety Bird-a-thon (which became Bird-at-home-a-thon). Not only did it raise more money for our wildlife sanctuaries and conservation work than previous competitions, it also welcomed more participants than ever before.

900

Participants at attended a Shaping the Future of Your Community Program, which works with cities and towns on smart land use and resiliency planning.

6

Preschoolers (photo taken pre-COVID)

Number of licensed Mass Audubon Nature Preschools across the state, including the newest at Long Pasture on the Cape. Through hands-on activities, exploration, movement, and play, we support children’s curiosity and wonder using our wildlife sanctuaries as outdoor classrooms.

214

Pairs of Piping Plovers protecting by the Coastal Waterbird Program, up 13% compared to the previous summer.

Piping Plover © Mark Landman

Come Play Outside With Us!

Posted on September 26, 2020 by Hillary T.

You’ve probably heard the stories if not told them. They always start with … “When I was a kid…” and have some variation of … “I’d play outside all day until the dinner bell rang.” Of course, back then (whenever then was), things were different.

The internet was just a kernel of an idea. Television was limited to a few stations. And the amazing options of after school activities were, well, less than amazing. With fewer options, kids would head outdoors for entertainment–building forts, climbing trees, and playing hide-and-seek to name a few.

Sure, that still happens now, but research shows that children today spend less time outside than any other generation before them. 

Girl playing on tree

Why Nature Play Matters

There are endless benefits to playing in the outdoors. Specifically, nature play:

  • Promotes a healthy, active lifestyle 
  • Develops imagination, creativity, and invention 
  • Allows a space for children to navigate risk and problem solving 
  • Supports inquiry-based learning through curiosity and exploration 
  • Provides opportunities to practice adaptability, flexibility, and resilience.

And of course, when children are in nature, they find connections to the natural world. These connections are critical to creating the next generation of nature heroes. Researcher and educator David Sobel notes: “If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered, let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it.”

© Lisa Roberts

Introducing Nature Play Days 

As a way to encourage everyone, adults and children, to get out and play in nature, Mass Audubon is launching Nature Play Days. Each season, our team of wildly enthusiastic educators will share Nature Play ideas and activities, all of which can be done in your neighborhood, local park, or wildlife sanctuary. 

You can be someone who supports getting children outside, giving them the freedom to explore (safely of course), and ensuring they get all the benefits that come along with it. 

To start you off, here are 10 fall-themed activities.

Throughout the season, we’ll be posting weekly videos and hand-outs describing these activities on our website and social media. Follow along and share your discoveries with us!