Category Archives: General

Family exploring the rock grotto at Ipswich River ©Jared Leeds

Instagramable Massachusetts Hikes

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Kelly R.

These vistas, views, and encounters will take your breath away—and maybe get you a few “likes” in the process.

Chasing Waterfalls

All smiles here! ©Robert Nelson

Travel across Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary‘s boardwalks and trails to reach this relaxing spot. Here, the marshes, rivers, and ponds make up a collage of scenic waterways. Take a short walk on the Marsh Trail around Mill Pond to stop by for a portrait next to the waterfall or get creative with your picture’s angles. Note: Broadmoor currently requires reservations to visit.

Waterfall at Cooks Canyon

If you’re in Central Massachusetts, stop by Cooks Canyon in Barre. The 69-acre wildlife sanctuary features an impressive waterfall created by Galloway Brook’s flow over an old dam, and even rapids during times of high water.

#AnimalsofInstagram

Otter-ly amazing!

While all of our sanctuaries boast diverse arrays of wildlife living in their natural habitats, it does take a special skill set to be able to photograph in the wild. Here’s your opportunity to take Insta-worthy animal pics without the expensive equipment and committed patience.

At Blue Hills Trailside Museum in Milton, you’ll find birds, otter, red fox, and more, along with a network of 125 miles of hiking trails through Blue Hills Reservation. While you’re there, check out the newly renovated North American River Otter Exhibit, which was designed with elements of the natural otter habitat in mind.

Soaking up the sun.

The goats at Habitat Education Center in Belmont are a small pack of mighty snackers that traverse the wildlife sanctuary as our roaming lawn-care team. By opting to care for grassed areas with the help of our goats, we fertilize and aerate the soil, reduce the need for polluting machinery, and create wonderful photo ops!

Smile for the camera! © Gretchen Ertl

At Drumlin Farm, explore the farmyard loop to visit livestock (sheep, goats, cows, pigs, and chickens) and native wildlife (red fox, owls, hawks, and more).

This historic Lincoln site is a working farm and wildlife sanctuary all in one, so take advantage of learning about sustainable agriculture that works with the local ecosystem while you’re there. Spend the day exploring and taking pictures of the crops fields, barns, trail system, and animal exhibits. Note: Drumlin Farm currently requires reservations to visit.

Geologic Features

A perfect spot for a picnic.

The geologic scattering on the Boulder Loop Trail at Allens Pond in Dartmouth and Westport was initially created from the retreat of the last ice age some 10,000 years ago. At the center of this trail are two enormous granite boulders that had been hidden under years of invasive plant spread until our intrepid volunteer crew set them free earlier this spring.

The newly exposed boulders make for a unique area to relax and take in the scenery from. Climb to the top for a new perspective or take advantage of the amphitheater-like hollows that create an excellent space to sing or play music in.

That’s one for the highlights reel.

Question for you: when was the last time you walked through a tunnel of rocks? Been a while? Maybe never? Then you’ve got to check out this unique feature at Ipswich River in Topsfield. Take the Rockery Loop trail out to the stone grotto, where you’ll find a man-made tunnel encompassing your trail.

Explore the rest of Ipswich River’s 12 miles of trails for a few more insta-worthy scenes, including beaver structures, a stone bridge, and amazing wildlife. Note: Ipswich River currently requires reservations to visit.

Soak in the Setting Sun

Added bonus: Felix Neck offers kayak tours and programs for pictures on the water!

Watch the sunset and moonrise as you listen to the sounds of the marsh at Felix Neck in Edgartown. Take Old Farm Road out to the Marsh Trail for a view across Sengekontacket Pond and Sarson Island, a migratory bird resting location with spectacular views. Play around with your camera settings to capture the full range of blues and pinks during the twilight hours.

A great spot to take in the sights and sounds

The 1.4 mile Fox Hill Trail at Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield is the most direct route out to the Fox Hill overlook, with several side trails along the way if you’d like to explore further.

Passing by one wildlife observation blind and several side trails, walk the length of the property to a panoramic view from the Fox Hill Observation Platform. The wide-open spaces make for a great place to watch the sunset from.

Go Ahead, Tag Us!

We want to see your pics! Be sure to tag @massaudubon next time you snap a keeper at one of our wildlife sanctuaries.

Reflections at Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Norfolk © Mass Audubon

Reflection and Acknowledgment on Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Posted on October 11, 2021 by Ryan D.
Reflections at Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Norfolk © Mass Audubon
Reflections at Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Norfolk

Over the course of Mass Audubon’s 125 years of conservation work in Massachusetts, the organization has grown to be the largest private landowner in the state. As such, it is incumbent upon us to take a thoughtful look at what it means to be a modern-day steward of the land. This is especially pertinent as we observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day and reflect on the history of the original people who stewarded the land for thousands of years before us.

To that end, we acknowledge that Mass Audubon’s wildlife sanctuaries are located on the traditional, contemporary, and unceded territories of several Indigenous nations, including the Massachusett, Mohican, Nauset, Nipmuc, Pennacook, Pocomtuc, Wabanaki, and Wampanoag. These lands were taken from the Indigenous people, creating a legacy of trauma that persists to this day.

We acknowledge that Indigenous stewardship of the land we now call Massachusetts kept its ecological communities vibrant, strong, and interconnected for thousands of years, but far from being relics of the past, Indigenous peoples, including the 37,000 individuals who currently reside in Massachusetts, are still at the forefront of environmental protection, ecological stewardship, and climate mitigation.

Mass Audubon deeply values the relationships that we have built with Indigenous people to date, but we also recognize that there is much work still to be done. Acknowledging Indigenous sovereignty and the ongoing trauma of colonialism is only the first step—and an imperfect one at that. Mass Audubon is committed to the work of learning, listening, and evolving so that we may live in “right relationship” (an Indigenous concept rooted in sustainability and respect) with the land and the people who have been its rightful stewards for thousands of years. We know this work will take persistence and time. We know we won’t get everything right on the first try, and we are open to constructive criticism. This message is more than an acknowledgment; it’s an invitation to respectful, open dialogue.

Mass Audubon was founded 125 years ago by two strong women, Minna Hall and Harriet Hemenway, who believed in speaking up for what is right, stepping up to make change happen, and initiating uncomfortable conversations—in short, they believed in making “good trouble.” Now we’re challenging ourselves to look at our work with the same critical lens so that we can do what’s right to protect the nature of Massachusetts for ALL people. It’s not only our responsibility to do this work, but our legacy.

We know that words can feel empty unless accompanied by action. Therefore, we are committed to taking the following actions to support Indigenous rights and to work in partnership with Indigenous communities:

  • Recognizing that the field of outdoor education is rife with cultural practices appropriated from Indigenous people and often lacking in authentic Indigenous representation, we commit to evaluating all our education, camp, and visitor programs for culturally appropriative practices; removing activities when necessary; and providing context and history to highlight the integral role Indigenous people play in environmental education.
  • Recognizing the loss of land experienced by Indigenous peoples, we commit to providing greater access to the lands we currently steward by offering free admission to Mass Audubon sanctuaries for all Indigenous peoples in the state.
  • Knowing that Indigenous voices, experiences, and history have too often been ignored or erased, we commit to performing scholarly research into the pre-colonial history of the lands we currently steward, with the goal of sharing this rich history with the world.

We are committed to addressing the greatest threats to nature today—habitat loss, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. The solutions to all these challenges are available to us, but we need everyone to have a seat at the table to succeed. This acknowledgment is not only a call to action; it’s a call to unity. We hope that you will join us.