Category Archives: Wildlife Sanctuaries

Manchaug Pond, Sutton, MA © Marty Jo Henry

Fall Fest Fun for All

Manchaug Pond, Sutton, MA © Marty Jo Henry
Manchaug Pond, Sutton, MA © Marty Jo Henry

From October 24–31, Mass Audubon’s Fall Fest offers in-person and virtual programs, free activities, and unique fall experiences for all ages throughout Massachusetts. Here are all the ways you can get in on the fun!


Family Fun Days at Wildwood

Kick off Fall Fest a little early at Mass Audubon’s Wildwood Camp in Rindge, NH this weekend (October 17–18) where you can enjoy canoeing and kayaking, guided nature walks, archery, tie-dying, campfires, and more fall fun!

Fall Fest Programs

Howl at the full Halloween moon, prowl for owls, travel by hayride, and more with fall fest programs across the state, both in-person and online.

Nature Play Days

Create your own Fall Fest wherever you are with downloadable bingo cards, scavenger hunts, activity sheets, crafts, and more for Young Explorers during Nature Play Days.

Follow Along on Facebook

Make fall crafts, explore the outdoors, and meet spooky animals with us all week long through fun and interactive videos on our Facebook page.

Pumpkin Carving & Painting Contest

Enter our contest by sharing your artistic creations to our Facebook page from October 24–31. Try one of our pumpkin carving stencils or design your own masterpiece!

Fall-unteer at a Sanctuary

There are lots of great ways to give back to your community this fall by volunteering at a wildlife sanctuary near you. Volunteer projects take place outdoors, so you can spend some time working in nature and be socially distanced, too.

Exclusive Mass Audubon Experiences

During our “Fall Fun-raiser” silent auction, you can bid on exclusive Mass Audubon experiences like private strawberry-picking at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, unique animal encounters at Habitat in Belmont, Cape Cod adventures, and more.

Lauren Kras looking through binoculars

The Latest from Tidmarsh

Last spring, we asked for your help to raise the $3.6 million needed to turn a 481-acre former cranberry farm in Plymouth into a wildlife sanctuary for all to enjoy. And so many of you responded with enthusiasm and generosity.

Sanctuary Director Lauren Kras

Sanctuary Director Lauren Kras

Since that time, we officially purchased the property, welcomed the sanctuary’s inaugural director, created trails, installed signs, and added a parking lot. In January, the ribbon was figuratively cut on Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary. And that is just the beginning, thanks to the leadership of Lauren Kras, Sanctuary Director.

Lauren comes to Mass Audubon from New Hampshire where she served as the President of the Seacoast Chapter of NH Audubon and Conservation Easement Steward at the New Hampshire Forest Society. An avid birdwatcher, conservationist, photographer, and hiker, Lauren holds a Master of Science degree in Plant Biology from the University of New Hampshire where she studied rare, threatened, and endangered plant species.

Alder in bloom at Tidmarsh

Alder in bloom at Tidmarsh

Putting her skills to work immediately she began the sanctuary’s sandplain restoration, opening more trails, and working with members of the community to share this beautiful sanctuary and programs with people of all ages and abilities.

See the progress for yourself this spring. In addition to Statewide Volunteer Day projects and weekly Herring Walks with Living Observatory, there will be a family-friendly Open House on Saturday, June 2. The Open House will provide opportunities to explore on your own, join a guided walk, meet the Tidmarsh team, and watch for herons and kestrels soaring overhead.