Lend a Helping Hand

Enjoy the arrival of spring by participating in Mass Audubon’s Work for Wildlife Statewide Volunteer Day on Saturday, April 25. Join with other volunteers, family, and friends at 16 wildlife sanctuaries across the state from 9 am to noon.

We have a variety of projects for people of all ages and interests–all guaranteed to put you in touch with nature and provide a sense of accomplishment! Projects include (but are not limited to):

  • Painting the wildlife blind at Canoe Meadows in Pittsfield
  • Preparing butterfly and hummingbird gardens at Felix Neck on Martha’s Vineyard
  • Plum Island Beach Cleanup in Newburyport with Joppa Flats
  • Constructing an outdoor classroom at Endicott Wildlife Sanctuary in Wenham
  • Removing invasive species of plants such as the kiwi and bittersweet vines from many of Mass Audubon’s trails

During last year’s Statewide Volunteer Day, 450 volunteers cleared acres of beaches, spread mulch and woodchips, restored turtle nesting areas, and created new trails. With last year’s turnout, many sanctuaries were able to accomplish weeks of tasks in a single morning.

To show their appreciation, sanctuaries will provide a variety of food and afternoon activities, including BBQs at Wellfleet Bay and Felix Neck, pizza in Pittsfield, a nature walk along Laughing Brook in Hampden, and a live animal presentation at the Blue Hills Trailside Museum in Milton. Find a list of projects and register for one today!

Guest post by Nathan Yeo

Take 5: Blue Jays

Blue jays are renowned for their loud cries, raucous behavior, and intelligence. Less well-known is their role in spreading oak forests due to their preference for acorns, which they store undergroundeffectively planting them.

Here are five great portraits of jays from past editions of our Photo Contest. Have a great shot of your own? Enter our 2015 Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest!

2013 Photo Contest Entry © Paula Orlando

2013 Photo Contest Entry © Paula Orlando

Virginia Opossum, 2014 Photo Contest Entry © Stella del Rosario Chin

Virginia Opossum, 2014 Photo Contest Entry © Stella del Rosario Chin

2014 Photo Contest Entry © Davey Walters

2014 Photo Contest Entry © Davey Walters

Blue jay basking in the sun, 2013 Photo Contest Entry © Dorene Austin

Blue jay basking in the sun, 2013 Photo Contest Entry © Dorene Austin

2013 Photo Contest Entry © Sarah Keates

2013 Photo Contest Entry © Sarah Keates

Learn more about blue jays with our new quick guide.

blue-jay-quick-guide