{"id":15881,"date":"2021-06-18T14:25:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-18T18:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=15881"},"modified":"2021-06-18T14:26:22","modified_gmt":"2021-06-18T18:26:22","slug":"sensory-friendly-opportunities-expand-statewide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/sensory-friendly-opportunities-expand-statewide\/","title":{"rendered":"Sensory-Friendly Opportunities Expand Statewide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>For people on the autism spectrum or with other sensory-sensitive needs, some environments can be overwhelming. Loud noises, bright lights, and crowds can make spaces less accessible for those with sensory sensitivities. In order to continue making nature accessible to all, we&#8217;re launching a series of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/get-outdoors\/activities\/sensory-friendly-days\">Sensory Friendly Days<\/a><\/strong> at sanctuaries throughout Massachusetts this summer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/06\/kforesto_Habitat-8231-750x500-c01d808e-6fc7-4eee-b7b8-dcab6c15e6e7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15945\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/06\/kforesto_Habitat-8231-750x500-c01d808e-6fc7-4eee-b7b8-dcab6c15e6e7.jpg 750w, https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/06\/kforesto_Habitat-8231-750x500-c01d808e-6fc7-4eee-b7b8-dcab6c15e6e7-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/06\/kforesto_Habitat-8231-750x500-c01d808e-6fc7-4eee-b7b8-dcab6c15e6e7-624x416.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption>Walking in the woods<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>During these times, you can visit when properties are closed to the general public or tend to be relatively quiet. Some sites will have special hikes with nature guides available to recommend appropriate trails and guide your experience, while others provide self-lead opportunities. You can also find <a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/get-outdoors\/accessibility\/accessibility-at-our-wildlife-sanctuaries\">All Persons Trails<\/a> at many of these sanctuaries, which feature wide, flat, ADA-Accessible paths connecting parking areas to the wilds of the sanctuaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Aides and companions receive free admission on Sensory-Friendly Days and on any regular visit day. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check out These Sensory-Friendly Opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/program-catalog\/results\/metro-west\/exact\/(keywords)\/sensory-friendly?utm_source=ygo&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=programs&amp;utm_content=sensory\">Metro West<\/a>: Broadmoor in Natick, Habitat in Belmont, and Drumlin Farm in Lincoln<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/program-catalog\/results\/central-massachusetts\/exact\/(keywords)\/sensory-friendly?utm_source=ygo&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=programs&amp;utm_content=sensory\">Central Massachusetts<\/a>: Wachusett Meadow in Princeton and Broad Meadow Brook in Worcester<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/program-catalog\/results\/south-east\/exact\/(keywords)\/sensory-friendly\/(offset)\/0\/(limit)\/10?utm_source=ygo&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=programs&amp;utm_content=sensory\">South East<\/a>: Oak Knoll in Attleboro, Tidmarsh in Plymouth, Stone Barn in Dartmouth, and North River in Marshfield<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/program-catalog\/results\/cape-code\/(keywords)\/sensory-friendly\">Cape Cod<\/a>: Wellfleet Bay in South Wellfleet<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/06\/MCC_Logo_RGB_BW_NoTag.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15915\" width=\"144\" height=\"52\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/06\/MCC_Logo_RGB_BW_NoTag.png 772w, https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/06\/MCC_Logo_RGB_BW_NoTag-300x109.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/06\/MCC_Logo_RGB_BW_NoTag-768x280.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/06\/MCC_Logo_RGB_BW_NoTag-624x227.png 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 144px) 100vw, 144px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>These programs are supported in part by grants from the Lincoln, Sudbury, Belmont, Arlington, Natick, Sherborn, Framingham, Boston, Topsfield, Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville, Sharon, Norwood, Walpole, Canton, Milton, Plymouth, Kingston, Attleboro, North Attleboro, Marshfield, Duxbury, Westport, Dartmouth, Millbury, West Boylston, Fitchburg, and Wellfleet<\/em> <em>Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For people on the autism spectrum or with other sensory-sensitive needs, some environments can be overwhelming. Loud noises, bright lights, and crowds can make spaces less accessible for those with sensory sensitivities. In order to continue making nature accessible to all, we&#8217;re launching a series of Sensory Friendly Days at sanctuaries throughout Massachusetts this summer! [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":15945,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15881","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-get-outdoors"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/06\/kforesto_Habitat-8231-750x500-c01d808e-6fc7-4eee-b7b8-dcab6c15e6e7.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-489","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14983,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/access-nature-through-these-ada-accessible-trails\/","url_meta":{"origin":15881,"position":0},"title":"Access Nature Through These ADA-Accessible Trails","author":"Kelly R.","date":"November 24, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"If you, or someone you care about, has had trouble accessing scenic outdoor areas via traditional trails in\u00a0the\u00a0past,\u00a0our\u00a0ADA-Accessible All Persons\u00a0Trails\u00a0may be\u00a0your\u00a0key to unlocking the great outdoors.\u00a0\u00a0 What\u00a0is an\u00a0All Persons Trail?\u00a0 What began in 2008 with the construction of a pilot \u201csensory trail\u201d at\u00a0Stony Brook\u00a0Wildlife Sanctuary\u00a0in\u00a0Norfolk,\u00a0has evolved into Mass Audubon\u2019s Accessible\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Walking on a All Persons Trail","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/IMG_0306-720x480-451c0258-cc42-42f5-8462-d68789b22ff9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/IMG_0306-720x480-451c0258-cc42-42f5-8462-d68789b22ff9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/IMG_0306-720x480-451c0258-cc42-42f5-8462-d68789b22ff9.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/IMG_0306-720x480-451c0258-cc42-42f5-8462-d68789b22ff9.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6605,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/optoutside-with-us\/","url_meta":{"origin":15881,"position":1},"title":"#OptOutside with Us!","author":"Hillary T.","date":"November 24, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Looking for a place to #OptOutside on Friday? We have 50+ wildlife sanctuaries across the state, from Cape Cod to the Berkshires. On our hundreds of miles of trails you can take in ocean, pond, and river views; explore forests and fields; hike drumlins and eskers; stroll boardwalks and gravel\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Get Outdoors&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Get Outdoors","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-outdoors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/11\/optoutside.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/11\/optoutside.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/11\/optoutside.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7359,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/5-fun-facts-about-arcadia\/","url_meta":{"origin":15881,"position":2},"title":"5 Fun Facts About Arcadia","author":"Hillary T.","date":"April 11, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"By Jonah Keane, Sanctuary Director Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Northampton and Easthampton is Mass Audubon\u2019s flagship sanctuary in the Connecticut River Valley. Sandwiched between the two cities\u2019 downtown areas, its 700+ acres of forest, river, wetlands, and\u00a0restored grasslands are remarkably\u00a0diverse and easily accessible. Even though the wildlife sanctuary has been\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sanctuaries 100&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sanctuaries 100","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/sanctuaries-100\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/04\/accessible.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/04\/accessible.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/04\/accessible.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5893,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/action-alert-blue-hills-trailside-museum-needs-your-help\/","url_meta":{"origin":15881,"position":3},"title":"Action Alert: Blue Hills Trailside Museum Needs Your Help","author":"Hillary T.","date":"July 27, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Update 7\/30 part 2: Great news! The Senate has also voted to override the veto meaning funding has been restored. Thank you! Update 7\/30: Good\u00a0news! The House voted to override the veto of Trailside! Now on to the Senate... We need your help! Governor Baker recently eliminated funding for\u00a0Blue Hills\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Advocacy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/advocacy-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Blue Hills","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/07\/Blue-Hills-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2492,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/from-a-mom-whose-son-is-flying-high\/","url_meta":{"origin":15881,"position":4},"title":"From a &#8220;Mom Whose Son is Flying High&#8221;","author":"Hillary T.","date":"August 14, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"One of our goals here at Mass Audubon is to make nature accessible for everyone.\u00a0The public facilities at most of our staffed wildlife sanctuaries are already universally accessible and we have many accessible trails. So you can imagine our delight when our president, Henry Tepper, received the following email from\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Project Updates&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Project Updates","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/project-updates\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/08\/NRiver-Accessible-Trail.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17546,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/bird-a-thon-for-all\/","url_meta":{"origin":15881,"position":5},"title":"Bird-a-thon for All","author":"Kaylin D.","date":"May 11, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"This year marks the 40th anniversary of Mass Audubon\u2019s annual fundraiser and birding competition, Bird-a-thon. During Bird-a-thon, teams of birders work to identify the most species of birds over a 24-hour period, beginning Friday, May 12 at 6pm and ending Saturday, May 13 at 6pm. This year, as part of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Birds &amp; Birding&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Birds &amp; Birding","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/birds-birding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A man in a white button-down shirt with a sight stick and sunglasses, holding one hand onto the elbow of a woman with a blue shirt. They are walking in the woods.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/kforesto_HabitatAPT-8706-750x500-c1478708-4932-41ba-8462-68dcbc490f55.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/kforesto_HabitatAPT-8706-750x500-c1478708-4932-41ba-8462-68dcbc490f55.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/kforesto_HabitatAPT-8706-750x500-c1478708-4932-41ba-8462-68dcbc490f55.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/kforesto_HabitatAPT-8706-750x500-c1478708-4932-41ba-8462-68dcbc490f55.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15881","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/90"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15881"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15881\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15962,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15881\/revisions\/15962"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15945"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15881"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15881"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15881"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}