{"id":3455,"date":"2014-04-22T16:53:39","date_gmt":"2014-04-22T20:53:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=3455"},"modified":"2014-04-24T08:55:43","modified_gmt":"2014-04-24T12:55:43","slug":"why-spring-is-one-of-the-best-times-to-be-a-mass-audubon-member","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/why-spring-is-one-of-the-best-times-to-be-a-mass-audubon-member\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Spring is One of the Best Times to Be a Mass Audubon Member"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Copyright

Copyright Sandy Selesky<\/p><\/div>\n

When it comes to appreciating the four seasons, each one has its advantages. But there\u2019s something about spring\u2014a bright spot at the end of a long, cold winter\u2014that makes it all the more enjoyable. And by being a Mass Audubon member<\/a> you get free admission to all of our wildlife sanctuaries across the state, not to mention discounts on programs, shop purchases, and more.<\/p>\n

So how much do we love spring? Let us count at least 5 of the ways.<\/p>\n

Wildflowers<\/h3>\n

After a bleak, gray winter, the first wildflowers of spring are a much-needed remedy. Spring ephemerals such as trout lily, blue cohosh, red trillium, bloodroot, and marsh marigold provide color and contrast to trails, forests, and meadows.<\/p>\n

Wildflowers are blooming and our wildlife sanctuaries, including High Ledges Wildlife Sanctuary in Shelburne, are some of the best places to see them. Before you go, learn about\u00a0five of the earliest spring blooms<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Birds<\/h3>\n

Bird migration is upon us. Our wildlife sanctuaries offer these travel-weary birds a welcome resting spot (and plenty of opportunities for bird-watchers to get a glance), especially the bright and colorful bunch of warblers.<\/p>\n

Early migrants like the pine, palm, and yellow-rumped warbler arrive as early as mid-April, but the time to see the greatest variety is mid-May, often right around Mother\u2019s Day weekend. If you\u2019re lucky, and the weather conditions are just right, you may even witness a \u201cWarbler Wave\u201d\u2014an explosive fallout of migrants that make local woodlands come alive with song and animation.<\/p>\n

Join a\u00a0naturalist-led bird walk<\/a>\u00a0to make sure don\u2019t miss a tweet.<\/p>\n

Trails<\/h3>\n

Now that the weather is warming up and daylight is getting longer each day, you don\u2019t need much of an excuse to get outside. Skip the neighborhood loop and take an easy, moderate, or challenging hike on one of our trails throughout the state. Find a wildlife sanctuary near you<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Baby Animals<\/h3>\n

Come get your daily dose of cuteness. Watch newborn lambs, kids, and piglets frolicking around Drumlin Farm<\/a> in Lincoln. At Habitat<\/a> in Belmont watch the goats munch away invasive species. Princeton\u2019s Wachusett Meadow<\/a> has it\u2019s own herd of sheep. And thanks to a relationship with local farmers, you can see all sorts of animals at Long Pasture<\/a> in Barnstable.<\/p>\n

Spring New Member Sale<\/h3>\n

What better way to take advantage of all of the above then by joining Mass Audubon<\/a>. And now through June 30, new members can save half off a\u00a0full year\u00a0of\u00a0membership<\/a>. For just $32, you not only get access to all of the above,\u00a0but your membership dollars help Mass Audubon fund its\u00a0vital conservation work to protect the land and the wildlife we all enjoy so much.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When it comes to appreciating the four seasons, each one has its advantages. But there\u2019s something about spring\u2014a bright spot at the end of a long, cold winter\u2014that makes it all the more enjoyable. And by being a Mass Audubon member you get free admission to all of our wildlife sanctuaries across the state, not […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"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":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-get-involved"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-TJ","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15509,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-spring-wildflowers\/","url_meta":{"origin":3455,"position":0},"title":"Take 5: Spring Wildflowers","author":"Ryan D.","date":"April 19, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"April in many parts of Massachusetts can feel a bit like nature is holding its breath, so that on any given morning you might wake up to find the world outside transformed from gray to green (or, as last Friday proved, blanketed in white one more time). Never fear, spring\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Dutchman's Breeches \u00a9 Deborah Kellogg","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/5194Deborah_Kellogg24639.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/5194Deborah_Kellogg24639.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/5194Deborah_Kellogg24639.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/5194Deborah_Kellogg24639.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13393,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/in-your-words-jeanne-li\/","url_meta":{"origin":3455,"position":1},"title":"In Your Words: Jeanne Li","author":"Ryan D.","date":"December 17, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"In Your Words is a regular feature of Mass Audubon\u2019s\u00a0Explore\u00a0member newsletter. Each issue, a Mass Audubon member, volunteer, staff member, or supporter shares his or her story\u2014why Mass Audubon and protecting the nature of Massachusetts matters to them. If you have a story to share about your connection to Mass\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Jeanne Li - Volunteer at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/DSC_4906.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/DSC_4906.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/DSC_4906.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/12\/DSC_4906.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":625,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/confessions-of-an-ex-lawn-mower\/","url_meta":{"origin":3455,"position":2},"title":"Confessions of an Ex-Lawn Mower","author":"Kristin S.","date":"September 4, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"I blame it on the butterflies. We used to dutifully mow our little lawn in a suburban neighborhood where neat, clean landscapes are highly valued. Then I fell in love with butterflies and everything changed. It started with the gorgeous orange and black butterflies that float in my butterfly garden\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Going Green"","block_context":{"text":"Going Green","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/going-green\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/08\/Kristin-FrontYard-EarlySpring-Small-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/08\/Kristin-FrontYard-EarlySpring-Small-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/08\/Kristin-FrontYard-EarlySpring-Small-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7006,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/love-is-in-the-air\/","url_meta":{"origin":3455,"position":3},"title":"Love Is in the Air","author":"Hillary T.","date":"February 12, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Share your love of nature with these picks from the Audubon Shop. Find a selection of items in our\u00a0online shop or visit us in person at Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln, MA. Also, enjoy our in-store February Birdhouse Sale! Members receive a 20% discount on nest boxes and poles.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Stuff We Love"","block_context":{"text":"Stuff We Love","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/stuff-we-love\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Match Game","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/web.massaudubon.org\/images\/content\/pagebuilder\/matchgame.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12451,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/an-alternative-spring-break\/","url_meta":{"origin":3455,"position":4},"title":"An Alternative Spring Break","author":"Hillary T.","date":"March 11, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"While some college kids will be heading to the beach during Spring Break, Mass Audubon has teamed up with UMass Boston to offer its conservation-minded students another option. During the first-ever Alternative Spring Break for Aspiring Environmental Leaders, an idea hatched by TerraCorps member Sam Kefferstan, six students will spend\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Outdoors"","block_context":{"text":"Get Outdoors","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-outdoors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"\u00a9 Sarah O'Connor","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/03\/2963Sarah_OConnor10707.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/03\/2963Sarah_OConnor10707.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/03\/2963Sarah_OConnor10707.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/03\/2963Sarah_OConnor10707.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17525,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/ditch-the-lawnmower-this-spring\/","url_meta":{"origin":3455,"position":5},"title":"Ditch the Lawnmower This Spring","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"May 4, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Studies show that letting grass grow longer increases the abundance and diversity of native insects, so a change in how we approach mowing helps our native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators get a good start to the season. Fostering early growth allows flowers to fully bloom, letting native plants like\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/0074_FarmTrekkers_074-1200x800-1.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\/0074_FarmTrekkers_074-1200x800-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/0074_FarmTrekkers_074-1200x800-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/0074_FarmTrekkers_074-1200x800-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/0074_FarmTrekkers_074-1200x800-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3455","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\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3455"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3455\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3484,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3455\/revisions\/3484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}