Actions We Are Taking in Response to COVID-19

Updated March 26, 2020

Please note: We have made the hard decision to cancel all programs through April 30, 2020. If you are registered for a program that was scheduled during this time, you will be receiving an email from us. We look forward to resuming programs as soon as it is safe to do so.

Updated March 24, 2020

We understand that our decision to temporarily close our trails is disappointing to our members and supporters like you. And it is not a decision we took lightly. When COVID-19 first began spreading in Massachusetts, our wildlife sanctuaries offered a place for people to escape. We closed our buildings but invited visitors to walk the trails while following social distancing guidelines. And many, many people took us up on that offer. In fact, our parking lots at many wildlife sanctuaries were overflowing beyond capacity. Increased visitors walking along often narrow trails and boardwalks was making social distancing difficult. Increased visitation was also putting our property staff and fellow visitors at risk. We want nothing more than to reopen our trails. And the moment we feel it is safe to do so we will.

We truly believe that this temporary closing will help slow the spread of COVID-19. We hope you can understand our decision.

Updated March 23, 2020

It brings us great sadness to inform you that, to support the stay-at-home advisory given by Governor Baker, we will be closing all of Mass Audubon's wildlife sanctuaries and trails to any visitation as of noon on Tuesday, March 24, until further notice.

We know how important it is to get out in nature, and there is nothing we like better than seeing people enjoying our trails.

But the health and safety of the residents of Massachusetts and beyond must take priority. Our hope is that these extreme measures will help flatten the curve, so we can soon go back to business as usual. And with the support of people like you, we will come back even stronger.

While you can't visit our sanctuaries in person for the time being, you can engage with us online. In fact, we are hard at work creating wonderful experiences that you can watch on Facebook or via our website.

We hope that you can still find solace and comfort in nature, just a little closer to home. And be on the lookout for signs of spring—including the calls of Spring Peepers and Wood Frogs, salamanders on the move, emerging Skunk Cabbage, and the return of Eastern Phoebes and other migratory birds.

Stay well,

Gary Clayton
Mass Audubon President

Updated on March 19, 2020

A Note for Sanctuary Visitors 

We have been delighted to see so many people getting outdoors and visiting our trails. To keep our trails open while our sanctuaries are closed and staff are working from home, we ask the following:  

  • Keep a distance of six feet or more from other individuals even while outside.  
  • Do not meet as groups at the sanctuary.  
  • Do not play in the Nature Play Areas. 
  • Be aware that there are no open restrooms. This is for the safety of all visitors. 
  • Carry out all trash 
  • Remain on the trails at all times to protect plants, animals, and yourself 
  • Leave dogs and pets at home; service animals welcome
  • Refrain from bike riding or operating motorized vehicles 
  • Refrain from launching, operating, or retrieving drones or other remote-controlled aerial vehicles 
  • Refrain from fishing, hunting, or trapping 
  • Do not smoke 

Thank you for doing your part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and help us maintain our trails for all to enjoy. 

Updated on March 16, 2020

If ever there was a need for the benefits of being outside, it is now. Study after study has shown that being outdoors can do wonders for our health and well-being.  

And while our buildings have temporarily shut-down, our 38,000 acres of protected land is there for you to explore.  

Need some inspiration of where to visit?

Check out our blog >

Updated on March 13, 2020

Mass Audubon is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation. The safety of our visitors, members, staff, and volunteers is our top priority.

We have made the difficult decision to close our Headquarters, Nature Centers, Museums, and Shops, as well as cancel all programs, beginning 5 pm on Friday, March 13, through March 31, 2020. We are doing this as a proactive effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19 for the health and well-being of our community. We will continue to assess the situation as it evolves.

Mass Audubon will issue full refunds for any program or events we cancel. If you don't feel comfortable attending a scheduled program prior to 5 pm on Friday due to COVID-19 concerns, we will also issue a full refund. If you are registered for a program through the end of March, you will receive an email from us.

As of this time, we welcome you to visit the trails at many of our wildlife sanctuaries. We know how critical access to nature is during this stressful time and want to ensure people have the opportunity to get outdoors. We do ask that if you visit, you practice social distancing. 

Trails are open at all of our wildlife sanctuaries during regular hours EXCEPT:

  • Drumlin Farm 
  • Blue Hills Trailside Museum
  • Wellfleet Bay's Goose Pond Trail, Try Island Trail, and Boardwalk to Beach (these trails are under construction)

It is important to note that there will be no bathrooms open at any wildlife sanctuary.

Our thoughts remain with all those affected by COVID-19. We hope you find solace in the outdoors during this time of uncertainty.

Thank you and stay well.

Gary Clayton
Mass Audubon President

Updated on March 12, 2020

Mass Audubon is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation. The safety of our visitors, members, staff, and volunteers is our top priority.

As of this time, our wildlife sanctuaries are open for visitation. We know how critical access to nature is at this moment and want to ensure people have the opportunity to get outdoors.

We are carefully evaluating each program and special event based on the most recent guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and municipal Boards of Health. If you have any questions about specific events or programs, please contact your local sanctuary.

In the meantime, Mass Audubon has implemented the following procedures and protocols:

  • We will issue full refunds for any program or event we cancel. If you don't feel comfortable attending a program due to COVID-19 concerns, we will also issue a full refund.
  • All staff members have received recommendations on how to stay healthy and prevent the spread of infection through proper handwashing, avoiding hand shaking, and staying home when sick.
  • Staff are communicating these practices to program participants; we are asking program participants to stay home if they are sick or may have been exposed.
  • Our nature centers and staff buildings are receiving regular cleanings with attention to frequently touched surfaces.

We continue to evaluate all measures in response to available information from Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We are ready to revise our response and protocols as needed. 

In addition, our thoughts are with all those affected by COVID-19. We hope you find solace in the outdoors during this time of uncertainty.

Sincerely,
Gary Clayton
Mass Audubon President