Places to Explore — Metro West

Not Ready for Visitors

Farrar Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln

16 ACRES

Farrar Pond Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in a residential area, bordered to the north by Route 117 (South Great Road) and to the south by Farrar Pond. The property includes a private residence used for Mass Audubon staff housing, but a public walking trail through the wildlife sanctuary connects with trails in town and other nearby conservation lands.

Conservation Features: Most of the wildlife sanctuary consists of upland forest with a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees. Although the habitat types present at Farrar Pond are not rare, the mixed forest is of relatively high quality, having few non-native species present and closely resembling oak-hemlock-white pine natural community type as described by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.

Weld Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, Dedham

13 ACRES

Weld Pond Wildlife Sanctuary is bordered to the west by the I-95/Route 128 corridor, to the east and south by Weld Pond, and to the north by private residences. It is approximately 300 feet south of the 213-acre Wilson Mountain Reservation, owned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. 

Conservation Features: The wildlife sanctuary is entirely forested. The forest cover is largely dominated by native oaks, although scattered white pines are present in the eastern portions of the wildlife sanctuary. Except for along the western and northern boundaries of the wildlife sanctuary few non-native plants are present. It serves as an island of largely undisturbed wildlife habitat within the densely developed I-95/Route 128 beltway.