Places to Explore — Metro West

Not sure where to start exploring? Try visiting one of our wildlife sanctuaries in the Metro West area.


Nature Center & Trails

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary

Waterfall in autumn at Broadmoor © Ethan Gordon
© Ethan Gordon

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Natick
Trails: 9 miles

Easy-to-rugged, well-groomed trails weave through the shade of mature woodlands into open fields and along the edges of vibrant streams, ponds, marshland, and the Charles River. Details >

Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary

Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Lincoln
Trails: 4 miles

A working farm and wildlife sanctuary with sheep, goats, chickens, cows, and pigs; sustainably-grown crops; trails; and resident owls, foxes, and a fisher. Details > 

Habitat Education Center

Arboretum in July © Sandy Vorce, Mass Audubon
Arboretum in July © Sandy Vorce, Mass Audubon

Habitat Education Center

Location: Belmont
Trails: 2.5 miles

Just six miles from downtown Boston, find gentle trails that start at a Georgian-style mansion and wind through forests, across meadows, and around ponds and formal gardens. Details >

Placeholder Promo

Separator


Trails Only

Brewster's Woods Wildlife Sanctuary

Brewster's Woods Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Concord
Trails: 1.6 miles

Situated along the Concord River, this was formerly the country homestead of Mass Audubon's first president—ornithologist William Brewster. Limited parking. Details >

Nashoba Brook Wildlife Sanctuary

Nashoba Brook Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Westford
Trails: 3.6 miles

Migrating songbirds rest and feed in the fields and woodlands of Nashoba Brook, which consists of various sanctuary parcels, and the Town of Westford’s Richard Emmet Conservation Land. Details >

Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary

Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Hopkinton
Trails: 1 mile

With its forest that opens up to a secluded pond, Waseeka offers the opportunity to observe woodland birds and waterbirds, wildflowers, and a fire-enhanced forest. Details >

Placeholder Promo

Other Sanctuaries - 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.