About Habitat

Cherry tree at Mass Audubon Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary

Gentle trails wind through deciduous and evergreen forests, across meadows, and around ponds and vernal pools at Habitat, located just seven miles from downtown Boston.

A long-standing center for environmental education, Habitat offers year-round programs for all ages. Examples of sustainability—including goats that help control invasive plants and a community garden with plots for rent—make this a great spot to learn about green practices while you explore.

Organized groups require advance reservations. Please contact us to schedule your visit.

Location

10 Juniper Road, Belmont, MA 02478
Get directions or contact us >

Hours

Nature Center

Tuesday–Sunday, 9 am-5 pm • Closed Monday (except holidays) • Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
Restrooms are located in the Nature Center

Gallery

Tuesday–Sunday, 9 am-5 pm • Closed Monday (except holidays) • Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day

Trails

Open daily, dawn to dusk

Admission

Members & Belmont residents: Free
Nonmembers: $4 Adults, $3 Seniors (65+), $3 Children (2-12)

As a way to increase access to nature, Mass Audubon also offers several free admission programs at our wildlife sanctuaries.

Facilities

  • Parking
  • Universally Accessible Nature Center
  • Universally Accessible Restrooms
  • Universally Accessible Trail
  • Picnic Area
  • Electric Vehicle Charging

Acres

88

Trail Mileage

4 miles (universally accessible: 0.5 miles)
Details & map >

Sanctuary Highlights

  • Turtles basking on logs and frogs plopping in the water at Turtle Pond.
  • The Habitat Intergenerational Program, which brings oldster and youngster volunteers together to work on environmental projects such as taking care of the trails and community and butterfly gardens.
  • The less-traveled Weeks Pond Trail, where you can explore the pond and meadow beyond.
  • The Western Greenway Trail, which runs 7 miles from Habitat to the Robert Treat Paine Estate in Waltham.

Property Regulations

All of the land at our wildlife sanctuaries is protected. By conserving these open spaces, Mass Audubon, along with our members and partners, is able to fulfill its mission of protecting the nature of Massachusetts. When visiting, please take note of the following regulations: 

  • No dog walking or horseback riding; please leave all animals and pets at home (service animals welcome) 
  • No walking off trail  
  • No collecting or picking natural items
  • No bike riding or operating motorized vehicles; day passes are available for powered mobility devices   
  • No running, swimming, or camping 
  • No operating drones or other remote-controlled vehicles   
  • No fishing, hunting, trapping, or releasing of animals   
  • No feeding wildlife   
  • No smoking 

Photography Guidelines

Mass Audubon welcomes visitors to capture the beauty and wonder of our statewide network of wildlife sanctuaries through photography. If you would like to use a wildlife sanctuary for commercial photography purposes, please review the complete guidelines and learn how to schedule a time.