Group Programs for Adults

© Emily Szczypek

Adult Group Programs at a Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary offer a chance to experience our habitats in unique and engaging ways. These programs are suitable for senior centers, libraries, garden clubs, historical groups, and other adult clubs and organizations. Taking part in one of our programs allows your participants to gain an appreciation for and awareness of the natural world and your connection to it.

Our education staff is committed to an inquiry-based integrated teaching approach. We offer on-site and outreach programs specifically designed to meet the needs and interests of your group. 

Most programs include a lecture, a walk, or a combination of the two, with an experienced naturalist.

Sanctuaries with Adult Group Programs

Online Programs for Groups

Learn from the comfort of your home, office, or meeting space with these online programs for groups, offered statewide.

Discover the basics of birding, all about Massachusetts wildlife, how to responsibly steward land, and more. 

Programs are 1 hour in length, with 45 minutes of content and a chance for Q&A. Conveniently hosted via your organization’s video presentation platform, or ours.

Contact us to learn more and schedule your program. 

Offered Year-round

Introduction to Birds & Birdwatching

What are those intriguing birds in your neighborhood, along the roadways, and outside your windows—and what are they doing? Find out what makes birds unique within the animal kingdom, where and how to locate birds in different settings, and basic bird biology and behavior. You’ll learn birdwatching basics from the experts, including various tools and resources for identifying and how to support local and global bird populations. Birdwatching is one of the fastest growing life-long, recreational activities in North America—here’s your chance to jump on the bandwagon and start this rewarding hobby.

Living with Wildlife in Massachusetts

We share Massachusetts with a diverse range of wildlife that you may have come across exploring your neighborhood or making headlines in the news. Learn about commonly encountered wildlife such as deer, coyote, and raccoons, and their intersection with the wild and developed spaces we inhabit. Find out best practices for maintaining bird feeders and attracting visitors. From amazing pollinators to problematic mosquitoes and ticks, we’ll introduce some incredible insects and how they impact each other. Whether you watch it from your window or your timeline, you’ll learn more about how to peacefully co-exist with these unique neighbors here

Landscaping & Gardening for Wildlife

Do you have a true green thumb? Meaning, are you taking into account the complete ecosystem around the land you care for? Learn how you can support local species by utilizing wildlife-friendly gardening practices in your home, business, and community settings. Simple, easy actions like keeping fall leaves on the ground could have huge effects, and bring in more butterflies, come spring! Learn about what to do, and not do, in your yard, garden, or even container, to support nearby birds, frogs, pollinators, and more in a sustainable fashion.

Offered Seasonally

The Nature of Spring (Spring)

Springtime in Massachusetts is filled with unique seasonal wonders and mysteries. What animals are making noises in the evenings and why? Who is migrating back or waking from their winter slumbers? What kind of wildflowers are popping up near the sidewalks and woodland trails? This online program will introduce the seasonal dynamics of nature in spring, and provide ideas and resources for observing, appreciating, and supporting wildlife near home during this season.

Birding By Ear (Spring)

If you’ve ever been confused by birdsong outside your window or in the field, don’t miss this chance to learn how, why, and most importantly, which birds are singing.
You’ll learn about vocalizations, differences between songs and calls, and how to decipher what you hear now and in the coming months. Come away with a basic skill set for listening to the cacophony of spring, and tools for identifying new and unusual songs. Brief discussion sessions will be offered for those wishing to practice. Combine this class with local bird walks to deepen your birding experience.

The Nature of Summer (Summer)

Summertime in Massachusetts is filled with unique seasonal wonders and mysteries. What insects can you hear, and do you know how to tell the temperature by crickets chirping? Why do we see turtles sitting on top of logs on sunny summer days? What animals are raising their young and how do different wildlife species survive in summer conditions? Learn the how and why of summer phenomena, as well as ways to explore and protect nature close to home.

Beachcombing for Signs of Wildlife (Summer)

From the rolling dunes of Cape Cod to the rocky North Shore, the beaches of Massachusetts offer unique opportunities for life to converge. Learn how to read the landscape, search for wildlife, and understand the ecological relationships between species you may be familiar with. How do horseshoe crabs, least tern, ribbed mussels, and people interact on the coastline? Explore best practices when combing the beach in search of wildlife clues and leave with recommendations from Mass Audubon Teacher-Naturalists on the best places to explore.

The Nature of Fall (Fall)

Autumn in Massachusetts is filled with seasonal wonders and mysteries unique to our state. Why do leaves change color and fall off their trees? What animals are rustling through those crunchy, fallen leaves, and what are they doing? Why don’t we hear birds, crickets, and bees anymore? This online program will introduce the seasonal dynamics of the nature of Massachusetts in fall, including the plants and animals that experience it. You’ll also leave with ideas and suggestions for observing, appreciating, and supporting nature near home.

All About Hawks (Fall)

Learn all about the most common species of hawks in Massachusetts, including how to tell them apart, their life cycles, and their hunting abilities. Many local hawks migrate to their wintering grounds in Central and South America each fall, which provides a perfect opportunity for observers like you. You’ll also learn about how hawk conservation relies on policies and actions that protect hawk habitats and keep their foods free of toxins. Get introduced to these amazing birds of prey and find out how you can support them.

The Nature of Winter (Winter)

The nature of Massachusetts is filled with seasonal mysteries waiting to be uncovered. Have you ever wondered which animal left tracks in the snow? What happens to pond animals under a layer of ice? Or what trees are lining the trails on your winter walks? This online program will introduce the seasonal dynamics of nature in winter, and provide ideas and resources for observing, appreciating, and supporting wildlife near home this winter.

Discover the Joys of Bird Feeding (Winter)

Looking for a way to brighten your yard and mood this winter? Backyard bird feeding is a wonderful way to attract birds to your property, still feel connected to nature while inside, and get to know the characteristics and behaviors of common birds. We’ll discuss different feeder types, the best seed to put in them, the birds they’ll attract, how to outsmart squirrels, and other ways to encourage birdlife into your yard and community.

Contact us to learn more and schedule your program.