Press Room

Mass Audubon has re-opened trails on many of its wildlife sanctuaries across the Commonwealth, from the Cape and Islands to Worcester County, the Connecticut River Valley, and the Berkshires.

Its nature centers and other buildings remain closed at present, but after careful analysis and discussions with local officials and community leaders, the state’s largest nature conservation nonprofit is welcoming its members and other visitors to miles of trails on two dozen wildlife sanctuaries.

Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, through its Drumlin Farm Food Donation Project, is partnering with Food For Free of Cambridge to provide fresh vegetables and eggs to Cambridge families in need.

Each week, the popular Lincoln wildlife sanctuary and working farm delivers some of its sustainably grown bounty to Cambridge, where Food For Free distributes it to those facing food insecurity, a crisis made more dire because of the coronavirus.

Mass Audubon’s Bird-a-thon, which typically sends teams of birders rambling throughout the Commonwealth in a friendly competition to identify the most species in 24-hour period, is staying at home this year, to respect social distancing. Participants in the statewide event, taking place Friday-Saturday, May 15-16, will spend time observing and identifying species from selected observation spots—a window, backyard, or a green space within short walking or biking distance from their homes.

Mass Audubon, like every public and private institution in Massachusetts and across the country, is confronting enormous challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Since mid-March, our offices and wildlife sanctuaries have been closed and all programs cancelled for the safety of staff and visitors. These actions, while necessary, have led to a substantial loss of income.

Despite implementing many cost-saving initiatives, we have come to the distressing realization that further measures must be taken including furloughing a number of employees and reducing the salaries of remaining staff based on salary levels.

Mass Audubon has named David O’Neill the 11th President of the state’s largest nature conservation organization.

O’Neill has dedicated his professional career to conservation. For the last five years, he has served as the Chief Conservation Officer and Senior Advisor to the CEO of National Audubon Society (NAS). While there, his powerful vision, collaborative nature, and ability to raise critical funds elevated the entire organization.