Climate Action Focus On Groundhog Day at Drumlin Farm

LINCOLN, MA.—Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln is set to host its annual Groundhog Day event on Saturday, February 2, with a new focus on climate science and weather. “Climate Action Day” will feature activities centered on what children and adults can do to learn about and respond to the effects of climate change.

The event will again feature Ms. G, the Official State Groundhog of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as she emerges from her winter hibernation and determines whether or not spring will come early this year.

“The impact of climate change on people and wildlife in New England is already evident, but that doesn’t mean that there is nothing that we can do about it,” explained Drumlin Farm Sanctuary Director Renata Pomponi. “Climate Action Day is intended to be a way for families to engage with a serious issue in a positive way, focusing on the small but meaningful actions that they can take in their own lives to help meet this challenge.

"As the Commonwealth’s most prominent wildlife ambassador, Ms. G serves as a symbol of the animals and their habitat that we all can help to protect by working together in our communities,” Pomponi noted.

The traditional Groundhog Day ceremony and forecast start at 10 am (encore at 11:15 am), followed by winter activities such as meeting resident wildlife, exploring wilderness trails, and learning how to identify animal tracks in the snow. A live music performance will take place at noon, and hot cocoa will be provided throughout the day.

Drumlin Farm will be open on February 2 from 9 am–4 pm. This special event takes place from 10 am to 3 pm and is free with paid admission ($9 adults and teens; $6 children 2–12 and seniors), and free for Mass Audubon members.

Featured Programs:

• Learn the forecast for spring’s arrival from our woodchuck weather expert (six more weeks of winter if she sees her shadow; an early spring if she doesn’t).
• Visit with more of our resident wildlife and farm animals, learn about winter tracking, and explore the wildlife sanctuary’s trails
• Listen to live music performed by the local band Sweet Wednesday from 12-3 pm
• Make winter crafts to take home
• Investigate our local climate with Don McCasland of Blue Hill Observatory Science Center
• Purchase produce grown at Drumlin Farm
• Learn how climate change impacts hibernating species in New England

Ms. G was declared the Official State Groundhog by then-Governor Deval Patrick on July 31, 2014, when he signed the proposed bill submitted by Wellesley’s Hunnewell Elementary School students, enacting it into law.

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This program is supported in part by a grant from the Lincoln Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.