Regional News

Thanks to a generous grant, Allens Pond is hosting a free "Nature Discovery & STEAM" program series through autumn! Next programs start in October.

What a fantastic 18th year for the Duck Derby and an amazing way to celebrate Mass Audubon's 125th anniversary! See the official list of the winners, and thank you to everyone who participated.

In August 2019, longtime Dartmouth resident Maureen Jones received a call informing her that her duck had just won her the Duck Derby grand prize. "I was floored!" she said. "I enter the Duck Derby every year, but I always just buy one duck for $10."

Summer is here, and it's brought the opportunity to explore a newly created space along the Boulder Loop as part of the sanctuary's trail system!

Each year, coastal waterbirds such as Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and American Oystercatchers return to their summer homes on the Massachusetts shoreline. And each year, our Coastal Waterbird Program (CWP) team works to protect the habitats that are crucial to the continued recovery of these threatened birds.

Allens Pond and Great Neck have been awarded $150,000 through an EPA program to restore saltmarsh habitats and make them more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

If you've visited Daniel Webster this fall, you've probably noticed there's a lot of dirt and very little grass. Just wait—spring 2021 will bring lush, renewed meadows full of nesting birds and native pollinators!

Thanks to a generous grant, Allens Pond is hosting a free "Nature Discovery & STEAM" program series through autumn! Next programs start in October.

After a few COVID-related setbacks, all sections and trails at Great Neck are now open for visitors to explore—including the new, expanded area of the former Sacred Hearts property!

A lot has happened since Mass Audubon acquired the former Sacred Hearts property in summer 2019! We've made great progress in restoring these 110 acres to their natural, wild state.

We are thrilled to announce that the $2.6 million goal was met to protect the Sacred Hearts property! Our offer was officially accepted on February 14, and we're excited to be on our way to purchasing 110 acres to expand Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.

Each year, coastal waterbirds such as Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and American Oystercatchers return to their summer homes on the Massachusetts shoreline. And each year, our Coastal Waterbird Program (CWP) team works to protect the habitats that are crucial to the continued recovery of these threatened birds.

If you've visited Daniel Webster this fall, you've probably noticed there's a lot of dirt and very little grass. Just wait—spring 2021 will bring lush, renewed meadows full of nesting birds and native pollinators!

Our teen homeschool participants have been caring for rare Blanding's Turtle hatchlings since September 2020 as part of the USFWS Turtle Repatriation Project. 

Thanks to many generous donors, we were able to purchase, and permanently protect, the 25-acre Dorrance property (also known as Norma's Woods) adjacent to the sanctuary!

Throughout April and May, some 50 dedicated volunteers made their way to Tidmarsh every week—some multiple times a week—to count migrating river herring as part of a statewide effort to track their population. 

Our property staff has been working hard on a 0.3-mile All Persons Trail that—once finished—will enable visitors of all abilities to pass through our meadow, access our overlook platform, and get close to our restored marsh areas. 

Mass Audubon has partnered with the Town of Plymouth to restore the town-owned Foothills Preserve as well as the West Beaver Dam Brook. We're committed to restoring, enhancing, and improving the ecosystem and natural landscape at Tidmarsh to provide quality habitat for vulnerable species.

Things have been getting greener at Tidmarsh! In addition to restoring the West Branch of Beaver Dam Brook, we've also been working to improve the sanctuary's offices by adding some additional "green" features—including a brand-new roof.

We're thrilled to announce that Tidmarsh has received a grant award from the Middleborough Cultural Council to support a new program series aimed at removing barriers that can prevent families from participating in nature-based experiences.