Regional News

Growing up, I would constantly see Latino communities on the news being bombarded with disaster after disaster. It hurt me to see my community suffering, and I wanted to help them in some way. This sent me down the long and challenging path of environmental justice.  

Come visit our Nature Preschool at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary.

Youth is our future; this is why it’s important to take action. Action comes in many forms like working on composting projects, joining environmental programs, and so much more. 

Fourth grade students at Farmington River Elementary School in Otis were inspired to raise money for Mass Audubon’s conservation work after learning about the plight of Monarch butterflies and working with Mass Audubon educators.

John Green is a very well-known and respected naturalist with a specialty of birding by ear who has worked throughout the Connecticut River Valley since the 1970s. For decades, John has been inspiring Connecticut River Valley program participants with his knowledge of the natural world, birding expertise, and beautiful photography.

"Mass Audubon’s work is wonderful and much needed, especially in the age of climate change and ever-rising population. How can you not want to take on this fight?"

Mass Audubon educators at based at Arcadia were presented with a unique opportunity when they approached the Easthampton Learning Foundation (ELF) about a grant for nature programs in the district’s schools.  

The tower overlooking the Mill River was renovated last fall to improve safety, aesthetics, and function. Now you can come see the handiwork (and scenery) for yourself!

If you've ever enjoyed a walk on Arcadia's trails, parked in our plowed lot in winter, or admired the sanctuary's energy-efficient upgrades, then you've benefited from the work of Trevor Chalmers.

Charlotte Hood and Tom Gregg, Student Conservation Association Interns, are wrapping up their eight-month internship and have lessons and gratitude to share.

More than 50 volunteers turned out in the last days of October 2020 to help restore a floodplain forest at Arcadia. Now, a second round of funding will expand the restoration effort to an additional 5 acres.

With 249 total species reported on eBird, Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary tops the list as the #1 birding hotspot in all of central and western Massachusetts.

The benefits of nature offered at Mass Audubon's wildlife sanctuaries will now be directly available to patients of three Berkshire health care providers: MACONY Pediatrics of Pittsfield, Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires, and Community Health Programs.

The benefits of nature offered at Mass Audubon's wildlife sanctuaries will now be directly available to patients of three Berkshire health care providers: MACONY Pediatrics of Pittsfield, Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires, and Community Health Programs.

At Mass Audubon, we are committed to ensuring that every child can experience the friendships, community, confidence, and connection to nature that takes place at our summer camps. 

Mass Audubon’s Action Agenda addresses three critical challenges of our time: the rapid loss of wildlife habitat, inequitable access to nature, and the threat of climate change. 

On July 27, 2021 Pleasant Valley was hit by a devastating storm. The microburst it produced uprooted or snapped hundreds of mature trees in a swath across the entrance and trail-laden section of the sanctuary. The boardwalk reopened in July 2022 following repairs.

"I love being the friendly face they see upon arrival and helping them map the perfect route to hike. It’s very rewarding to help someone find their "nature-legs", so-to-speak."

In July 2021, damaging winds from a severe thunderstorm blew down approximately 10 acres of trees on Lenox Mountain. The regeneration of the forest at Pleasant Valley will take decades.

Libby Herland joined the Berkshire Sanctuaries Advisory Committee in January 2018 just a few months after retiring from a career dedicated to conservation.

The benefits of nature offered at Mass Audubon's wildlife sanctuaries will now be directly available to patients of three Berkshire health care providers: MACONY Pediatrics of Pittsfield, Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires, and Community Health Programs.

Old Baldy Mountain gets its name from the open summit. But without active habitat management, trees would overtake the summit's field and thicket within just 20 years.

If you've enjoyed a Mass Audubon naturalist-led hike, school field trip, library program, or summer camp in the Berkshires and Connecticut River Valley area this year, then you've benefited from the work of Dale Abrams.