This year, Mass Audubon turns 130 years old—that's 13 decades of protecting birds, conserving habitats, and inspiring people across Massachusetts to care for the natural world.
In 1896, Harriet Lawrence Hemenway and Minna B. Hall sparked a movement after witnessing the devastating impact of the feather trade on bird populations. By rallying their communities to reject the fashion trend, they proved that passionate people can change the course of conservation—and their legacy continues to shape our work today.
Today, we carry that spark forward. From expanding access to nature to advancing climate solutions and strengthening landscape resiliency, Mass Audubon is building a future where both people and wildlife can thrive.
Mass Audubon’s 130th Birthday Wishlist
To celebrate 13 decades, we’re making 13 wishes—not for cake or candles, but for birds, wild places, and the people who love them. Each wish is an invitation to explore, protect, and take action. Ready to help make them come true?
1) Explore a New Trail
With hundreds of miles of trails winding through forests, meadows, coasts, and wetlands, adventure is always within reach. Whether you’re chasing views, quiet moments, or wildlife sightings, every trail offers a new story to discover. Pick a path you’ve never tried and let curiosity lead the way. Find a new trail
2) Volunteer to Help Secure Lasting Funding for Nature in Massachusetts
Nature needs a bold, long-term investment. With the Nature for Massachusetts Coalition and the Nature for All Act, Mass Audubon is advocating for dedicated funding to conserve land, protect water, expand outdoor access, and strengthen climate resilience—without raising taxes. Use your voice, and volunteer, to help ensure Massachusetts invests in nature, now and for the future. Support the Nature for All Act
3) Stay in Sync with Nature Through Our Outdoor Almanac
Nature is always changing—and our Outdoor Almanac helps you keep up. From seasonal wildlife sightings to celestial events, it’s your guide to what’s happening in Massachusetts right now. Follow along and deepen your connection to the world outside your door. Get this month’s almanac
4) Protect Palmer Brook for the Next 130+ Years
Some places are too special to lose—and Palmer Brook is one of them. Protecting this landscape in Beckett means safeguarding wildlife habitat, clean water, and natural beauty for generations to come. Help ensure this future wildlife sanctuary remains wild, resilient, and accessible for decades ahead. Protect Palmer Brook
5) Go Birding!
At the heart of our birthday wish list is our favorite way to connect with nature—birding of course! When you stop to notice the changing cast of flying friends you share your home with, a whole new world opens up. Join a Mass Audubon birding program to explore new habitats, sharpen your skills, and discover species you might otherwise miss. Bird with us
6) Brighten Your Timeline: Share Your Adventure
Nature moments are meant to be shared. Post your favorite outdoor discoveries on social media and tag @massaudubon on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and TikTok to inspire others. Your story might be the spark that gets someone else outside.
7) Lead the Way as a Climate and Nature Champion
Big change starts with people who care enough to speak up. Mass Audubon’s Climate and Nature Champions bring together advocates across the state to push for policies that protect land, wildlife, air, and water. Whether you’re new to advocacy or a seasoned changemaker, your voice can help shape a healthier future. Stay informed on ways to get involved
8) Feed the Birds
A bird feeder turns your backyard into a living nature show. Stock up on seed and supplies from the Mass Audubon Shop and enjoy close-up views of feathered visitors, especially during the colder months when the extra food helps supplement their natural diets. Sometimes the most memorable wildlife encounters happen just outside your window. Check out our bird feeding guide
9) Send a Budding Naturalist to Camp
Summer camp can ignite a lifelong love of nature. Through sliding-scale pricing and scholarships, Mass Audubon helps more children experience outdoor adventure, build confidence, and connect with the natural world. Your support helps ensure every child has the chance to explore. Connect kids to camp
10) Start a Nature Journal
Nature journaling blends observation, creativity, and reflection. Sketch a bird, record a sunrise, or note the first blooms of spring—your journal becomes a personal time capsule of the natural world. All you need is curiosity and a place to capture it. Start journaling
11) Join a Sanctuary Volunteer Project
From trail building and invasive plant removal to gardening, habitat restoration, and community action, there are countless ways to get involved. Volunteering connects you with nature, new people, and a shared purpose. Join a project—or mark your calendar for Mass Audubon’s Statewide Volunteer Day on April 25—to help steward the land you love. Give Back
12) Share the Love with a Gift Membership
Think of a Mass Audubon membership as a year-round invitation to explore, learn, and connect with nature. Give the gift of membership to a friend, family member, or fellow nature lover—and help power conservation work across Massachusetts. This present gives back to birds, habitats, and communities, year after year. Give the gift of membership
13) Make a Birthday Gift to Nature
For our 130th birthday, we’re wishing for a future where birds thrive, habitats endure, and people feel deeply connected to nature. Consider making a birthday gift of $13, $130, or any amount to support Mass Audubon’s conservation, education, and climate work. Together, we can help shape the next 130 years of impact—and beyond.
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