News & Project Updates
Mass Audubon is constantly working to permanently protect additional acres for conservation, often in collaboration with other organizations, agencies, and individuals. We've successfully protected stands of old growth forest in the Berkshires, coastal habitats on Cape Cod, precious salt marshes on the North Shore, and every type of habitat in between.
Urgent Land Projects
© Paul Richardson
Pawtucket Farm: Lowell, MAWhen Rollie Perron and other family members decided it was time to sell their 20-acre Christmas tree farm – the last one in Lowell – they hoped it might be possible to benefit the community. Others hoped so, too, and we now have a chance to do it with your help! |
Jennison Road: Wendell, MAMass Audubon and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) have an opportunity to permanently protect 35 forested acres in Wendell adjacent to the Whetstone Wood Wildlife Sanctuary. |
Recent Projects & Successes
Land Conservation
Published on May 16, 2023
On April 19, 2023, Mass Audubon accepted a gift of 185 acres of land in Holliston from Jim and Pat Poitras that will form the base of a new wildlife sanctuary called Broad Hill.
Land Conservation
Published on April 5, 2023
Thanks to an amazing public-private partnership, 69 acres of prime wildlife habitat adjacent to Wachusett Mountain State Reservation and Mass Audubon’s Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary are now permanently protected.
Land Conservation
Published on March 3, 2023
The recent protection of Bedrock Ledge, almost 300 acres in Becket, MA, brings us closer to achieving our goal of Protecting and Stewarding Resilient Landscapes as set out in our Action Agenda. It is a prime example of working with partners to protect the Commonwealth’s most climate resilient and diverse habitats.
Land Conservation
Published on January 11, 2023
This rolling, forested parcel was protected through a partnership of Mass Audubon and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Watershed Protection Division.
Land Conservation
Published on December 22, 2022
On Friday, December 9, 2022, faith and perseverance were rewarded with the acquisition and protection of 180 acres of important wildlife habitat abutting the Cold Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.
Land Conservation
Published on December 13, 2022
On November 1, 2022, Mass Audubon was given 31 acres of land next to Eagle Lake Wildlife Sanctuary in Holden, MA by the estate of Edna Tilander. While it is only four miles or so from the City of Worcester (New England’s second largest city), a visit to this property is a trip into a different world.
Land Conservation
Published on July 18, 2022
Mass Audubon recently partnered with Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust and 12 landowners to protect over 700 acres in the Greater Gales Brook Conservation Project.
Land Conservation
Published on July 18, 2022
On June 15, 2022 Mass Audubon completed the protection of roughly 110 acres of land and a critically important connection between our Whetstone Wood Wildlife Sanctuary (a large sanctuary protected for wildlife with little impact from people) and Wendell State Forest.
Land Conservation
Published on January 18, 2022
Mass Audubon recently protected an important 16-acre parcel that sits at the entrance to Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary and runs alongside one of the sanctuary's trails.
Land Conservation
Published on July 2, 2021
What’s big, green, near lots of people, and will now be here forever? The answer is the Bear Hole landscape—a beautiful open space of 1,400 acres, comprised of intact forest and diverse habitats in West Springfield at the southern end of the Connecticut River Valley.
Land Conservation
Published on July 1, 2021
With support from the City of Northampton, Mass Audubon added 16 acres of state-designated "Critical Natural Landscape & Core Habitat" to Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in the Connecticut River Valley.
Land Conservation
Published on June 30, 2021
Whetstone Wood Wildlife Sanctuary, Mass Audubon’s largest wildlife sanctuary, just added another 20 acres of prime forest and wooded wetlands that bridges the protected land from west to east across New Salem Road in Wendell.
Land Conservation
Published on February 18, 2021
Mass Audubon has received a new permanent Conservation Restriction from the Town of Marshfield for a 13.3-acre property that borders our North River Wildlife Sanctuary and consists of oak and pine forest with a lovely tributary to Hannah Eames Brook running through it.
Land Conservation
Published on February 16, 2021
Thanks to the efforts of many, the remaining 67 acres of the Patten Hill property in Shelburne Falls have been permanently protected! We are so grateful for all who contributed to this important conservation effort.
Land Conservation
Published on January 29, 2021
Mass Audubon received a donation of 2.73 acres of land next to the Museum of American Bird Art at Mass Audubon (MABA) in Canton. The new addition—called the Carroll Property—features a lovely series of rapids, or cascades, of Pequit Brook that runs along the Main Loop Trail.