Equitable Access to Nature
Mass Audubon is committed to increasing equitable access to nature for everyone, regardless of income, physical ability, or location. This includes access to greenspaces, environmental education, career opportunities, and more.
Why Equitable Access to Nature Matters
Everyone has a right to enjoy nature’s benefits—from clean air and water to shade and recreation. Unfortunately, many people face barriers that make it difficult for them to enjoy greenspaces. This could include too few community parks, limited transportation options, inaccessible design, or a lack of environmental education programs.
We must invite everyone to the conservation conversation to make effective, lasting change and can only achieve our goals collaboratively. That's why Mass Audubon is working to expand equitable access to nature for all.
What We're Doing to Increase Equitable Access to Nature
Our multi-faceted approach includes lifting the barriers to Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries while working with local communities and partner organizations to create more strategically located greenspaces.
In addition, we're making summer camps more affordable and bringing environmental education to school systems in disinvested communities throughout the state. And by expanding early career options, we can kickstart a growing workforce of young professionals with historically underrepresented identities in the conservation field.
What We're Doing
Nature in the City
Mass Audubon is working to increase and restore urban greenspaces in communities that have historically lacked access to nature.
Early Career Programs
Young professionals with underrepresented identities in the conservation field are encouraged to apply to our growing early career programs.
Making Nature Accessible
Our accessible wildlife sanctuaries, sensory friendly nature programs, and more invite everyone to join us in the great outdoors.
Camp for All Pricing
Sliding-scale tuition eases financial barriers so that every child can experience the wonders of nature camp.
Broadening Nature Lessons
Mass Audubon is committed to providing high-quality environmental education to students in disinvested communities, in and out of the classroom.
Expanding Access to Wildlife Sanctuaries
Free admission for select groups and accessibility features enables more people to get outdoors.
Our Goals
As we strive to protect the nature of Massachusetts, we will do so with an eye toward greater equity.
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20
New urban greenspaces including 3 new wildlife sanctuaries
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$2 million
Scholarships awarded to low-income families for nature education and camps.
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300,000
Children who will benefit from our education, preschool, and camp programs.
Featured Stories
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Protecting Pawtucket Farm in Lowell
When Rollie Perron and his family 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.
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Boston Nature Center, MattapanBoston Tree Alliance
Created by the City of Boston’s Cabinet of Environment, Energy, and Open Space, the Boston Tree Alliance aims to equitably grow the urban tree canopy in Boston through tree planting and care on privately-owned land in environmental justice communities in Boston.
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Magazine Beach Nature Center, CambridgeOld Building Becomes New Nature Center
Thanks to a partnership between Mass Audubon and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, we will bring nature education programming to Magazine Beach.
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Canoe Meadows, Pittsfield © Jan WernerDoctor-Prescribed Nature Through the Culture Rx Program
The benefits of nature offered at Mass Audubon's wildlife sanctuaries will now be directly available to patients of three Berkshire health care providers.
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Spotted SalamanderCreating Greater Access to Nature
I've been seeing firsthand how Mass Audubon is creating opportunities for people like you and me to get out and experience all that nature has to offer.
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City Living for Trees
Urban trees are a bit different from the ones populating more rural forests and face unique challenges. Mass Audubon’s first urban ecologist, Erica Holm, shares some of the thoughts and considerations that play into urban forestry.
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All Persons Trail Expansion
Access to nature is one of the top three organizational priorities in Mass Audubon’s five-year Action Agenda: we’re strengthening our capacity to welcome individuals of all abilities into our programming, nature centers, and onto our trail systems.
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Rites of Passage Program Connects Boston Students with Nature
The “Rites of Passage” program to connects Boston middle school students with the wonders of nature.
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Accessibility in Nature
For decades, Mass Audubon has made nature experiences universally accessible by providing supported opportunities for people of all abilities. Recently, we expanded offerings to include career training, volunteer programs, sensory days, and more.
Latest News
See More
George Durante, Senior Director of Nature in the City, and Adena Leibman, Senior Director of Conservation Strategy
Mass Audubon hires former NOAA senior advisor, MassDevelopment TDI deputy director to fill two major roles
Learn More
Bird Your Way: Slowly, by Ear, in Place, and Beyond
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Mass Audubon, GreenRoots, and The Neighborhood Developers Plan New Climate Resilient Park with Housing in Chelsea
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Take Action
We need your curiosity, commitment, and passion to ensure that our lands become more resilient, that more people than ever experience the magic of nature, and that we fight climate change—now and in the future.
Stay Connected
Don't miss a beat on all the ways you can get outdoors, celebrate nature, and get involved.