Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries. New Individual and Family memberships are just $35! Start your membership
Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries. New Individual and Family memberships are just $35! Start your membership
Green trees with Boston Skyline

Equitable Access to Nature

Mass Audubon is committed to increasing inclusive and equitable access to nature, so that everyone in the state regardless of income, physical ability or location has access to greenspaces, environmental education, and career opportunities.

Why Equitable Access to Nature Matters

Everyone deserves to enjoy nature’s benefits—from clean air and water to shade and recreation. Yet many families face barriers that make it difficult for them to access greenspaces: few community parks, limited transportation options, and a lack of available nature education programs.

What We're Doing

Nature in the City

Increasing and restoring urban greenspaces in communities that have historically lacked access to nature.

A group photo of the 2022-2023 Environmental Fellows. From Left to Right: Anna Cass, Jovan Bryan, Amara Chittenden, Isabela Chachapoyas, Isabella Guerero
The 2022-2023 Environmental Fellows, from left to right: Anna Cass, Jovan Bryan, Amara Chittenden, Isabela Chachapoyas,and Isabella Guerero

Early Career Programs

Opportunities for young professionals with identities that are underrepresented in the conservation field. 

A Sensory Trail sign about butterfly life cycles
Sensory Trail sign about butterfly life cycles

Accessibility

Ensuring that people of all abilities can meaningfully enjoy the nature of Massachusetts.

Campers playing on hill behind BNC

Camp for All

Ensuring that every family that wants their child to experience summer camp has the chance to do so.

Educator leading program in classroom

School Programs

Providing environmental education to students disinvested communities, in and out of school.

Family hiking up rocky forest trail
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield

Expanding Access to Sanctuaries

Making it easier for people throughout Massachusetts to get outdoors with free admission for select groups.

Our Goals

As we strive to protect the nature of Massachusetts, we will do so with an eye toward greater equity.

  • 20

    New urban greenspaces include 3 new wildlife sanctuaries

  • $2 million

    Scholarships awarded to low-income families for nature education and camps.

  • 300,000

    Children who will benefit from our education, preschool, and camp programs.

Featured Stories

  • Trees in a field at Pawtucket Farm

    Urgent Land Project: Pawtucket Farm (formerly Rollie's Farm), Lowell

    When 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!

  • Magazine beach building with people out front and a bicycle next to a bench
    Magazine Beach Nature Center, Cambridge

    Old 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.

  • A wooden bridge crosses over a small pond, surrounded by lush, green shrubs and trees.
    Canoe Meadows, Pittsfield © Jan Werner

    Doctor-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.

Broadmoor

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.

Become a Member

Make a lasting impact for people and wildlife.

Join Today

Advocate

Help bring about nature-based climate solutions.

Speak Up

Donate

Be a force to protect the nature of Massachusetts.

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