Metro West

Unplug and unwind at these 7 engaging wildlife sanctuaries in the Metro West area.

Nature Centers & Trails

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, Natick

Easy-to-rugged, well-groomed trails weave through the shade of mature woodlands into open fields and along the edges of vibrant streams, ponds, marshland, and the Charles River. Explore Broadmoor

Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln

A working farm and wildlife sanctuary with sheep, goats, chickens, cows, and pigs; sustainably-grown crops; trails; and resident owls and foxes. Explore Drumlin Farm

Habitat Education Center, Belmont

Just six miles from downtown Boston, find gentle trails that wind through forests, across meadows, and around ponds and formal gardens. Explore Habitat

Magazine Beach Park Nature Center, Cambridge

Thanks to a partnership between Mass Audubon and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Mass Audubon will bring our Nature in the City initiative to this urban greenspace along the Charles River. Explore Magazine Beach Nature Center

Trails Only

Brewster's Woods Wildlife Sanctuary, Concord

Situated along the Concord River, this was formerly the country homestead of Mass Audubon's first president—ornithologist William Brewster. Limited parking. Explore Brewster's Woods

Nashoba Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Westford

Migrating songbirds rest and feed in the fields and woodlands of Nashoba Brook, which consists of various sanctuary parcels, and the Town of Westford’s Richard Emmet Conservation Land. Explore Nashoba Brook

Waseeka Wildlife Sanctuary, Hopkinton

With its forest that opens up to a secluded pond, Waseeka offers the opportunity to observe woodland birds and waterbirds, wildflowers, and a fire-enhanced forest. Explore Waseeka

Not Ready for Visitors

Farrar Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln

16 acres

Farrar Pond Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in a residential area, bordered to the north by Route 117 (South Great Road) and to the south by Farrar Pond. The property includes a private residence used for Mass Audubon staff housing, but a public walking trail through the wildlife sanctuary connects with trails in town and other nearby conservation lands.

Conservation Features: Most of the wildlife sanctuary consists of upland forest with a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees. Although the habitat types present at Farrar Pond are not rare, the mixed forest is of relatively high quality, having few non-native species present and closely resembling oak-hemlock-white pine natural community type as described by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.

Weld Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, Dedham

13 acres

Weld Pond Wildlife Sanctuary is bordered to the west by the I-95/Route 128 corridor, to the east and south by Weld Pond, and to the north by private residences. It is approximately 300 feet south of the 213-acre Wilson Mountain Reservation, owned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. 

Conservation Features: The wildlife sanctuary is entirely forested. The forest cover is largely dominated by native oaks, although scattered white pines are present in the eastern portions of the wildlife sanctuary. Except for along the western and northern boundaries of the wildlife sanctuary few non-native plants are present. It serves as an island of largely undisturbed wildlife habitat within the densely developed I-95/Route 128 beltway.