5 Behind-the-Scenes Ways Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Connected You to Nature in 2025

Loved your visit to Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary? Our dedicated teams in property, operations, volunteer, and education work behind the scenes to create engaging educational programs and to improve the sanctuary’s ecology. Here are five ways we strive to make every visitor feel welcome and help you connect with nature!

1. Rockery Boardwalk Upgrade

In the fall, we completed a two-part project to repair and level the weathered boardwalk planks leading to the Rockery Grotto and Rockery Loop Trail. Our goal? To ensure everyone can walk along this trail safely. As you explore this area, you will find it is home to a variety of native trees such as American Beech, Black Cherry, and Eastern Hemlock. These trees provide nuts, seeds, and fruits that support wildlife. Each step along the trail surrounding the Rockery Pond offers the chance to identify local wildlife, including Painted Turtles swimming underwater or a Great Blue Heron walking slowly through the cattails.

2. New Education Programs

Over the course of the year, we brought back adult programs like the Owl Prowl and introduced exciting new ones such as Birding by Canoe. With a broader selection of workshops and guided tours—ranging from birdwatching and yoga to native gardening and a new toddler program—there truly is something for everyone.

3. The Innermost Pavilion

Visitors to Ipswich River now have a place to picnic, host a kid’s birthday party, or enjoy a casual get-together. This new sheltered outdoor space, framed in cedar, is conveniently located near the parking lot, restrooms, trailheads, and the Nature Play area.

4. New Volunteer Opportunity

Each month, on the last Saturday, volunteers take part in Stewardship Saturdays. They dedicate their time to projects that include everything from caring for the sanctuary by removing invasive species and clearing trails to raking and mulching.

5. Habitat Enhancement

Next time you visit, you might notice changes along the southern edge of Arbor Field. Our ecological management effort involved removing a quarter of an acre of the invasive Glossy Buckthorn. This species tends to outcompete native plants for vital resources like light, nutrients, and space. By addressing this issue, we are not only improving the appearance of our landscape but also supporting a healthier ecosystem.

What Our Visitors' Surveys are Saying

"I am always happy to visit Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary for hiking, meditation, and feeling grounded. All staff are always there to help and are kind to visitors. That's one of my favorite places to be in this country."

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