A Nature Year at Wachusett Meadow

Immerse yourself in a full year of local natural history. With a skilled Mass Audubon naturalist as your guide, experience the cycle of the seasons at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton. Gain extensive natural history knowledge, form a community with like-minded, curious adults, and receive the many benefits of spending time outdoors.

Each month, you will focus on a special topic, natural community, or seasonal phenomenon. In winter, learn about animal tracks and sign, tree identification, and the American Woodcock. During spring, search for spring ephemerals, explore the unique way stone walls impact the nature that surrounds them, and learn about the fascinating world of dragonflies and damselflies. Spend the summer delving into the world of ferns, grasses, rushes, and sedges, and the monarch butterfly. Finally, in autumn we'll explore the nature of fall, the ecology of beavers, and end the year with a look at plants that stay green in winter.

Make the most of your relationship with nature-join today!

We will usually start inside with an introduction and then head out for our adventure in the field which will be at least 90 minutes outside. We'll travel mainly on trails and boardwalks, actively exploring and experiencing various habitats and sanctuary spots.

2026 Schedule*

*Subject to change in timing or topic, depending on what nature provides.

12 sessions, 2 hours each

Third Saturday of each month, January - December 2026.

Usual time will be 10 am-noon, plus two evenings, one in March and one in May.

January 17, 10:00-noon: Tracking and Sign

February 21, 10:00-noon: Winter Trees by Their Bark

March 21, evening 6:30-8:30pm: The American Woodcock

April 18, 10:00-noon: Spring Ephemerals

May 16, evening 5:30-7:30pm: Beaver Ecology

June 20, 10:00-noon: Dragonflies and Damselflies

July 18, 10:00-noon: Ferns

August 15 10:00-noon: Grasses, Rushes, and Sedges

September 19, :00-noon: The Monarch Butterfly

October 17, 10:00-noon: Nature of Fall

November 21, 10:00-noon: Stone Walls

December 19, 10:00-noon: Winter-Greens

Additional educators - Doug Williams, Mal Duggan, Clair Degutis, and Brian David Steinberg.