Mass Audubon offers high-quality programs for adult groups such as garden clubs, senior centers, historical centers, and many other clubs and organizations. Our sanctuaries represent some of the most spectacular habitats in Massachusetts, ranging from beaches and salt marshes on Cape Cod, to woodlands and mountains in the Berkshires, to fields and wetlands in urban and suburban areas. Sign up for a program with Mass Audubon and learn more about the natural world; we offer a variety of topics that may interest your group.
Most programs include a lecture, a walk, or a combination of the two, with an experienced staff member. Naturalist-led walks may be general in nature or have a specific theme. For the lecture, Mass Audubon naturalists will use images, plant and animal specimens, artwork, and/or other visual aids to share their expertise and knowledge to meet your group's interests and needs.
Find out more about our programs for adult groups below.
Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary
Allens Pond is a great place to observe spectacular birdlife and salt marsh activity with over 300 bird species recorded during migration, wintering, or nesting season. The sanctuary attracts birds of prey in all seasons including nesting ospreys, migrant bald eagles, short-eared owls, peregrine falcons, and northern harriers. Programs offered to adult groups feature guided walks highlighting fauna and flora in diverse habitats such as shrublands, wetlands, and vernal pools with excursions to the Westport River. Also available to groups are nature walks and slide-show presentations on a variety of topics such as birds of southeastern Massachusetts, Important Birds Areas, invasive plants, forest and field birds, grassland management, Mass Audubon's Oriole Project, and coastal waterbirds. Your group can also find out about an array of environmental volunteer opportunities available in the community. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Sanctuary Director at 508-636-2437 or allenspond@massaudubon.org.
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Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary located in Easthampton is the heart of the Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries, which also include Laughing Brook in Hampden, Graves Farm in Williamsburg, and Marion Sherman Lynes in Westhampton—all of which are located in some of the most pristine areas of the valley and surrounding hills. Arcadia offers a large auditorium, along with two other classroom spaces for indoor talks and conferences. Public programs on natural history, environmental issues, and teacher workshops are offered at each site throughout the year. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Education Coordinator at 413-584-3009 ext 14 or arcadia@massaudubon.org.
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Blue Hills Trailside Museum
Blue Hills Trailside Museum in Milton is the interpretive center for the state's 7,000-acre Blue Hills Reservation and is managed by Mass Audubon. Indoor exhibits feature wildlife you may see while exploring the reservation's 150 miles of trails, including reptiles, fish, birds, mammals, and a working beehive. Outside the museum, live exhibits feature native wildlife such as a river otter, red-tailed hawks, white-tailed deer, and a snowy owl. Guided tours of Trailside Museum and the Blue Hills, live animal presentations, and illustrated lectures on a wide variety of topics including birds of prey and snowy owl research are available for groups. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Education Coordinator at 617-333-0690 ext 227 or bluehills@massaudubon.org.
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Boston Nature Center
Located in Mattapan and surrounded by residential neighborhoods in the city of Boston and abundant open space, the Boston Nature Center maintains 67 acres of natural habitats, with more than two miles of trails and boardwalks through meadows, marsh, fields, and woodlands. Adult groups can discover the benefits of green buildings while touring the George Robert White Environmental Conservation Center, featuring photovoltaic roof shingles, solar hot water, and geothermal climate control. Groups also have opportunities to learn about one of the city's oldest and largest community gardens, Clark-Cooper Community Garden, as well as explore the sanctuary's local flora and fauna with an experienced teacher-naturalist. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Education Manager at 617-983-8500 ext 6903 or bnc@massaudubon.org.
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Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
Explore over 400 acres of woods, fields, streams, and marsh that make up Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary. Look for 78 different species of butterflies, prowl for owls, or learn to snowshoe. The lobby of the conservation center offers interpretive exhibits including a large 3-D model of the entire sanctuary and a wall-to-ceiling map of the Blackstone River watershed. We offer customized programs and presentations on a variety of natural topics from birding, attracting wildlife to your yard, backyard landscaping for birds, and the history of The Blackstone River. We also offer driving tours to visit natural areas throughout Worcester county featuring historic locations and conservation sites. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Education Coordinator at 508-753-6087 ext 13 or bmbrook@massaudubon.org.
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Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary protects over 800 acres located on the beautiful Charles River in Natick and Sherborn, Massachusetts. With 9 miles of trails through forest, fields, and wetlands, including a quarter-mile All-Persons Trail, it is accessible to everyone. Our environmentally friendly nature center is a renovated horse barn that features solar and other alternative-energy systems and serves as a base for year-round programs and field trips. Among our popular programs are our Travel & Taste slide-show/dinner and natural history lectures, twilight and breakfast canoe trips, photography and art programs, and birding trips around Massachusetts. We are flexible to the needs of almost any group. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Education Coordinator at 508-655-2296 ext 7303 or broadmoorprograms@massaudubon.org.
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Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in Lincoln, Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary and Education Center contains 232 acres of fields, forests, and wetlands, including a working farm and native wildlife exhibits. Drumlin Farm strives to promote awareness of the interdependence among people, land, and wildlife through environmental education, stewardship of regionally significant habitat, and sustainable agricultural practices. History of agriculture and land use, sustainable agriculture, native wildlife and habitats, habitat restoration, birding, and bird banding are some of the topics adult audiences enjoy. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Education Coordinator at 781-259-2200 ext 2219 or drumlin@massaudubon.org.
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Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
Felix Neck is a sanctuary for both wildlife and people, protecting some of the Vineyard's most valuable habitats and wildlife and most spectacular views. Four miles of trails through woodlands, meadows, ponds, salt marsh, and barrier beach allow for exploration, discovery, and quiet comtemplation. Delight in the nature that unfolds: nesting ospreys and other birds, butterflies, and a wealth of sea creatures that make Felix Neck their home. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Education Coordinator at 508-627-4850 ext 100 or felixneck@massaudubon.org.
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Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary
Just six miles from downtown Boston, this 88-acre oasis is a haven for wildlife. The sanctuary contains woodlands, meadows, ponds, vernal pools, and gardens. Habitat offers a variety of learning opportunities for adults including outreach programs on plants, wildlife, and the environment presented to garden clubs, seniors, and members of other organizations. Groups also enjoy guided walks through the sanctuary and the formal gardens. Birding programs (including lectures and field trips) include Important Bird Area walks, Nighthawk Watch, and Introduction to Shorebirds. Some other popular programs include Evening Wildflower Rambles and Wednesday Morning Walks during which everything from composting and stone walls to water insects and slime molds are featured. Seasonal highlights include Summer Evening Mushroom Walks, Cross-Country Skiing, Woods in Winter Walks, Winter Plant ID, and more! Habitat also features monthly art shows in the gallery. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Education Coordinator at 617-489-5050 ext 206 or habitat@massaudubon.org.
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Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Located 30 miles north of Boston, Ipswich River is Mass Audubon's largest sanctuary, encompassing 2,267 acres of woods, meadows, and wetlands. Eight miles of the Ipswich River meander through the sanctuary. A program barn provides comfortable seating for indoor programs, and the nature center overlooks an attractive bird habitat garden. Our outreach programs include: Birds of Massachusetts, Butterflies, The Ipswich River, Wetland Communities, Animals of the North Shore, Vernal Pools, and Invasive Plants. We also offer naturalist-led canoe trips, beaver habitat walks, winter tracking, and tours of our bird and butterfly gardens. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the sanctuary at 978-887-9264 or ipswichriver@massaudubon.org.
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Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary
Situated in the heart of Cape Cod, Long Pasture, Ashumet Holly, Skunknett River, and Sampsons Island Wildlife Sanctuaries encompass a variety of Cape Cod's most critical habitats including barrier beaches, coastal plain ponds, salt marshes, cedar swamps, and vernal pools. The sanctuaries are open 365 days a year and serve as a living classroom for appreciation and interpretation of these diverse coastal systems and the wildlife within them. Our adult interpretive programs include kayaking coastal waterways, guided walks through our sanctuaries, tours to the Cape's most unique and beautiful natural locations, and a variety of fascinating natural history lectures. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Sanctuary Director at 508-362-7475 ext 9350 or longpasture@massaudubon.org.
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Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary
Moose Hill, located in Sharon and established in 1916, is the oldest Massachusetts Audubon sanctuary and one of the first private wildlife sanctuaries in the United States. Much of Moose Hill's 2,200 acres were once agricultural land, as evidenced by endless stone walls and many fields in various stages of ecological succession. These agricultural fields, along with wetlands, oak and white pine forests, granite outcroppings, and eskers and kettle holes provide a great opportunity to observe some of the 163 species of birds that have occurred on the sanctuary. The sanctuary's 25 miles of trails, through these diverse habitats, offer a rewarding day of birding and hiking for any visitor.
Adult program specialties include Ferns of Moose Hill and The Natural History of Owls. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Education Coordinator at 781-784-5691 ext 8103 or moosehill@massaudubon.org.
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Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
With a diversity of habitats close to the center of Attleboro, Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary is a perfect place to learn about the nature of Massachusetts. Discover vernal pools, wetlands, Talaquega Lake, forests, and field habitats out on our trails, or explore natural history topics in our program room. Highlighted programs include topics related to tree identification, vernal pools, and current environmental issues. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Education Coordinator at 508-223-3060 ext 3601 or oakknoll@massaudubon.org.
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Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Founded in 1929 and featuring 1,300 acres and seven miles of well-marked trails, Pleasant Valley—with its extensive hardwood forests, Yokun Brook, meadows, and beaver pond system—is a wonderful place to hike, enjoy nature, and watch wildlife in all seasons. A one-third-mile All-Persons Trail makes it accessible to everyone. From the scenic Pike's Pond Loop Trail to a moderately strenuous hike with an 800-foot elevation gain to the summit of Lenox Mountain (2,126 feet), there is something to amaze everyone. In summer join us for a naturalist-guided canoe trip on a local lake or river, help us sample the butterfly and dragonfly populations, join us for bird, bat, and beaver walks, or take part in a wide range of other programs. Programs are available year-round. Canoes may be rented in the summer for use off-site, and snowshoes are available for rent on-site in winter. We offer naturalist-guided group excursions to fit your needs. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Sanctuary Director at 413-637-0320 ext 8351 or berkshires@massaudubon.org.
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North River/South Shore
Highlights of the South Shore Sanctuaries are three properties: Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary, North River Wildlife Sanctuary, and North Hill Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, with habitats as diverse as grasslands, red maple swamps, ponds, rivers, and marshes. Exploring the North River from source to mouth, guided sanctuary walks throughout the season, species-related and general birding programs, and lectures that focus on the natural history of the region are among the special programs offered for adults. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Education Coordinator at 781-837-9400 ext 7907 or southshore@massaudubon.org.
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Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary is located at the base of Mount Wachusett, the summit of which is one of the best hawk watching spots in New England. Eleven miles of trails at Wachusett Meadow include such highlights as a 200-acre beaver pond alive with beavers, mink, otters, wood ducks, and herons. Guided programs consisting of hikes or indoor slide programs can be on-site or off-site and include any natural history topic. The aesthetics of the farm landscape, the sanctuary's hilltop vistas, upland fields, and meadows, large forest tracts, and expansive beaver wetlands offer a superb resource for study and appreciation of New England human and natural history. The flora and fauna of Wachusett Meadow are well documented and include over 100 species of nesting birds, over 70 species of butterflies, 48 mammals, and more than 500 types of plants, as well as numerous dragonflies, reptiles, amphibians, and fungi. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Teacher-Naturalist at 978-464-2712 or wachusett@massaudubon.org.
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Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Located on the Outer Cape, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary features 1,200 acres of salt marsh, pine woodlands, fields, and sandy beach, and our new green nature center boasts a large auditorium, laboratory, and dormitory for overnight stays. Staff expertise and areas of specialty for adult groups include shorebird natural history, turtle research, coastal ecology, geology of Cape Cod, and wildlife cruises. For more information or to schedule a group program, contact the Education Coordinator at 508-349-2615 ext 107 or wellfleet@massaudubon.org.
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