Women on bridge Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
Women on bridge Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
Salt marsh at Rough Meadows copyright Alan Ward
Rough Meadows © Alan Ward

Resilient Lands

Resilient landscapes are large, connected lands that provide unique, long-term benefits for people and wildlife.

A resilient landscape hosts healthy, diverse habitats and migratory corridors for wildlife. It provides clean air, clean water, and recreation opportunities. Resilient landscapes can also adapt to or mitigate the effects of climate change.

Now more than ever, we need to focus on fostering resilient landscapes.

Why Resilient Landscapes Matter

The natural resources of Massachusetts face daunting challenges from development, climate change, and other factors.

We could see a proliferation of invasive species, an increase in costly natural disasters, and even compromised air and water quality. For the health of people and wildlife, Mass Audubon is taking a comprehensive approach.

What We're Doing to Support Resilient Lands

Mass Audubon is a leading environmental nonprofit organization fostering resilient landscapes. We've identified key natural areas in the state, such as forests, coastal watersheds, and river corridors to focus our efforts. These areas offer the most significant ecological benefits when managed for resiliency.

Our three-pronged approach includes protecting land from development, restoring habitat health, and stewarding land for long-term success.

Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
Land that was protected in 2020 at Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary

Land Protection

Mass Audubon protects more than 41,000 acres across the state.

Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, South Dartmouth
Staff and volunteers in the salt marsh digging runnels

Ecological Restoration

Strategic habitat restoration techniques support biological diversity and healthy wildlife habitats.

TD Volunteers Planting Trees at the BNC

Ongoing Stewardship

Through comprehensive ecological management plans, we foster long-term habitat health for future generations.

View of mountains at sunset in North Adams
2021 Photo Contest Winner Landscapes @ Eric Dubreuil

30x30 Catalyst Fund

Mass Audubon created the 30x30 Catalyst Fund to enable us to move quickly in protecting 30% of Massachusetts' land, in particular the most biodiverse and carbon-rich lands that are also at risk of development.

Get the Details

Priority Habitats

© Paul Mozell
Sunset at Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary © Paul Mozell

Coastal

We protect, manage, and restore salt marshes, bird breeding islands, beaches, and coastal uplands.

Road's End Wildlife Sanctuary, Worthington
green forest with trails

Forests

Forests of various ages provide many ecological services and require different management strategies.

Eastern Meadowlark (Photo: David Larson)
Eastern Meadowlark by David Larson

Grasslands

We develop sustainable management practices for grasslands.

Working with Community Partners

Our land protection strategy complements existing plans from federal, state, and partner organizations. We are amplifying the impact of our collective actions by advocating for more funding focused on land conservation and land restoration.

Mass Audubon also helps private landowners incorporate resilient land management strategies that benefit both the economy and the environment.

Our Impact

Working with partners, we've dramatically expanded our efforts to protect, restore, and steward the state’s most important natural lands.

  • 41,000

    Acres of land Mass Audubon currently protects

  • 1,000

    Acres of wetland restoration in progress

  • 66,888

    Acres of land with bird-friendly and climate-smart land management plans

Featured Stories

Latest News

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A bulky Osprey nest on top of a large poll standing in a green saltmarsh. A patch of open water behind the nesting pole.
Allens Pond, South Dartmouth
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Three young adults kneeling on a boardwalk
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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