Woman holding binoculars Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
Woman holding binoculars Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.
Green trees with Boston Skyline

Equitable Access to Nature

Mass Audubon is committed to increasing inclusive and equitable access to nature, so that everyone in the state regardless of income, physical ability or location has access to greenspaces, environmental education, and career opportunities.

Why Equitable Access to Nature Matters

Everyone deserves to enjoy nature’s benefits—from clean air and water to shade and recreation. Yet many families face barriers that make it difficult for them to access greenspaces: few community parks, limited transportation options, and a lack of available nature education programs.

What We're Doing

Two Mass Audubon staff members standing in front of "Nature in the City" banner

Nature in the City

Increasing and restoring urban greenspaces in communities that have historically lacked access to nature.

A group photo of the 2022-2023 Environmental Fellows. From Left to Right: Anna Cass, Jovan Bryan, Amara Chittenden, Isabela Chachapoyas, Isabella Guerero
The 2022-2023 Environmental Fellows, from left to right: Anna Cass, Jovan Bryan, Amara Chittenden, Isabela Chachapoyas,and Isabella Guerero

Early Career Programs

Opportunities for young professionals with identities that are underrepresented in the conservation field. 

A Sensory Trail sign about butterfly life cycles
Sensory Trail sign about butterfly life cycles

Accessibility

Ensuring that people of all abilities can meaningfully enjoy the nature of Massachusetts.

Campers playing on hill behind BNC

Camp for All

Ensuring that every family that wants their child to experience summer camp has the chance to do so.

Educator leading program in classroom

School Programs

Providing environmental education to students disinvested communities, in and out of school.

Family hiking up rocky forest trail
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield

Expanding Access to Sanctuaries

Making it easier for people throughout Massachusetts to get outdoors with free admission for select groups.

Our Goals

As we strive to protect the nature of Massachusetts, we will do so with an eye toward greater equity.

  • 20

    New urban greenspaces include 3 new wildlife sanctuaries

  • $2 million

    Scholarships awarded to low-income families for nature education and camps.

  • 300,000

    Children who will benefit from our education, preschool, and camp programs.

Featured Stories

  • Trees in a field at Pawtucket Farm

    Protecting Pawtucket Farm in Lowell

    When Rollie Perron and his family decided it was time to sell their 20-acre Christmas tree farm—the last one in Lowell—they hoped it might be possible to benefit the community.

  • Group of young men planting trees
    Boston Nature Center, Mattapan

    Nature in the City: Boston Tree Alliance

    Created by the City of Boston’s Cabinet of Environment, Energy, and Open Space, the Boston Tree Alliance aims to equitably grow the urban tree canopy in Boston through tree planting and care on privately-owned land in environmental justice communities in Boston.  

  • Magazine beach building with people out front and a bicycle next to a bench
    Magazine Beach Nature Center, Cambridge

    Old Building Becomes New Nature Center

    Thanks to a partnership between Mass Audubon and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, we will bring nature education programming to Magazine Beach.

  • A wooden bridge crosses over a small pond, surrounded by lush, green shrubs and trees.
    Canoe Meadows, Pittsfield © Jan Werner

    Doctor-Prescribed Nature Through the Culture Rx Program

    The benefits of nature offered at Mass Audubon's wildlife sanctuaries will now be directly available to patients of three Berkshire health care providers.

  • Spotted Salamander resting on a fallen leaf on the trail
    Spotted Salamander

    Creating Greater Access to Nature

    I've been seeing firsthand how Mass Audubon is creating opportunities for people like you and me to get out and experience all that nature has to offer.

  • Green trees with Boston Skyline

    City Living for Trees

    Urban trees are a bit different from the ones populating more rural forests and face unique challenges. Mass Audubon’s first urban ecologist, Erica Holm, shares some of the thoughts and considerations that play into urban forestry.

  • Sensory display on the All Persons Trail

    Pleasant Valley All Persons Trail Expansion

    Access to nature is one of the top three organizational priorities in Mass Audubon’s five-year Action Agenda: we’re strengthening our capacity to welcome individuals of all abilities into our programming, nature centers, and onto our trail systems.

  • Small group of students observing a hawk shown to them by an educator

    Rites of Passage Program Connects Boston Students with Nature

    The “Rites of Passage” program to connects Boston middle school students with the wonders of nature.

  • All Persons Trail at Tidmarsh

    Accessibility in Nature

    For decades, Mass Audubon has made nature experiences universally accessible by providing supported opportunities for people of all abilities. Recently, we expanded offerings to include career training, volunteer programs, sensory days, and more. 

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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