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.

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.

Expanding Our Impact

Mass Audubon is working with partners to conserve an additional 150,000 acres of important habitat by 2026. This would bring the percentage of protected land in Massachusetts to 30%.

Of that total, Mass Audubon will protect 10,000 acres of new lands and sanctuaries. In addition, we’ll enhance the management of 200,000 acres of public and private forests. On the coast, we're restoring, protecting, and managing at least 2,500 acres of critical coastal ecosystems.

We're confident that we can achieve these high-impact goals by working together and empowering the people of Massachusetts.