Membership FAQs

It generally takes about 3-4 weeks to receive your new membership cards. If you have not received your cards in this time, please contact us. If you join or renew online your confirmation email will serve as your temporary membership card. If you wish to visit a wildlife sanctuary prior to receiving your membership cards, bring a copy of your confirmation email to the wildlife sanctuary and present it to the admissions staff.

Individual level memberships entitle one named adult to free wildlife sanctuary admission; Family level memberships entitle up to two named adults living in the same household and their children or grandchildren under the age of 21 to free admission; membership levels above the Family level entitle up to two named adults living in the same household and their children and grandchildren under the age of 21 to free admission, plus free admission for the number of guests (one or two) specified for that level.

Mass Audubon membership is nontransferable and nonrefundable. Members enjoy free admission during normal hours of operation, with the exception of occasional, special fundraising days.

Members at the Explorer level may bring one free guest when visiting Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries. Members at the Contributor level or higher may bring two free guests when visiting Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries. Mass Audubon membership is nontransferable. Members enjoy free admission during normal hours of operation, with the exception of occasional, special fundraising days.

If you have lost your membership card, please contact us. We will verify your membership status, provide you with your member number, and send you replacement cards. If you want to visit a wildlife sanctuary before your replacement card arrives, the admission staff at the wildlife sanctuary can verify your membership by checking their onsite membership listing.

Free gifts and membership benefit items are shipped at the USPS nonprofit rate (Third Class). They can take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. If it has been more than 8 weeks since your payment was processed, and you still have not received your gift or benefit item, please contact us.

Unfortunately, due to international shipping costs, we cannot ship thank you gifts outside of the United States. You can still receive your gift if you provide a U.S. address to ship it to.

The Explore newsletter is published four times each year and mailed to all current members. If you have not received the most recent issue, please contact us so we can verify your address, confirm your membership status, and send you another copy. Publications are mailed at the USPS nonprofit bulk rate and delivery times vary according to your local post office.

Places to Explore is your guide to Mass Audubon's wildlife sanctuaries, nature centers, and museums. It is a benefit of Mass Audubon membership, contact Member Services to request a new copy.

Yes, you can! Auto Renew is a green, convenient way to renew your membership. When you enroll in Auto Renew your annual membership dues will be automatically charged to your Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Sign up by mail or online when you renew your membership

To cancel your Auto Renew, contact Member Services or call 781-259-9500, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm.

To update your credit card information for Auto Renew, please call Member Services at 781-259-9500, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm. For your security, do not email your credit card information or leave it in a voicemail message.

Yes, you can join or renew your membership online. Your confirmation email will serve as your temporary membership card. If you wish to visit a wildlife sanctuary prior to receiving your membership cards, bring a copy of your confirmation email to the wildlife sanctuary and present it to the admissions staff.

Your membership expiration date will be the last day of the month, one year from your current expiration month. If your membership has lapsed, the new expiration date will be the last day of the month one year from the purchase date.

Your membership renewal payment and our mailings do sometimes cross in the mail or online. We are grateful for your continuing support and sorry for any inconvenience that may result from this overlap. If you renewed your membership more than 3-4 weeks ago and still have not received your thank you letter and updated membership cards, please contact us.

Yes. Our Library Partners program includes discounted admission to more than 60 spectacular wildlife sanctuaries across the state, where library patrons can explore and enjoy the nature of Massachusetts. Library Partners also provide vital support for protecting wildlife and wild lands in Massachusetts. Learn about the Library Partners program.

Yes, businesses and nonprofit organizations may join our Community Partners program as a way to offer great benefits for their employees while supporting Mass Audubon’s efforts to protect wildlife and wild lands. Learn about the Community Partners program.

Yes. Our Organizational Membership is designed for self-guided visitation at Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries, nature centers, and museums, by small groups accompanied by staff from your organization/agency. Learn more about Organizational Membership.

Mass Audubon is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 04-2104702) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Mass Audubon membership dues are tax deductible to the full extent provided by law. The letter that comes with your membership cards is your receipt and it includes the date and amount of your membership dues payment.

To inform us of an address, email, or telephone number change, please contact us. For a mailing address update, please provide the following information:

• Your old address, including first name, last name, street, city, state, and zip code
• Your new address, including first name, last name, street, city, state, and zip code
• Your Mass Audubon membership ID Number (if known)

We’re happy to accommodate your communication preferences. Please contact us to be removed from a membership mail, email, or telephone list. If you would like to be removed from a mail list, please provide the following information:

• Your name and address exactly as they appear on the mailing
• The mailing code, which usually begins with the letter "A" or "M"

Please note that because many of our mailings are prepared in advance, it might take some time before the change takes full effect. We appreciate your patience and will do everything we can to expedite the process.

Yes. Mass Audubon receives numerous requests to support local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and has implemented the following Donation Request Policy in order for all requests to be treated equitably:

Mass Audubon supports Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofits only, that benefit Massachusetts communities and citizens. This does not include Massachusetts chapters of national nonprofit organizations.

No monetary donations will be given.

Donations are limited to one (1) Family level membership per organization per year.

Donation requests will be accepted only via our Auction Donation Request Form.

Donation requests should be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to your event or deadline.

If you meet all of the above requirements, please fill out the Auction Donation Request Form, and submit it to Mass Audubon at least 6 weeks prior to your event. 

Adding the "or current resident" tag ensures higher deliverability. When the named member(s) is not at the address we have on file—for example, if they have moved and we haven't been notified of their new address yet—or we have an incorrect address, at least our publications are going to someone that may become interested or engaged in our work. Without this, they would simply be discarded by the Post Office.

Mass Audubon is not a chapter of National Audubon Society. Founded in 1896, Mass Audubon was the first Audubon society in the United States. Over the next 10 years other state Audubon societies came into existence. In 1907, these state societies formed an organization called the National Association of Audubon Societies to better coordinate conservation activities nationwide. In 1940, the National Association officially incorporated under its present organizational identity, the National Audubon Society. Mass Audubon made the decision to remain independent and continues to operate as an independently managed organization today.

Mass Audubon operates as an independently managed organization and has no affiliation with National Audubon Society, therefore National Audubon Society members are not eligible to receive free admission to Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries or any other Mass Audubon membership benefits.