Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary

05/04/2026

Summer is just around the corner—give your kids a chance to unplug and explore at our Science and Nature Day Camp! From 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, campers (ages 5-12) rotate through a variety of engaging activities led by our experienced counselors, all designed to spark curiosity and inspire a love of the natural world.

They’ll get hands-on with our animal residents, burn off energy with outdoor games, and express their creativity through arts and crafts. It’s a fun, enriching way to build confidence, make new friends, and develop a lasting connection with nature.

For your convenience, we offer early drop-off starting at 8:00 AM, as well as pick-up between 3:00 and 3:45 PM.
More info and registration can be found at capenhill.org

04/30/2026

Summer is just around the corner—give your kids a chance to unplug and explore at our Science and Nature Day Camp! From 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, campers (ages 5-12) rotate through a variety of engaging activities led by our experienced counselors, all designed to spark curiosity and inspire a love of the natural world.

They’ll get hands-on with our animal residents, burn off energy with outdoor games, and express their creativity through arts and crafts. It’s a fun, enriching way to build confidence, make new friends, and develop a lasting connection with nature.

For your convenience, we offer early drop-off starting at 8:00 AM, as well as pick-up between 3:00 and 3:45 PM.

More info and registration can be found at capenhill.org

04/17/2026

We want to share an important update with everyone who has supported the effort to bring Thomas Dambo’s trolls to Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary.

First and most importantly, thank you. The excitement, encouragement, volunteer energy, and financial support from this community has meant a tremendous amount to us. It has been inspiring to see how many people believed in the vision of welcoming the trolls to Capen Hill.

After careful consideration, there has been a change in plans and it is no longer feasible for Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary to serve as the host site for the troll installation. While this was not an easy decision, we remain proud of the work that has already been done and grateful for the incredible community response.

Because donations were collected specifically in support of bringing the trolls to Capen Hill, we want donors to have a choice in how their contributions are used.

If you would like a refund, please email [email protected] within 30 days of this announcement and we will process your request as soon as possible. You may also choose to email us stating your donation may be kept by Capen Hill.

If we do not hear from you within that time, your contribution will be considered a donation to Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary and will be redirected to support the care of the sanctuary’s animals and the maintenance of its trails and facilities.

We are deeply grateful for your support and for being part of this effort with us. Your generosity continues to make a meaningful difference at Capen Hill.

- Capen Hill Board of Directors

12/26/2025

A little late but Merry Christmas from our family to yours ☃️🎄

11/27/2025

From all of us at Capen Hill, especially Herman
🦃 Happy Thanksgiving!
We would like to wish you a joyful holiday from our turkey (raw, feathery, and fabulous) to your turkey (cooked and hopefully not dry).
We’re grateful for our community today and every day!

11/26/2025

Did you hear? Snowy Owls are back!

Also called "snowies," these birds travel south from the Arctic tundra each winter to hunt and feed in Massachusetts, where it's warmer. They spend their time in open areas like salt marshes, agricultural fields, and even airports before heading back to their Arctic breeding grounds around April.

While spotting them is exciting, it's important to respect their space as spectators prevent these nocturnal birds from resting during the day.

Follow ethical birding, bird photography best practices, and these simple rules:
• Stay at least 50 yards (150 feet) away. Bring your binoculars or zoom camera lens to keep your distance.
• View from one location and never surround or approach the owl.
• Keep an eye out for behavioral clues like an extended neck and widened eyes. If you spot one of these signs, immediately back off.

Learn more about Snowy Owls and how Mass Audubon works to protect them. Link in comments.

Snowy Owl © Pierre Borczuk

11/24/2025

While we spruce up the donation page on our website to make it more mobile-friendly, we’ve opened a GoFundMe to help keep our animals happy, healthy, and well-fed. Your support truly makes a difference! Donations can also be made through Facebook, though Facebook does take a small fee any amount helps and is appreciated! The link for our GoFundMe is below. We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving ♥️

Happy Holiday Season! I'm reaching out to ask for your suppor… Barbara Frederick needs your support for Support Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary's Animal Residents!

11/22/2025

Crystal would like everyone to know that staying on top of the latest trends is serious business… especially when it involves a Labubu. She takes her role as Capen Hill's resident trendsetter very seriously!

11/19/2025

Stop your scroll!

Here's an adorable porcupine.

And here's a cool fact about them 👇

While normally solitary animals, porcupines come together in the late fall for mating, which usually involves fierce and loud battles among the males vying for a female’s attention.

Porcupine © Kelly Norcross

11/16/2025

Introducing our newest animal resident… George! 🐀

George is a young albino rat who has quickly charmed everyone he meets. He’s incredibly friendly, playful, and always curious about what’s going on around him. His favorite activities include snacking on carrots and tidying up his apartment—he likes things just so, thank you very much.

Fun Fact:
Albinism is caused by a genetic mutation that affects the production of melanin, which influences skin, hair, and eye color. It can also lead to vision challenges (less fun), but George doesn’t let that hold him back. In fact, he’s well on his way to becoming Capen Hill’s best interior designer.

If you’d like to support George’s ongoing care—or the care of any of our sanctuary residents—please click the button below or share this post.
Your support makes everything we do possible. Thank you for helping us care for our animal family! 💚