Mass Audubon Wachusett Meadow

09/01/2026

Welcome, September!

Download, print, and screen read Mass Audubon's Outdoor Almanac here: massaudubon.org/almanac

September brings rafting loons, Woodchucks bulking up, and the Fall equinox!

What are you looking forward to this month?

Download, print, and screen read our Outdoor Almanac here: massaudubon.org/almanac

08/26/2026

Save the date! Join the Journey: Monarch Tagging Day on Saturday, September 19, and help tag live Monarch Butterflies as part of a continent-wide research effort tracking their incredible journey from New England to central Mexico. You'll also learn about other fall butterflies and discover simple ways to support Monarchs at home through habitat and plant choices.

Reserve your spot: https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/wachusett-meadow/102738-join-the-journey-monarch-tagging-day

Can’t make it? Find more programs, resources, and opportunities to support Monarchs here: https://www.massaudubon.org/nature-wildlife/go-wild-for-wildlife/go-wild-for-monarch-butterflies

📸: Jon Jones

08/24/2026

Another unforgettable summer camp season has come to an end at Wachusett Meadow, and we're still smiling as we look back on all the adventures we shared together!

Camp days were filled with canoeing, games, wildlife encounters, outdoor exploration, and so much more. Friends were reunited, new friendships were formed, and campers created lasting memories while discovering the natural world. Returning counselors welcomed new team members, helping to foster a fun, supportive community for everyone.

Thank you to the counselors, sanctuary staff, and campers who made this season so special, and to the parents who trusted us with their children throughout the summer.

We're also incredibly grateful to United Way of North Central Massachusetts providing funding through the After School and Out of School Time Subgrant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), helping make camp accessible to even more families.

Have a wonderful school year, and we look forward to welcoming you next summer!

08/20/2026

Give yourself an hour to slow down, stretch, and reconnect surrounded by the beauty of nature. this Sunday, August 23, at 10:00 am. Join Jen Songer Yoga for a relaxing outdoor yoga session at Wachusett Meadow.

Savor the beauty of late August at the sanctuary, treat yourself to a mindful start to your Sunday, and connect your mind, body, and breath through gentle movement. Whether you're an experienced yogi or brand new to yoga, this welcoming class offers the perfect opportunity to recharge, reflect, and prepare for the week ahead.

Sign up today and reserve your spot! https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/wachusett-meadow/102748-yoga-at-the-sanctuary

08/13/2026

Mark your calendar for Hey Day on Saturday, October 3 at Wachusett Meadow!

Celebrate the beauty of fall with a day of fun at this beloved annual festival. Enjoy hayrides, canoeing, live music, local food and beer, children's activities, crafts, pumpkin painting, and more.

Browse offerings from local vendors, connect with exhibitors, and spend a crisp autumn day surrounded by the sights and sounds of the season.

Whether you're coming for the pumpkins, the paddling, or the live music, Hey Day is a fall tradition you won't want to miss!

Learn more: https://www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/wachusett-meadow/news/hey-day

08/11/2026

Give your child a year filled with discovery, exploration, and outdoor adventure!

Nature Adventures for Young Folks is a drop-off program for curious children ages 3.5-5.5 who love exploring forests, meadows, streams, and fields while building confidence, making friends, and developing a lifelong connection to the natural world. Weekly nature-themed experiences are brought to life through books, songs, games, and art projects.

Through hands-on activities, nature play, wildlife observation, stories, crafts, and outdoor exploration in every season, young learners discover the wonders of nature firsthand.

This program meets from September through May, with sessions offered on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 9:30 AM-1:30 PM, allowing families to choose the day that works best for them.

Space is limited. Learn more and register today: https://bit.ly/4fR7B1c

08/08/2026

Wildlife Pond is a habitat that supports many species, including the North American River Otter.

If you're lucky, you might spot a river otter swimming, fishing, or playfully interacting with others. Although they share the same habitat, river otters and beavers are quite different. River otters are members of the weasel family and are omnivores, feeding on fish, crayfish, frogs, mollusks, small reptiles, birds, and more. Beavers, on the other hand, are in the rodent family and are strict vegetarians.

You can often recognize evidence of beavers by the pointed stumps they leave behind after chewing through trees. Otters are a little harder to find, but seeing one glide through the water is always a special treat. At Wachusett Meadow, look for otters on Wildlife Pond, at Otter Pond (naturally!) and sometimes even in the smaller Farm Pond, a short walk on the trail behind the Nature Center.

Both species depend on healthy wetlands and waterways. By protecting ponds, streams, forests, and other natural habitats, Mass Audubon helps create the conditions that allow beavers, river otters, and countless other wildlife species to thrive.

📸: Julie Mankowsky