Best Birding in the Boston Burbs at Wildlife Refuge, MA

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Join American Hiking Society for a week of building & maintaining trails in exciting locations across the country. Volunteer Vacations foster public land stewardship and provide volunteers the opportunity to give back to the trails they love, meet new people, and have a great time doing it! Crews consist of 6-15 volunteers accompanied by a crew leader. Volunteer Vacations involve backpacking or day hiking and accommodations vary from primitive campsites to bunkhouses or cabins. Tools and supervision are provided by the host agency or organization. Experience nature up close. Travel to new destinations. Meet other outdoor enthusiasts. Take a vacation that nourishes your body & your spirit. Get Out. Give Back.

Project Specifics:

Feel Worlds Away while only Miles Apart from Boston!

Join this project to work on trails just outside of the bustling city of Boston! Volunteers will have a chance to learn new skills and conduct trail maintenance on several trails located in the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge. Join this project and increase equitable access to multiple trail systems that wind through wetlands, forests, grassy meadows while enjoying a mix of history from World War I and the American Revolution War. These refuges provide some of the best inland birding sites in all of Massachusetts. This unique complex is home to eight diverse refuges that include several endangered and threatened species, has the only wilderness area in Southern New England.

Oxbow, Assabet River and Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuges are all are within an hour of Boston, MA and Providence, RI. Volunteers will work to maintain trails by clearing the trail of branches, brush, and invasive plants. Volunteers may also assist with the installation of new signs and boardwalks as needed throughout the week. Volunteers will drive or carpool to the worksite.

Hiking/Access

Volunteers will be driven 20 minutes to the project worksite. Walking to the sites may take up to an hour on easy to navigate trails.

Area and Attractions

Situated along the Atlantic Flyway in Massachusetts, the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex comprises eight ecologically diverse refuges. The eight separate refuges include inland and coastal wetlands, forests, grasslands, and barrier beaches that provide important habitat for migratory birds, mammals, plants, reptiles, and amphibians. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service manages these areas to conserve and protect a diversity of native wildlife habitats and species. The refuge complex encompasses several endangered and threatened species, the only federally designated Wilderness Area in Southern New England, one structure on the National Register of Historic Places, and a National Wild and Scenic River.

Accommodations Description

Volunteers will stay in two furnished dorms with bathrooms and showers. Bathrooms and kitchen will be shared. There is Wifi at the bunkhouse. Volunteers need to bring their own tent and personal camping gear; sheets, bedding or sleeping bag; and towels.

Trip Cost: $425 per person

Find More Information & Register Here: https://americanhiking.org/volunteer-vacation-trip/eastern-massachusetts-national-wildlife-refuge-complex-ma-volunteer-vacations-2025/