Mass Audubon: Trails open at certain sanctuaries

LINCOLN — Mass Audubon has re-opened trails on many of its wildlife sanctuaries across the state, including the North Quabbin area.

Its nature centers and other buildings remain closed at present. But the state’s largest nature conservation nonprofit is welcoming its members and other visitors to miles of trails on two dozen wildlife sanctuaries.

The re-opened sanctuaries have been selected based on a variety of conditions, including being able to manage capacity for expected level of use (both on the trails and in the parking areas) as well as support from the communities where they are located.

Locally, the areas that are open are: Burncoat Pond in Spencer, Cook’s Canyon in Barre, Eagle Lake in Holden, Flat Rock in Fitchburg, Lake Wampanoag in Gardner, Lincoln Woods in Leominster, Nashoba Brook in Westford, Pierpont Meadow in Dudley, Poor Farm Hill in New Salem and Rutland Brook in Petersham.

Additional sanctuaries will opening in the coming weeks.

“This is wonderful news for Mass Audubon members and the greater public, because we all value and appreciate the benefits of being outdoors and connecting with nature,” Vice President of Wildlife Sanctuaries and Programs Gail Yeo said in a prepared statement. “But it’s so important that visitors maintain social distancing and other behaviors that help keep everyone safe as we make progress against COVID-19 and we’re proud that Mass Audubon can offer people an array of trails that beckon one and all in this time of uncertainty and stress.”