I’ve been a member of Massachusetts Audubon for many years now and look forward to reading their quarterly newsletter and occasionally attending their programs. In Worcester County, the two sanctuaries with staffed Nature Centers are Wachusett Meadow in Princeton and Broad Meadow Brook in Worcester. However, there are smaller unstaffed sanctuaries near me that are also fabulous places to visit, including Cook’s Canyon in Barre, Eagle Lake in Holden, and the closest, Burncoat Pond in Spencer.

I remember visiting the Spencer property many years ago and was pleased to hear recently that Mass Audubon had completed a major land protection effort which added critical habitat to the existing sanctuary. According to the press release:

Acquisition of these properties completes protection of the large cove on the western edge of Burncoat Pond, securing the shoreline and adjacent upland areas as a haven for wildlife. Otter, mink, fisher, beaver, waterfowl, and songbirds thrive within these woods, marshes and ponds.

The purchases increase the size of the wildlife sanctuary to 183 acres, and together with adjacent Leicester town conservation land, brings the total protected land around the pond to more than 300 acres.

Mass Audubon celebrated this accomplishment today by offering the public a guided walk in the sanctuary at 3 pm, followed by formal remarks at 4 pm. Although it had been raining for two days, the skies had cleared by early afternoon and I hopped into my car without my umbrella to drive the short distance to Polar Springs Road.

The Audubon staff were delighted that over 30 people showed up, and I think we all enjoyed walking the main trail down to the Pond, despite the water-logged spots. I took a few photos which I’m posting here, though they’re not representative of the wildlife diversity.
The Mid-State Trail branches off to the right, near the remains of a stone wall and a carpet of ferns turning autumn gold:

The oak tree at the right harbors the Sanctuary’s porcupines, which feed on hemlock:

This view of the Pond shows the newly protected acres in the background:

After the walk, we gathered in the field at the Sanctuary’s entrance for refreshments and remarks from Charlie Wyman, Land Protection Specialist;Tammy Fleming Maus, Walk Leader and Nature Teacher; Peter Durant, Chair of the Spencer Select Board; Senator Stephen Brewer; and Representative Anne Gobi. Also present was former land owner Richard Green; he and his brother David had set in motion the conservation plan that led to this day.