Hundreds Lend a Hand at Mass Audubon’s Statewide Volunteer Day Wildlife Sanctuaries Get Spruced Up During Annual ‘Spring Cleaning’ Tradition

Lincoln, MA—Mass Audubon’s annual Statewide Volunteer Day again inspired hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds across the Commonwealth to pitch in, pick up, and toss out—all to benefit the regional conservation organization’s wildlife sanctuaries situated from the Cape and Islands to the Berkshires.

More than 750 volunteers showed up Saturday, April 29 at 16 wildlife sanctuaries to help prepare them for the busy visitation season ahead. Throughout the morning, families with children, scout troops, college groups, and seniors did chores and joined work details, checking off one to-do list after another.

The results were substantial, again proving the adage that many hands make for light work. These numbers help tell the Volunteer Day tale:
•8 truckloads of invasive plants removed
•53 trees planted
•More than 1,000 yards of trails groomed
•21 campsites cleared of winter debris
•A new 165-foot trail created
•30 stumps removed
•11 gardens readied for spring
•20 bags of trash and recyclables collected

Post-cleanup “appreciation activities” at the sanctuaries ranged from pizza parties and cookouts to up-close wildlife encounters.

“A terrific turnout for this important and fun event has again helped guarantee that our wildlife sanctuaries will be ship-shape in time for the hundreds of thousands of visitors we welcome to our properties each year,” Mass Audubon Statewide Volunteer Program Coordinator Peggy Sagan said. “We continue to be grateful for and humbled by the commitment of our volunteers, without whom we truly could not meet our mission to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife.”

Participants in Statewide Volunteer Day 2017 are already encouraging other Mass Audubon members, friends, and families to join them next April. In the meantime, learn about current volunteer opportunities that encourage people to connect with nature at www.massaudubon.org/get-involved/volunteer.

#####

Mass Audubon works to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. Together with more than 100,000 members, we care for nearly 37,000 acres of conservation land, provide school, camp, and other educational programs for 225,000 children and adults annually, and advocate for sound environmental policies at local, state, and federal levels. Founded in 1896 by two inspirational women who were committed to the protection of birds, Mass Audubon is now one of the largest and most prominent conservation organizations in New England. Today we are respected for our sound science, successful advocacy, and innovative approaches to connecting people and nature. Each year, our statewide network of wildlife sanctuaries welcomes nearly half a million visitors of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds and serves as the base for our work. To support these important efforts, call 800-AUDUBON (800-283-8266) or visit www.massaudubon.org.