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Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary

Hey Day Festival celebrates agricultural history

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PRINCETON — Celebrate Wachusett Meadow’s agricultural history at their annual Hey Day Festival, a tradition that goes back to the 1960s, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Road.

The community is welcome to enjoy canoeing and hayrides; live music from local musicians Tribe, The Hip Swayers and Chuck and Mud; pumpkin painting and other children’s activities; local food, craft beer, local vendors, portrait painting by members of the Princeton Arts Society, and much more.

Refreshments will be available for sale from Mountainside Bakery & Cafe, Monti Farms & Deli, and Red Apple Farm.

The Annual Hey Day is Wachusett Meadow’s largest annual fundraiser.

Proceeds from the festival help sustain nearly all aspects of sanctuary operations including land conservation, environmental education, and maintenance of our buildings and trails.

Cost of admission, which includes all activities, is $10 per person; or $30 per carload. Children ages 2 and under are admitted free. Rain date is Sunday, Sept. 24.

For more information, visit massaudubon.org.

Surround yourself with the peacefulness of nature

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PRINCETON — Immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings of meadows, forests, and ponds while listening to the sounds of nature all around you with a guided Mindfulness Hike from 9 until 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 15, at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, located at 113 Goodnow Road.

Environmental educator and program specialist, Carlee Mills, will lead the program.

“This hike will explore various trails at the sanctuary and move at a gentle pace with time allotted for mindful moments of reflection, allowing participants time to awaken their senses and to connect with their surroundings,” said Mills.

Keep an eye out for porcupine, deer, salamanders, or other wildlife who share this space as you connect with the land.

“Surround yourself with the peacefulness of nature and feel any stress you are holding onto melt away and be replaced with a feeling of serene calm to help you move throughout your day,” added Mills.

This is an adult-only hike. Appropriate footwear is necessary for this 1.5-2 mile walk on uneven terrain. Bring walking poles/sticks if you will find them helpful. They will also be available to borrow from the main office upon check-in.

Additional hikes will be held on Thursday, July 6 and Thursday, August 24.

For information, or to register for this program, visit massaudubon.org/wachusettmeadow or call 978-464-2712.

The beauty of winter at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary

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PRINCETON — There is no doubt that winter has arrived in New England but that’s no reason to stay indoors, especially with the beautiful Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary right in our own backyard.

Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary is open year-round and has over 12 miles of beautiful trails and opportunities for walking, hiking, and snowshoeing this season.

Trails at the sanctuary are well-marked and varied in length and terrain with a short All Persons trail that is accessible when there is no accumulated snow. A variety of habitats such as woodlands, wetlands, and meadow are home to abundant wildlife in all seasons.

Snowshoe rentals are available during office hours for use on sanctuary trails and are a fun and efficient way to get around anytime there is about six inches of snow or more. Rentals are $6 per hour for Mass Audubon members and $10 per hour for non-members.

Have you resolved to get outside more this season?

Learn about all things owls and then practice those skills on a short outdoor walk to at the Family Owl Prowl from 5 until 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15.

“This is a great opportunity to listen for nighttime wildlife who are active after dark at a time when the sanctuary is normally closed to visitors,” said Marketing Coordinator Jenn Dziejma

Find out more about native wildlife and the tracks they leave behind during Animal Tracks and Traces from 10:30 a.m. until noon, Monday, March 16, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Spend your school holiday, together with other families, examining the clues animals leave behind, making track casts, and taking a gentle walk along the trails practicing your new skills.

“Spending time in nature fosters well-being, increases imagination, and promotes a connection to the natural world,” said Kathy Kennedy, education coordinator.

“Whether you take a walk to enjoy the scenery or join a public program for a fun outdoor experience, Wachusett Meadow is a great place to visit this season,” said Community Advocacy and Engagement Manager Deb Cary.

Wachusett Meadow is located at 113 Goodnow Road. Trails, restrooms, and parking are open daily from dawn to dusk and the office and gift shop are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Admission is $4 for adults; $3 for children and seniors; and free for Mass Audubon members, Princeton residents, active-duty military families, and EBT card holders.

For more information about the sanctuary, or to register for upcoming programs and see the full catalog of offerings, visit massaudubon.org/wachusettmeadow or call 978-464-2712 to register by phone.

Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of Mass Audubon, the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change.

With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries.