U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex Welcome to Situated along the Atlantic Flyway Eastern Massachusetts the Eastern in Massachusetts, the Eastern Massachusetts Massachusetts National Wildlife National Wildlife Refuge National Wildlife Refuge Complex is comprised of Refuge Complex eight ecologically diverse refuges. Complex contains eight The eight separate refuges include inland and coastal wetlands, forests, of more than 560 refuges grasslands, and barrier beaches that provide important habitat for in the National Wildlife migratory birds, mammals, plants, reptiles, and amphibians. The U.S. Refuge System which is This blue goose, Fish & Wildlife Service manages designed by J.N. these areas to conserve and protect administered by the U.S. “Ding” Darling, a diversity of native wildlife habitats has become the and species. The refuge complex Fish and Wildlife Service. symbol of the encompasses several endangered National Wildlife and threatened species, the only The National Wildlife Refuge System. federally designated Wilderness Refuge System is a network Area in Southern New England, one structure on the National Register of of lands and waters Historic Places, and a National Wild and Scenic River. managed specifically for the protection of wildlife and wildlife habitat and represents the most Canoeing on the Concord River. comprehensive wildlife resource management program in the world. Units of the system stretch across the United States from northern Alaska to the Florida Keys, and include small islands in the Caribbean and South Pacific. The character of the refuges is as diverse
as the nation itself. Sherry Fendel What is a National Eastern Massachusetts National Aquatic weed Wildlife Refuge? Wildlife Refuge Complex (NWR) harvester at consists of eight of the more than work. 560 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is charged with maintaining more USFWS
Wildlife Management Wildlife management within the complex focuses on creating and maintaining productive habitat for a healthy diversity of species. Management tools include exotic plant control, barrier beach management, avian diversity Piping plover at management, and water level
Monomoy NWR. Mark Wilson manipulation. Management activities can be as simple as mowing old fields, which provide homes for birds and than 150 million acres of habitat for butterflies, or as involved as carefully endangered species, over 700 avian timed draw-downs of refuge pools. species, 220 mammalian species, Exotic plant control helps maintain 250 reptilian and amphibian species, the natural diversity found in wetland anadromous fish and much, much and upland communities. Water level more. manipulation can change the habitat and provide food and
Sunset on Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
Life in a sea
of green. USFWS Paul Olsen Paul Great blue heron Endangered chestnut from the Sudbury River. in a sea of water Species Several barrier beaches are found chestnut. Management in the Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex. These areas are used by a number of threatened and endangered species and are major Sandy Selesky Exotic Plant cover for fish and wildlife. Management Exotic, non-native, invasive plants are a major threat at most of the refuges in the complex. At Great Meadows NWR, two such plants are purple loosestrife and water chestnut. These Monomoy NWR exotic plants have practically taken Beach. Stephanie Koch over many of the refuge wetlands and waterways because natural predators stopover spots for migratory birds. are not present in the United States Intensive management efforts have to keep the plants in balance. been underway at Monomoy NWR for many years to increase piping Many people agree that purple plover and roseate tern nesting loosestrife is an attractive plant success. A restoration project that with its purple flowering stalk. But began in 1996 has increased the loosestrife has little to no value to availability of nesting habitat for wildlife and dominates wetlands where birds protected by the Endangered cattails once flourished. After a decade Species Act on a portion of the refuge. of research, scientists have found that This management has encouraged beetles native to the plant’s European gulls to nest in other parts of the habitat are one of the most successful refuge so they would not compete control methods for loosestrife. The with less abundant birds for nesting release of weevils and beetles seems to space. Almost immediately after the be the best management solution. project began, an increase was seen in They feed only on purple loosestrife. the number and diversity of nesting With the use of these weevils and beetles, we have made progress Reflections of controlling loosestrife but more great blue heron. remains to be done.
Controlling water chestnut is also difficult. This plant forms a thick green mat atop open water in the summer. Currently, Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex is managing water chestnut by lowering water levels in refuge pools when possible. This practice is expected to minimize the water chestnut population while encouraging the growth of plants such as millet and smartweed, which are beneficial to wildlife. We also work with neighboring towns to remove water Don Crasco Eastern species in the management area. Lily pads with Massachusetts Transferred to the U.S. Fish and water chestnut. NWR Complex Wildlife Service from the U.S. Army Assabet River in 2000, the 2,220-acre Assabet National Wildlife River NWR is located in the towns Refuge of Maynard, Stow, Sudbury, and Hudson. The refuge provides wildlife j with a diversity of upland and wetland habitats. The refuge complex visitor
center is located at this refuge. Sandy Selesky Wildlife observation and photography are allowed on 15 miles of trails. turn left onto Weir Hill Road. Directions to the Concord Unit: Directions: The main entrance is on Travel to this area by following Route Hudson Road in Sudbury, 3 miles 62 east from Concord Center toward west of the town center. The north Bedford. After approximately one entrance is off White Pond Road in mile, turn left onto Monsen Road. Stow, about 1 mile south of Rte. 117. Continue on Monsen Road until you The east entrance is at the end of Old see the refuge entrance on your left. Marlborough Road in Maynard, MA Restroom facilities are available. Great Meadows Mashpee National Wildlife The first refuge in the complex, Great National Wildlife Located in the towns of Mashpee and Refuge Meadows NWR consists of two main Refuge Falmouth, this refuge will total 5,871 units along 12 miles of the Sudbury acres when complete, only a small and Concord Rivers. The original 250 percentage of which will be owned acres were donated by local resident by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Samuel Hoar for the conservation Currently, about 300 acres are in of migratory waterfowl. Today this FWS ownership. Managed through 3,800-acre refuge is composed of a unique partnership among freshwater wetlands and upland areas eight federal, state and private that noted ornithologists have called conservation groups, this Cape some of the best inland birding sites Cod refuge preserves thousands of in all of Massachusetts. Trails are acres of magnificent salt marshes, available at both units. cranberry bogs, Atlantic white cedar swamps, freshwater marshes, and Bruce Flaig The complex’s main office is located at vernal pools. It provides habitat for Eastern Phoebe Great Meadows’ Sudbury Unit. Osprey nesting at Mashpee NWR. Directions to Sudbury Unit: To reach qa the headquarters at Weir Hill Road, follow Route 27 (1.7 miles) from Wayland, turn right onto Water Row Road. Follow Water Row Road (1.2 Miles) to the end, and turn right onto Lincoln Road. Travel 1/2-mile, then Cynthia Cronig NEWBURYPORTBURYPORT Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife 95 Refuge Complex 1 495 3 93 Oxbow National HARVARD Concord SALEM Wildlife Division 95 . R CONCORD Refuge a u h Great Meadows s a MAYNARD N 2 National Wildlife Wachusett Assabet Refuge Reservoir River National 9 Sudbury 395 Wildlife Division 90 BOSTON Refuge WORCESTER FRAMINGHAM 95
90 1 495
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24 PLYMOUTH Massasoit TAUNTON 3 44 National Wildlife Refuge 44 Great Quittacus Pond Long 495 Pond
BARNSTBARNSTABLE CHATHAMTHAM Watuppa 6 Ponds 6 195 FALALMOUTHMOUTH Monomoy Mashpee National National Wildlife Wildlife Refuge Refuge Nantucket EDGARTEDGARTOWOWNN National Wildlife N Refuge Nomans CHILMARK Land Island NANTUCKET National 50 10 20 Miles Wildlife Refuge Massasoit National Wildlife Located in Plymouth and Refuge managed cooperatively with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, this 208-acre refuge is home to the Northern red-bellied cooter, a federally endangered species. Research, monitoring, and recovery efforts for the turtle takes place at the refuge, and to protect this endangered turtle, the refuge is closed to public access. Bruce Flaig Snapping turtle migratory waterfowl, songbirds, shorebirds, raptors, red fox, and white-tailed deer. Both educational and recreational activities are offered by several partnership groups including the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Directions: Take Route 28 east to Route 151 east to Mashpee Commons. At the rotary take Great Neck Road south to Jehu Pond Conservation area parking lot. There are public use areas on several of the partner’s properties. Stephanie Koch Least Tern at Monomoy NWR.
Monomoy Silhouette at National Wildlife Located on the elbow of Cape Cod, sunset. Refuge in Chatham, this refuge is made up of 7,244 acres of barrier beach, sand dunes, freshwater ponds, and saltwater marshes. Monomoy NWR encompasses the only federally designated Wilderness Area in southern New England. Parts of the refuge are seasonally closed to the public to protect habitat for nesting and feeding birds. The trails provide visitors an opportunity to see a large diversity of plants and animals. Monomoy NWR is renowned for its ability to support a wide variety of bird species. Its barrier beaches
Paul Olsen Paul serve as a major stopover during the migration along the Atlantic Flyway. Nomans Land The Trustees of Reservations. Directions: To reach the Island National Just off the coast of Martha’s headquarters on Morris Island, take Wildlife Refuge Vineyard, these 628 acres of upland U.S. Route 6 east to State Road 137, and wetland habitat support many follow SR137 south, to State Route migratory bird species including 28 east, follow Rt 28 through the peregrine falcon during its fall Chatham to Chatham Lighthouse and migration. Due to its prior use as a Coast Guard station. Take the first bombing range and the possibility of left after the lighthouse, then the first unexploded ordnance, the island right. Follow Morris Island Road to is closed to the public. signs for the refuge on the left. Nantucket National Wildlife Located at the tip of Great Point Refuge on Nantucket Island, this 24-acre refuge provides surf fishing, wildlife observation, and summer interpretive programs. The refuge is managed cooperatively with The Trustees of Reservations. The barrier beach habitat at Nantucket NWR provides habitat for piping plovers, migratory waterfowl, and shorebirds. Parts of the refuge are seasonally closed to the public to protect habitat for nesting, feeding, and resting birds. The refuge also provides seasonal access to some of the best saltwater fishing in the northeast.
Directions: The refuge is located
approximately six miles from the end Bruce Flaig of Wauwinet Road at the northern tip Blandings Turtle of Great Point on Nantucket, and is Nantucket only accessible by vehicle; oversand Great Point vehicle permits must be purchased by Lighthouse. Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge Situated along the Nashua River in Harvard, Ayer, Shirley, and Lancaster, this 1,667-acre refuge is made up of freshwater wetlands. More than 5 miles of walking trails takes visitors along the river bank, across oxbow ponds, and through beaver habitat. Dragonfly Directions: The refuge can be reached by taking Route 110 south from Harvard Center for 1.8 miles and turning right onto Still River Depot Road. The refuge entrance and parking lot are across the railroad tracks and adjacent to the river. A Janet Kennedy Bruce Flaig new facility is located on Hospital Opportunities Road in Devens as well. for People At many of our refuges, opportunities sy Boating and fishing are allowed in for public enjoyment of wildlife the Concord, Sudbury, and Nashua and wildlife habitat through Rivers, but not in refuge pools. environmental education and Canoeing, kayaking and fishing are interpretation are provided. allowed at Puffer Pond at the Assabet River NWR. Surf fishing is allowed Public support and involvement are at Nantucket and Monomoy NWRs. essential elements for a successful
Juanita Blaskowski refuge. Volunteer and friends The disturbance, destruction, or Student field groups at individual refuges play removal of wildlife, vegetation, and trip and outdoor a vital role in their success. To get facilities are prohibited. classroom with involved, call or visit your local USFWS volunteer national wildlife refuge and tell This is your refuge, but not only Bob Reed. them you want to help preserve yours. Enjoy it, but please do nothing your national treasures. to harm it. A Few Simple For Further Rules All persons using the refuges are Information, Eastern Massachusetts asked to comply with local, state, Please Contact: National Wildlife Refuge Complex and federal laws, regulations, and 73 Weir Hill Road ordinances, as well as with any Sudbury, Massachusetts 01776 refuge-specific regulations. For 978/443 4661 more information, contact the 978/443 2898 Fax headquarters. Office Hours Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Ng Use of designated trails within the Visitor Center refuge for nature study, hiking and Hours Thursday-Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm jB photography is permitted from one- located at 680 Hudson Road, Sudbury, half hour before sunrise to one-half MA 01776 hour after sunset. Hearing impaired may call the The refuges are closed to all domestic Massachusetts Relay Service at: pets. No dogs or horses are permitted. 1 800/439 2370.
Bicycles and motorized vehicles are Buttonbush restricted to the entrance roads and parking areas.
Camping, building campfires, swimming, and ATVs/ORVs are not permitted.
E Hunting is available at Assabet River, Great Meadows, and Oxbow NWR. Please contact refuge headquarters for specific regulations. Not all parts of these refuges are open to hunting and hunt seasons are limited. A refuge permit is required. USFWS LEGEND Wildlife Watching Tips Rivers/Stream Dawn and dusk are the best times to see wildlife. Cranberry bog In warmer climates, little is moving on hot summer Trails afternoons or on windy days. Lake or Pond Observe from the sidelines. Leave “abandoned” young Marsh, Wetland, Swamp or Bog animals alone. A parent is probably close by waiting for Primary Route you to leave. Don’t offer snacks; your lunch could disrupt wild Road or Street digestive systems. Sudbury Unit Cars make good observation blinds. Drive slowly, stopping Concord Unit to scan places wildlife might hide. Use binoculars or a long Refuge Boundary lens for a closer look. Refuge Headquarters Try sitting quietly in one good location. Let wildlife get used to Parking Lots your presence. Many animals that have hidden will reappear Heated Comfort Station once they think you are gone. Walk quietly in designated Observation/Photo Blind areas, being aware of sounds and smells. Often you will hear Canoe/Boat Launch more than you will see.
Teach children quiet observation. Other wildlife watchers will appreciate your consideration.
Look for animal signs. Tracks, scat, feathers, and nests left behind often tell interesting stories. 27
Assabet River Great Meadows BILLERICA National Wildlife National Wildlife
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SUDBURY 20 Hop Brook 126 Heard 27 Pond N Candings Pelham N Mill Island Rd Pond 20 126 0 1.5 3 miles
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N Bare Land Island 7 Hill National Wildlife 11 Pond Route Refuge to 01.75 .5 Miles Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex 73 Weir Hill Road Sudbury, Massachusetts 01776 978/443 4661 978/443 2898 Fax [email protected] www.fws.gov/northeast/easternmanwrcomplex
Massachusetts Relay Service 1 800/439 2370
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov/
For Refuge Information 1 800/344 WILD
September 2014
Cover photograph of a dragonfly on Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge by Bruce Flaig