Mass Audubon's Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary

With nearly 1200 acres of protected land in the Wachusett Highlands, Wachusett Meadow is one of Mass Audubon's largest wildlife sanctuaries, and part of the "Central Sanctuaries" system. It contains a nature center, extensive woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and over 12 miles of hiking trails. Many educational programs for families, adults, scouts, homeschool, preschool, and summer camp are run by sanctuary staff and volunteers.

Our mission is to protect and preserve the nature of Massachusetts, through education, advocacy, conservation and land protection. By 1786, Edward and Lois Goodnow had established a home and farm on a landscape of south facing spring-filled forests overlooking the wet meadow soon to be known as Wachusett Meadow. The timber-framed house grew with the years and became a tavern in 1830. In 1917, C.T. Crocker II purchased the property which included almost 600 acres of land, houses, and barns. He established a summer home and small farm, raised shorthorn milking cows, oxen, horses, sheep and sheepdogs, and constructed the spacious three-story gambrel barn to support their active operation. In 1956, C.T. Crocker III donated the land and buildings to Mass Audubon, establishing Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary for prosperity. The historic farmhouse and barns currently house our nature center and program functions, as well as our resident sheep flock.