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 April 2008: Local National Wildlife Refuges announce Ground Breaking Ceremony for May 3rdThe United States Fish and Wildlife Service's Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Complex) announced today that the ground breaking ceremony for their new Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex visitor center wil be held on Saturday, May 3rd between 2:00 and 4:00 PM at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. Congresswoman Niki Tsongas will preside over the event. See our events page for more information. March 24, 2008: Local National Wildlife Refuges Propose a Firewood
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| Woodcock | October 13 - November 12 | ||
| Ruffed Grouse | October 13 - November 24 | ||
| Gray Squirrel | October 13 - January 2 | ||
| Cottontail Rabbit | October 13 - February 29 | ||
| Deer (archery) | October 15 - November 24 | ||
| Deer (shotgun) | November 26 - December 8 | ||
| Deer (muzzle loader) | December 10 - December 31 |
Note that there is no hunting on the refuge or throughout the state on Sundays.
September 13, 2007: New Proposal to Bring Blanding's Turtles to Assabet River NWR
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to establish a new population of Blanding's Turtles at Assabet River NWR. Public comments are due October 12, 2007. For more information, please read the press release (here) and the draft environmental assessment (here).
Comments can be sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
attn: Blandings Turtle EA
73 Weir Hill Road
Sudbury, MA 01776
Comments can also be sent via email to Stephanie_Koch@fws.gov with the phrase "Blanding's EA Comments" in the subject line. However, postal mail is preferred as more reliable and not subject to system filtering.
1859: The Complaint and Petition of the Inhabitants of Wayland, Sudbury, Concord, Bedford and Carlisle
Protection of the Assabet, Sudbury and Concord Rivers is not a recent phenomena. The Citizens of the above listed towns fought in both the courts and in the Massachusetts legislature for the restoration and protection of the river flood plains. At issue was the construction of dams that substantially changed the nature of the rivers and the demand that they be returned to their pristine state. The eloquence of the selectmen of these towns in arguing for the restoration of the river lands can't be matched in today's political debates:
By the operation of these causes, these vast tracts of meadow land have been nearly ruined ... What is still worse, this rich and beautiful expanse, forming, by its peculiarly deep verdure, a noble feature of delightful landscape, is converted into a loathsome laboratory of mephitic gases and poisonous exhalations. The decay of a dense and widely extended mass of vegetable matter, composed in part of rank weeds, which, as the spring freshets subside, shoot up with the vigor of Nile vegetation, sends forth, instead of "the sweet and wholesome odor of the new mown hay, a foul, pestilent congregation of vapors." The bland zephyrs blow them to our distant doors as perceptible as the effluvia of a slaughter-house. Whole families have been prostrated and decimated by fevers. Many robust men, heads of families, in the very prime and vigor of manhood, have been cut down in a manner not easily accounted for except from this cause. Chronic and acute rheumatisms have become alarmingly prevalent; books and clothing contract moisture and mould in closets, trunks, and drawers, fine cutlery, steeel ornaments, needles and daguerreotypes laid away are found corroded with rust, and spotted with mildew; the sale of real estate is paralyzed; several farms finely situated have long been disposed of for a third of their former value; some of the most substantial and pleasant dwellings have long been vacant ... Strangers, who come to view these estates say, "You have too much water here;" and go their way.
In the end, after years of litigation and petition, the dams were breached and the flow of the rivers returned to near their original state.
The above quote taken from the pamphlet The Complaint and Petition of the Inhabitants of Wayland, Sudbury, Concord, Bedford and Carlisle published by Alfred Mudge and Son, Boston, 1859.
November 27, 2006: Refuge Association Launches 2nd Annual Refuge Photo Contest
Washington, DC The National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) announces its 2nd annual digital photo contest show casing America's national wildlife refuges. Entries for the 2007 Refuge Photo Contest can be submitted until January 31, 2007 with results to be announced March 14, 2007 at the 104th anniversary of the establishment of the first National Wildlife Refuge.
The National Wildlife Refuge System, comprised of over 540 refuges throughout the nation, protects both rare and common types of habitat - everything from southwest desert to arctic tundra. Images submitted for the photo contest can be of birds, mammals, insects, fish, other animals, plants, people, or simply shots of refuge scenery.
Our judges will be Maria Cecil, principal, Cecil Editorial, editor of Wildlife Refuge magazine and former editor of Defenders magazine; Jim Clark, nature photographer, writer, motivational speaker and instructor; and Karen Hollingsworth, professional nature photographer. Top prizes include a pair of Steiner Merlin 8x24 binoculars, a Swarovski Extremadura backpack, and a MagMount TrekPod. In addition, the winners' images will be highlighted on our website and future NWRA publications. Up to 200 images will also be selected for inclusion in the NWRA Refuge Image Library and every photographer submitting an entry will receive a complimentary one-year membership in the National Wildlife Refuge Association.
"Images are critical to telling the Refuge System story," says Evan Hirsche, president of NWRA. "We know that there are terrific amateur photographers capturing images throughout the System. This is an opportunity for avid photographers to show their work to a broader audience and to help capture the essence of our remarkable wildlife refuges."
For photo contest details, requirements, and procedures, visit http://www.refugenet.org, and click on "2007 Refuge Photo Contest."
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, nationwide membership organization, established in 1975. The NWRA's mission is to protect, enhance, and expand the National Wildlife Refuge System, lands and waters set aside by the American people to protect our country's diverse wildlife heritage. For more information, visit http://www.refugenet.org.
January 11, 2006: South Side Trails Open
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Invites Public to Explore New Trails Opened on South Side of Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge
Visit your local National Wildlife Refuge! The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) invites the public to rediscover Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) by exploring 2.77 miles of new trails recently opened on the south side of Hudson Road in Sudbury, Massachusetts.
From American Beaver to Masked Shrew, from Red Fox to Red-shouldered Hawk, this refuge is an inspiring place for all who wish to cultivate a deeper connection with wildlife and the natural world we share. “It’s a great place for solace or an exuberant winter time adventure,” said Visitor Services Manager, Michael Dixon.
This land, centered in a developed area, had been protected by the Army for 58 years, before being transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the fall of 2000. That protection has allowed the maturation of extensive, structurally diverse wetland habitats, whose ecological integrity is enhanced by its surrounding upland forests and grasslands. The refuge provides significant habitat for migrating and resident wildlife. Along with providing habitat to numerous species considered threatened or endangered by the state of Massachusetts, the refuge also includes several rare wetland types and a number of vernal pools, which are considered to be habitats of special concern. Habitats such as these are an irreplaceable part of our natural heritage. You can help conserve these special places by staying on designated trails.
Under Army administration, the area was not open to general public use. Because of this, public access has always been a high priority for local community members. In January of 2005 the Service completed a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the Assabet River NWR. This plan presents management goals, objectives, and strategies that we believe will best achieve our vision for the refuge, contribute to the National Wildlife Refuge System Mission, and serve the American public. A strategy was developed to open portions of the refuge in phases, in order to accomplish the goal of building a public that understands, appreciates, and supports refuge goals for wildlife. Opening these new trails fulfills another promise and exemplifies our commitment to the local and extended community we serve. “We especially want to recognize and thank the Friends of Assabet River for their constant assistance in preparing this and other parts of the refuge for public access,” said Refuge Manager, Debra Kimbrell-Anderson.
The refuge first opened to public access in March of 2005, followed by an official Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on October 23, 2005. New segments of the trail system were made available to the public on each occasion. Today, numerous opportunities exist for walking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing at Assabet River NWR, providing challenges, stimulation, and perhaps some comfort for those suffering from cabin fever. You may be thinking to yourself, “I’ve been there and done that.” Yet, how many people realize they are missing out on one of the truly great pleasures of life by “not re-visiting” their local national wildlife refuge. Your first visit to Assabet River NWR may be charming, but the second, third, and fourth could very well be the experience of a lifetime.
Parking is available at the main refuge entrance off Hudson Road in Sudbury. To ensure a safe and enjoyable visit, first stop by the kiosk to pick up a revised trail map or review the large updated area map which shows the location of new trails and intersections. Next, access the new south side trails by safely crossing Hudson Road. Walk past the metal gate, travel through a short portion of the Sudbury / Marlborough State Forest, and look for the refuge entrance sign.
Driving Directions:
- From the east, head west on Hudson Road, turn north (right) into the parking lot of the Sudbury, Marlborough State Forest in Sudbury.
- From the west, head east on Hudson Road passing the Massachusetts State Fire Academy, turn north into the State Forest parking lot.
Assabet River NWR is one of eight refuges within the eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex. The refuge management and administrative office is located at the Complex Headquarters at 73 Weir Hill Road, Sudbury, Massachusetts, 01776. For more information about future management and wildlife dependent recreation, contact the refuge manager at (978)-443-4661 or go to the refuge web site at http://www.fws.gov/northeast/assabetriver
Send comments or questions to FW5RW_EMNWR@fws.gov, or contact us at:
Michael Dixon, Visitor Services Manager
Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex
PH: (978)-443-4661 x 34
Michael_Dixon@fws.gov
October 23, 2005: Assabet River NWR Opening Celebration
The opening celebration for the Assabet River NWR was a rousing success. Here's a few pictures of the celebration courtesy of Timothy Coyne. Wildlife Refuge
The rain didn't keep people away
L-S High Environment Club with Karen Riggert and Barbara Volkle
Congressman Marty Meehan and the Refuge Staff
The local "press" was out in force
Cutting the ribbon