national wildlife refuge complex - fws

15
Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Upload: others

Post on 03-Feb-2022

2 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

EasternMassachusettsNational Wildlife Refuge Complex

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Situated along the Atlantic Flyway in Massachusetts, the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex is comprised of eight ecologically diverse refuges. The eight separate refuges include inland and coastal wetlands, forests, grasslands, and barrier beaches that provide important habitat for migratory birds, mammals, plants, reptiles, and amphibians. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service manages these areas to conserve and protect a diversity of native wildlife habitats and species. The refuge complex encompasses several endangered and threatened species, the only federally designated Wilderness Area in Southern New England, one structure on the National Register of Historic Places, and a National Wild and Scenic River.

Welcome to the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Canoeing on the Concord River.

Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex contains eight of more than 553 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System which is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is a network of lands and waters managed specifically for the protection of wildlife and wildlife habitat and represents the most 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.

This blue goose, designed by J.N. “Ding” Darling, has become the symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Sher

ry F

ende

l

Wildlife Management

Life in a sea of green.

Piping plover at Monomey NWR.

Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex (NWR) consists of eight of the more than 553 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 approximately 100 million acres of

What is a National Wildlife Refuge?

habitat for endangered species, over 700 avian species, 220 mammalian species, 250 reptilian and amphibian species, anadromous fish and much, much more. The National Wildlife Refuge System is a network of lands and waters managed specifically for the protection of wildlife and wildlife habitat, and represents the most comprehensive wildlife 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.

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 management, and water level manipulation. Management activities can be as simple as mowing old fields, which provide homes for birds and butterflies, or as involved as carefully timed draw-downs of refuge pools. Exotic plant control helps maintain the natural diversity found in wetland and upland communities. Water level manipulation can change the habitat and provide food and cover for fish and wildlife.

Aquatic weed harvester at work.

Sunset on Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.

Mar

k W

ilson

USF

WS

USF

WS

Paul

Ols

en

Great blue heron in a sea of water chestnut.

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 exotic plants have practically taken over many of the refuge wetlands and waterways because natural predators are not present in the United States to keep the plants in balance.

Many people agree that purple loosestrife is an attractive plant with its purple flowering stalk. But loosestrife has little to no value to wildlife and dominates wetlands where cattails once flourished. After a decade of research, scientists have found that beetles native to the plant’s European habitat are one of the most successful control methods for loosestrife. The release of weevels and beetles seems to be the best management solution. These beetles feed only on purple loosestrife. With the use of these beetles, we have made progress controlling loosestrife but more 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

Exotic Plant Management

chestnut from the Sudbury River.Several barrier beaches are found in the Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex. These areas are used by a number of threatened and endangered species and are major stopover spots for migratory birds.

Intensive management efforts have been underway at Monomoy NWR for many years to increase piping plover and roseate tern nesting success. A restoration project that began in 1996 has increased the availability of nesting habitat for birds protected by the Endangered Species Act on a portion of the refuge. This management has encouraged gulls to nest in other parts of the refuge so they would not compete with less abundant birds for nesting space. Almost immediately after the project began, an increase was seen in the number and diversity of nesting species in the management area.

Endangered Species Management

Monomoy NWR Beach.

Reflections of great blue heron.

Sand

y Se

lesk

y

Step

hani

e K

och

Don

Cra

sco

Eastern Phoebe

Transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from the U.S. Army in 2000, the 2,220-acre Assabet River NWR is located in the towns of Maynard, Stow, Sudbury, and Hudson. The refuge provides wildlife with a diversity of upland and wetland habitats. The refuge complex visitor center is located at this refuge. Wildlife observation and photography are allowed on 15 miles of trails.

Directions: The main entrance is on Hudson Road in Sudbury, 3 miles west of the town center. The north entrance is off White Pond Road in Stow, about 1 mile south of Rte. 117.

The first refuge in the complex, Great Meadows NWR consists of two main units along 12 miles of the Sudbury and Concord Rivers. The original 250 acres were donated by local resident Samuel Hoar for the conservation of migratory waterfowl. Today this 3,800-acre refuge is composed of freshwater wetlands and upland areas that noted ornithologists have called some of the best inland birding sites in all of Massachusetts. Trails are available at both units.

The complex’s main office is located at Great Meadows’ Sudbury Unit.

Directions to Sudbury Unit: To reach 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 turn left onto Weir Hill Road.

Eastern MassachusettsNWR ComplexAssabet River National Wildlife Refuge

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

qa

Bru

ce F

laig

Directions to the Concord Unit: Travel to this area by following Route 62 east from Concord Center toward Bedford. After approx imately one mile, turn left onto Monsen Road. Continue on Monsen Road until you see the refuge entrance on your left. Restroom facilities are available.

Located in the towns of Mashpee and Falmouth, this refuge will total 5,871 acres when complete, only a small percentage of which will be owned by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Currently, about 300 acres are in FWS ownership. Managed through a unique partnership among eight federal, state and private conservation groups, this Cape Cod refuge preserves thousands of acres of magnificent salt marshes, cranberry bogs, Atlantic white cedar swamps, freshwater marshes, and vernal pools. It provides habitat for migratory waterfowl, songbirds,

Lily pads with water chestnut.

Mashpee National WildlifeRefuge

Osprey nesting at Mashpee NWR.

Sand

y Se

lesk

yC

ynth

ia C

roni

g

j

PLYMOUTH

EDGARTOWN

BARNSTABLE

FALMOUTH

SALEM

BOSTON

BURYPORT

WORCESTER

MAYNARD

HARVARD

FRAMINGHAM

TAUNTON

CHATHAM

CONCORD

PLYMOUTH

EDGARTOWN

NANTUCKET

BARNSTABLE

FALMOUTH

SALEM

BOSTON

NEWBURYPORT

WORCESTER

MAYNARD

HARVARD

FRAMINGHAM

TAUNTON

CHATHAM

CONCORD

90

95

395

95

93

95

95

90

495

495

495

195

1

13

44

44

66

3

24

9

2

LongPond

WatuppaPonds

GreatQuittacus

Pond

WachusettReservoir

N

ashu

a

R.

Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge

Assabet River

National Wildlife Refuge

Massasoit National Wildlife Refuge

Great MeadowsNational Wildlife Refuge

Concord Division

Sudbury Division

MashpeeNational Wildlife Refuge

CHILMARKNomansLand IslandNational Wildlife Refuge

MonomoyNational Wildlife Refuge

NantucketNational Wildlife Refuge

EasternMassachusetts National WildlifeRefuge Complex

5 0 10 20 Miles

N

Silhouette at sunset.

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.

Snapping turtle

Bru

ce F

laig

Paul

Ols

en

Least Tern at Monomoy NWR.

Located in Plymouth and 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.

Massasoit National Wildlife Refuge

Located on the elbow of Cape Cod, 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 serve as a major stopover during the migration along the Atlantic Flyway.

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

Step

hani

e K

och

Nantucket Great Point Lighthouse.

Directions: To reach the headquarters on Morris Island, take U.S. Route 6 east to State Road 137, follow SR137 south, to State Route 28 east, follow Rt 28 through Chatham to Chatham Lighthouse and Coast Guard station. Take the first left after the lighthouse, then the first right. Follow Morris Island Road to signs for the refuge on the left.

Located at the tip of Great Point on Nantucket Island, this 40-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 access to some of the best saltwater fishing in the northeast.

Directions: The refuge is located approximately six miles from the end of Wauwinet Road at the northern tip of Great Point on Nantucket, and is only accessible by vehicle; oversand vehicle permits must be purchased by The Trustees of Reservations.

Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge

Jane

t K

enne

dy

Just off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, these 628 acres of upland and wetland habitat support many migratory bird species including the peregrine falcon during its fall migration. Due to its prior use as a bombing range and the possibility of unexploded ordnance, the island is closed to the public.

Nomans Land Island National Wildlife Refuge

Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge

Blandings Turtle

Situated along the Nashua River in Harvard, Ayer, Shirley, and Lancaster, this 1,667-acre refuge is made up of freshwater wetlands. More than 2 miles of walking trails takes visitors along the river bank, across oxbow ponds, and through beaver habitat.

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.

Dragonfly

Bru

ce F

laig

Bru

ce F

laig

Opportunities for People

At many of our refuges, opportunities for public enjoyment of wildlife and wildlife habitat through environmental education and interpretation are provided.

Public support and involvement are essential elements for a successful refuge. Volunteer and friends groups at individual refuges play a vital role in their success. To get involved, call or visit your local national wildlife refuge and tell them you want to help preserve your national treasures.

All persons using the refuges are asked to comply with local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances, as well as with any refuge-specific regulations. For more information, contact the headquarters.

Use of designated trails within the refuge for nature study, hiking and photography is permitted from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

The refuges are closed to all domestic pets. No dogs or horses are permitted.

Bicycles and motorized vehicles are restricted to the entrance roads and parking areas.

Camping, building campfires, swimming, and ATVs/ORVs are not permitted.

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.

A Few Simple Rules

Ng

jB

sy

Student field trip and outdoor classroom with USFWS volunteer Bob Reed.

E

Juan

ita

Bla

skow

ski

Boating and fishing are allowed in the Concord, Sudbury, and Nashua Rivers, but not in refuge pools. Canoeing, kayaking and fishing are allowed at Puffer Pond at the Assabet River NWR. Surf fishing is allowed at Nantucket and Monomoy NWRs.

The disturbance, destruction, or removal of wildlife, vegetation, and facilities are prohibited.

This is your refuge, but not only yours. Enjoy it, but please do nothing to harm it.

Eastern MassachusettsNational Wildlife Refuge Complex73 Weir Hill RoadSudbury, Massachusetts 01776978/443 4661978/443 2898 Fax

Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pmlocated at 680 Hudson Road, Sudbury, MA 01776

Hearing impaired may call the Massachusetts Relay Service at: 1 800/439 2370.

For Further Information, Please Contact:

Office Hours

Visitor Center Hours

Buttonbush

USF

WS

LEGEND

Rivers/Stream

Cranberry bog

Trails

Lake or Pond

Marsh, Wetland, Swamp or Bog

Primary Route

Road or Street

Sudbury Unit

Concord Unit

Refuge Boundary

Refuge Headquarters

Parking Lots

Heated Comfort Station

Observation/Photo Blind

Canoe/Boat Launch

Wildlife Watching Tips

Dawn and dusk are the best times to see wildlife.

In warmer climates, little is moving on hot summer afternoons or on windy days.

Observe from the sidelines. Leave “abandoned” young animals alone. A parent is probably close by waiting for you to leave. Don’t offer snacks; your lunch could disrupt wild digestive systems.

Cars make good observation blinds. Drive slowly, stopping to scan places wildlife might hide. Use binoculars or a long lens for a closer look.

Try sitting quietly in one good location. Let wildlife get used to your presence. Many animals that have hidden will reappear once they think you are gone. Walk quietly in designated areas, being aware of sounds and smells. Often you will hear 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.

Mink Link

Whit

e Pond

Roa

d

Taylor Way

Harry’s Way

Otter Alley

Patr

ol R

oad

Towhe

e Trai

l

VC

0 1 Mile

N20

LakeBoon

Willis Pond

SUDBURY-MARLBOROUGHSTATE FOREST

MARLBOROUGHDESERT CONSERVATION

LAND TOWN OFSUDBURY

HOP BROOKMARSHSUDBURY VALLEY TRUSTEES:

MEMORIAL FOREST

SUDBURY STATE FO

REST

Hudson Road

27

117

27

62 62117

27Elizabeth Brook

Assabet River

White

Pon

d

CandingsMillPond

Pratt's M

ill Pond

Hop

Bro

ok

VossPond

CuttingsPond

Taylor B

rook

Concord R

oad

State Road

White Pond Road

Fairbank R

oad

Sudbury RoadPatrol Road Petapawag

Trail

White Pond Road

MAYNARD

STOW

HUDSON

SUDBURY

Winterberry

Way

Tri-tow

n Trail

Pine GardenTrail

Hill Trai

l

Winterberr

y

Way

Puffer

Pond

Trail

Fish

er L

oop

Carbary’sTrail

Fisher L

oop

Fisher Loop

KingfisherTrail

SandbankTrail

TebassaTrail

PowerlineTrail

Sweet Fern

Trail

1

S-1

S-2

S-3

S-4S-5

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

1415

16

17

18

19

2021

22

23

24

25

26

LEGEND

Rivers/Stream

Intermittent Stream

Aquaduct

Lake or Pond

Marsh, Wetland, Swamp or Bog

Primary Route

Secondary Route

Road or Street

Sudbury Division

Concord Division

Refuge Boundary

Trails

Refuge Headquarters

Parking Lots

Comfort Station

Observations Tower

N

1.50 3 miles Concord Unit

Con

cord

Riv

er

62

2A

4

4

225

Assabet River

Mon

ument St

Riv

erR

d

C O N C O R D

B E D F O R D

C A R L I S L E

B I L L E R I C A

Concord Impoundments

Sudb

ury

Riv

er

WaldenPond

2

62

Sudbu

ry R

d

WALDEN

POND

STATE

RESERVATION

2A95

Bed

ford

Rd

L I N C O L N to Route 128

HeardPond

126

12627

Pelham Island Rd

S O U T H

S U D B U R Y

126

W A Y L A N D

WhitePond

117

N O R T H

S U D B U R Y

FairhavenBay

FarrarPond

Linco

ln R

d

27

Con

cord

Rd

Sherman Bridge RoadLincoln RdWeir Hill Rd

Sudbury Unit

S U D B U R YSudbury Riv

er

20

3

Con

cord

R

0 9 18 27 Miles

495

93

90

95

128

117

128

27

27

2

126

126

285

20

1

13CONCORD

AREA

SUDBURYAREA

CONCORDAREA

SUDBURYAREA

BedfordBedford

Burlington

FraminghamFramingham

CambridgeCambridge

Lynn

QuincyBrooklineBrookline

Lowell

Billerica

Carlisle

N. Reading

WakefieldStoneham

MelroseMaldenEverett

Dovers

Chelsea

WakefieldStoneham

MelroseMaldenEverett

Saugus

Peabody

Swampscott

Beverly

Salem

Winthrop

Revere

ReadingReadingLynnfield

Dovers

Wilmington

Natick WellesleyWellesley

Norwood

DedhamBraintree

WeymouthWeymouthHinghamHinghamMilton

Newton

Watertown

WoburnWinchester

Lexington

WalthamBelmont

Watertown

SomervilleMedford

Somerville ChelseaMedfordLincoln

Needham

ConcordMaynard

WaylandBOSTON

Su

dbu

ryR

Massachuse

tts

Ba

y

Great Meadows National Wildlife RefugeConcord/Sudbury Units

Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge

Grafton Pocket Road

Nayway Road

Red

Bro

ok R

oad

Ostrum

RoadMet

oxit

Roa

dM

eado

w N

eck

Roa

dSe

cons

ett

Isla

ndR

oad

OckwayBay

Shoe

stri

ngB

ay

Mashpee National WildlifeRefuge

Johns Pond

Mashpee Pond

WakebyPond

AshumetPond

EastFalmouth

Nantucket Sound

Waq

uoit

Bay

N

2.5 Miles1.250

130

151

28

Heritage

Memorial

Park

Mashpee

Wildlife

Sanctuary

Quashret

Road

Lovell'sLane

Brockes Road

Moody Pond

Gre

at N

eck

Roa

d N

orth

Lowell

Roa

d

Rotary

Route 28

Qua

shet

Riv

er

Old

Bar

nsta

bles

Roa

d Hoo

ppal

e R

oad

CoonamessetReservation

Crane VillageManagementAreas

Sand

wic

h R

oad

Chi

lds

Riv

er

Vineyard Sound

Seapi

t Riv

er

Eel

Pond

HamblinPond

JehuPond

Jehu PondConsevationArea

FlatPond

South Cape

Beach Park

I

AtlanticOcean

MILES STANDISH STATE RESERVATION

Great South Pond

Little South Pond

HoytsPond

LongPond

GallowsPond

LittleLongPond

Massasoit National Wildlife Refuge

0 1 2

N

3

3A

44

Plymouth

Boot Pond

Russell Millpond

GunnersExchangePond

CrookedPond

Refuge Closed to Public Access

MassasoitNational Wildlife Refuge

NantucketHarbo

r

Head of theHarbor

AtlanticOcean

Nantucket Sound

Lighthouse

Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge

Sand Road

The Trusteesof Reservation

NantucketNational Wildlife Refuge

0 2 Miles1

N

6

28

28137

0 3.5 Miles1.75

N

North MonomoyIsland

South Monomoy

MORRISISLAND

StationPonds

PowderHole

Sout

hB

each

Bridge St

Hospital Pond

Main St

Morris Island Rd

Tisquantum

Wilkis Way

Exit 11

MonomoyNational Wildlife

Refuge

CAPECOD

CHATHAM

Nantucket Sound

AtlanticOcean

NomansLand Island

National Wildlife Refuge

Nomans LandIsland

(Refuge Closedto Public Use)

AtlanticOcean

SquibnocketPoint

SquibnocketPoint

MenemshaPond

MENEMSHA

AQUINNAH

CHILMARK

MARTHA’SVINEYARD

q

0 3.5 Miles1.75

N

Na

shua

Riv

er

0 1.5 Miles.75

N

2

110

111

110111

2A

111

2A

W. M

ainSt

Shirley Rd

Hospital Rd

B&M

Rai

lroad

Still River Depot Rd

Exit 37B

Exit 38

RobbinsPond

MirrorLake

Gravel Pond

LittleMirrorLake

Sherm

anA

ve

to Ro

ute 11

7

Jack

son

Rd

Patton Rd

Wa lker Rd

FORT

DEVINS

MILI

TARY

R

ESERVATION

OxbowNationalWildlifeRefuge

Har

vard

Eastern MassachusettsNational Wildlife Refuge Complex73 Weir Hill RoadSudbury, Massachusetts 01776978/443 4661978/443 2898 [email protected]/northeast/easternmanwrcomplex

Massachusetts Relay Service1 800/439 2370

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Servicehttp://www.fws.gov/r5fws/ma/grm.htm

For Refuge Information1 800/344 WILD March 2011

Cover photograph of a dragonfly on Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge by Bruce Flaig