Albert R. Retelle Reservation

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Albert R.


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Summary

Retelle Reservation is a natural sanctuary located in the town of Dartmouth, Massachusetts. It covers an area of 77 acres and features a diverse range of habitats, including freshwater marshes, salt marshes, and woodlands. The reservation is open year-round and offers visitors a chance to explore the natural beauty of the area.

One of the main reasons to visit the Albert R. Retelle Reservation is to go birdwatching. The area is home to a variety of bird species, including ospreys, great egrets, and snowy egrets. Visitors can also go hiking on the trails that wind through the woods and along the marshes. There are several observation platforms that offer great views of the surrounding landscape.

One of the most interesting features of the Albert R. Retelle Reservation is the Salters Pond. This freshwater pond is fed by underground springs and is home to a variety of aquatic plants and animals. Visitors can also see remnants of the old salt works that were once operated in the area.

The best time to visit the Albert R. Retelle Reservation is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the bird activity is at its peak. However, the area is beautiful year-round and visitors can enjoy the winter scenery and snowshoeing on the trails.

In summary, the Albert R. Retelle Reservation is a natural sanctuary in Massachusetts that offers visitors a chance to explore a variety of habitats and see a diverse range of bird species. The area is home to Salters Pond, which is fed by underground springs and has remnants of old salt works. The best time to visit is during the spring and fall, but the area is beautiful year-round.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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