Mass Audubon Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary
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Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Mass Audubon Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary is a scenic natural area located in the town of Falmouth in Massachusetts.
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Summary
The sanctuary is spread over 45 acres and is home to a diverse range of wildlife and plant species.
There are several reasons to visit the Mass Audubon Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary offers visitors a chance to explore the natural beauty of Cape Cod, including woodlands, wetlands, and fields. It is also home to over 60 species of birds, making it a great destination for birdwatching enthusiasts.
Some specific points of interest to see at the sanctuary include the Holly Trail, which leads visitors through a grove of rare and endangered holly trees, and the Red Maple Swamp Trail, which winds through a wetland area and offers visitors a chance to see frogs, turtles, and other wildlife.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the sanctuary is home to the largest population of Eastern Box Turtles on Cape Cod, and that it was originally owned by the prominent Falmouth businessman Charles Gifford, who donated the land to Mass Audubon in 1972.
The best time of year to visit the Mass Audubon Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary is during the spring and fall, when migratory bird species are most active and the foliage is at its most vibrant. Visitors should also be aware that the sanctuary has limited parking and is only open during certain hours, so it is important to plan ahead before visiting.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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.
Related References
Francis A Crane Pheasant Wildlife Management Area
Francis A Crane Quail Wildlife Management Area
Fonseca Park
Quashnet Woods State Reservation
Washburn Island State Park