Our Mission

Friends of Woodlands and Waters is an all volunteer 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports and protects the Assabet River, Oxbow, and Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuges. The Friends work with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and collaborate with other conservation nonprofits in the locales of each of the Refuges, to meet wildlife and biological management objectives, recreational and educational goals, and help with Refuge enhancement and conservation projects. 

We offer Speaker Programs and outdoor programs related to conservation, environmental education topics, and Refuge history. We offer events and programs that help make the refuge more available to the public, such as weekend Open Houses, Nature Walks and Community Outreach at local fests and farmers markets. 

The Friends of Woodlands and Waters strive to increase diversity, foster equity, and prioritize inclusion to support the needs of Friends, volunteers, its partners, and visitors to the refuge. We welcome people of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientation, gender identities and expression, disabilities, ages, religions, and socioeconomic status. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of Friend’s mission: “to protect and enhance the refuges’ flora and fauna, through stewardship activities, education and outreach programs, the Friends will work to ensure these valuable resources are available for the enjoyment and education of present and future generations.” We commit to celebrating diversity, working towards equity, and being inclusive in all our work.

• Diversity: We want all people to feel welcome and safe when visiting the Refuge. The Refuges belong to all of us. We must celebrate diversity in the outdoors and actively work to ensure all children, families, and communities are encouraged to and can safely explore the natural world for the beauty, peace, and education and health benefits that nature and wildlife bring to our souls.
• Equity: We understand that systemic oppression, historic privilege, and other ideological imbalances have given unfair advantage to some groups of people while disadvantaging other groups. We strive to provide equitable opportunities to underserved communities so that they may have unfettered access to and full enjoyment of the bounty of resources at the Refuges.
• Inclusion: We will work to recognize, appreciate, celebrate, and embrace best ideas and practices to foster an inclusive environment and welcome a rich variety of perspectives, individuals, and organizations at our membership meetings, our activities, and with our board.