Since early 2020, the Visitor Center at Assabet River NWR has been closed, and is being repurposed as the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex headquarters. The move will result in cost savings while reducing demands on the Complex staff, allowing for improved ability to address conservation and community engagement opportunities.
In mid-July 2024, Friends of Woodlands and Waters began offering Saturday Open Houses which have given members and visitors the opportunity to learn about the changes to the Visitor Center interior leading up to its new use. With the Complex headquarters moving to Assabet River NWR, visitors may start seeing more USFWS staff around, although the building will not re-open to the public as a visitor center.
Refuge staff are working with the Friends to staff the Front Desk lobby area for mid-week Visitor Outreach, one day or more per week, beginning this month on Tuesdays. To begin the new year, we are announcing the January 2025 schedule, and we look forward to seeing you soon. Schedules for future months will be announced throughout the year.
January 2025
Sunday, January 12 ~ 10am to 2pm
Tuesday, January 14 ~ 10am to 2pm
Tuesday, January 21 ~ 10am to 2pm
Saturday, January 25 ~ 10am to 2pm
Tuesday ~ January 28 ~ 10am to 2pm
If you are interested in volunteering to staff the Front Desk, please send an email to the Friends of Woodlands and Waters at friendsofaroxgm@gmail.com, with Front Desk Volunteering in the subject line.