Established in 1896 by Harriet Lawrence Hemenway and Minna B. Hall, in response to the cruelly harvested plumage that adorned women’s hats, Mass Audubon’s mission is to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. The organization serves as a leader and a catalyst for conservation, by acting directly to protect the nature of Massachusetts, stimulating individual and institutional action through conservation, education, and through advocacy, a role championed by their first president, noted ornithologist William Brewster (1896-1913) who advanced legislation to restrict the killing of birds and sale of their plumage.

With more than 60 wildlife sanctuaries located across Massachusetts, Mass Audubon provides innumerable opportunities to get outdoors and explore nature offering extensive programs for all ages, including 18-day camps for youth.