You Don’t Have to Fill Your Gas Tank to Enjoy the Great Outdoors This Summer!

Worcester, MA - Looking for some outdoor fun close to home this summer? Neighborhood Nature is back and Mass Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook is pleased to offer this free yearly series in three city parks again this summer! Drop by Elm Park and Crystal Park to learn about the nature of our neighborhoods and the uniquely special habitats found in the city. Enjoy nature crafts, activities, stories, explorations, and quiet times under shady trees. Trained naturalists will be there, rain or shine, unless there's thunder and lightning.

Always wanted to try canoeing? Here's your chance! Mass Audubon canoes will allow you to explore, enjoy, and learn about the wildlife of Green Hill Pond, from a perspective you don't usually have - on the water! Paddles, personal flotation vests, and basic canoe instruction are all provided. You just bring the interest and some basic swimming skills. An adult must accompany all participants under 18 years. Groups of 6 or more, please preregister by calling (508) 753-6087, ext. 16. Program may be cancelled due to inclement weather.

"Participants are often surprised that there is so much nature in the city. They discover that nature isn't something 'out there,' but something right here where we live," says Marcia Grenier, Broad Meadow Brook natural history guide and Neighborhood Nature coordinator. "In Elm Park, we keep a running list of the different kinds of animals we find each week and that list is often several pages long!"

The Neighborhood Nature Series is possible through a partnership with the Worcester Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department and the generous support of its sponsors, The Hanover Insurance Group and Sovereign Bank.

"Neighborhood Nature is a fantastic way for young people to connect to the nature of their city. We are pleased to be able to offer this series once again and we're grateful to our sponsors for making it happen," says Deb Cary, director of Mass Audubon's Central Sanctuaries.

Neighborhood Nature is FREE and open to the public during any of the following times:

Elm Park - located on Park Avenue next to Price Chopper (at the skate house, next to the playground)

• Wednesdays, June 25 through August 22, 1pm - 4pm
• Fridays, June 27 through August 22, 10am-1pm

Crystal Park - located on Main Street across from Clark University (under the tent near the pool)

• Thursdays, June 26 through August 22, 1-3pm

On the Water at Green Hill Park - located on Skyline Drive off Belmont St.

• Fridays, June 27 - August 22, 2-5pm

Looking for a longer excursion into nature? Guess where you'll find New England's largest urban wildlife sanctuary? Right in the middle of Worcester! At Broad Meadow Brook, you'll find miles of well-marked trails running through over 400 acres of woodlands, meadows, and streams, and admission is free for Worcester residents and students! Come for an hour or spend the day. See how many butterfly species you can find in the gardens and meadow, discover what the beavers have been up to, visit the frogs in the frog pond, bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the deck by the garden, check out the educational exhibits at the newly renovated Visitor Center. Just minutes from Routes 20, 122, 146, 290 and the Mass Pike, Broad Meadow Brook is also on WRTA bus line 22.

And for less than what it costs for tank of gas, your family can join Mass Audubon and enjoy a year of free admission to all 45 sanctuaries throughout Massachusetts, as well as discounts on programs, camps, and merchandise.

Mass Audubon works to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. Together with more than 100,000 members, we care for 33,000 acres of conservation land, provide educational programs for 200,000 children and adults annually, and advocate for sound environmental policies at the local, state, and federal levels. Mass Audubon's mission and actions have expanded since our beginning in 1896 when our founders set out to stop the slaughter of birds for use on women's fashions. Today we are the largest conservation organization in New England. Our statewide network of 45 wildlife sanctuaries welcomes visitors of all ages and serves as the base for our conservation, education, and advocacy work. To learn more about Mass Audubon and to support these important efforts, call Broad Meadow Brook at (508) 753-6087 or visit www.massaudubon.org.