Assabet River 

National Wildlife 

Refuge

Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge

c/o Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex

73 Weir Hill Road

Sudbury, MA 01776

978/443 4661

978/443 2898 fax

Fw5rw_emnwr@fws.gov

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/assabetriver

Federal Relay Service

for the deaf and hard-of-hearing

1 800/877 8339

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

http://www.fws.gov

For Refuge Information

1 800/344 WILD

May 2010

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Eastern

Towhee

©Steve Baranoff
We do not inherit 

the Earth from our 

Ancestors, we borrow

it from our Children...”

 –Anonymous

“

Taylor Brook

©Marijke Holtrop
Welcome!

Becoming a 

refuge

Once upon a time these lands 

were hunted and fished by Native 

Americans, farmed by colonists, 

crossed by wagon trains and railroads 

and used for military training. Today, 

this is the Assabet River National 

Wildlife Refuge – a place for wildlife 

and a place for people. 

The Assabet River National Wildlife 

Refuge (refuge) has a large wetland 

complex, several smaller wetlands 

and vernal pools, and large forested 

areas which are important feeding 

and breeding areas for migratory 

birds and other wildlife. It also has 15 

miles of trails open to the public for 

the enjoyment of nature as well as a 

visitor center located on Winterberry 

Way (opening in 2010). 

The refuge is located approximately 

20 miles west of Boston in portions of 

the towns of Hudson, Maynard, Stow 

and Sudbury. It consists of several 

separate pieces of land: a 1,900-acre 

northern section, a 300-acre southern 

section, and 113 acres scattered 

along the Assabet River in Stow. The 

main entrance to the refuge is at 680 

Hudson Road in Sudbury.

The refuge is one of eight national 

wildlife refuges that comprise the 

Eastern Massachusetts National 

Wildlife Refuge Complex. These eight 

ecologically diverse refuges include 

Assabet River, Great Meadows, 

Mashpee, Massasoit, Monomoy, 

Nantucket, Nomans Land Island 

and Oxbow. Information about the 

complex and these refuges is available 

at http://www.fws.gov/northeast/

easternmanwrcomplex.

Assabet River National Wildlife 

Refuge is part of the National Wildlife 

Refuge System (System). The System 

is managed by the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (Service) and is the 

world’s premier system of public 

lands and waters set aside to conserve 

This blue goose, 

designed by J.N. 

“Ding” Darling, has 

become the symbol of 

the National Wildlife 

Refuge System

America’s fish, wildlife and plants. 

Since President Theodore Roosevelt 

designated Florida’s Pelican Island 

as the first wildlife refuge in 1903, 

the System has grown to more 

than 150 million acres, 550 national 

wildlife refuges and other units of the 

System, plus 37 wetland management 

districts. 

Formerly known as the Fort Devens 

Sudbury Training Annex, the refuge 

was established in 2000, when the 

Army transferred 2,230 acres to the 

Service. This transfer was made 

under the Defense Base Closure 

and Realignment Act of 1990, for its 

“particular value in carrying out the 

national migratory bird management 

program.”

Initially, this area was utilized 

by Native Americans that had 

established villages. The landscape 

offered great fishing opportunities 

and subsistence living. Land use 

in New England started to change 

with the onset of King Phillip’s War 

in 1675 and English colonization. 

The area was transformed into a 

farming community and agriculture 

become quite prosperous. One famed 

farmer included Henry Ford founder 

of the “Model T”. The remaining 

stonewalls that bisect the refuge 

are visual reminders of the farming 

history. In 1942, the United States 

Army purchased the property 

from landowners to establish the 

Fort Devens Sudbury Training 

Army bunker

Jan Wright
Annex. During the years of military 

ownership, the land became a storage 

area for ammunition and a training 

location for troops. 

The refuge name was inspired by 

the Assabet River. The famed writer 

Nathaniel Hawthorne once said “A 

more lovely stream than this...has 

never flowed on earth.” Love and 

admiration of the river has existed 

for centuries, and portions of the 

refuge run along sections of the river. 

It provides additional recreation 

opportunities such as fishing and 

paddling.

Although the refuge is located in a 

largely-developed area, it has been 

protected by the Army since 1942. 

That protection has allowed the 

maturation of extensive, structurally 

diverse wetland habitats whose 

ecological integrity is enhanced by 

its surrounding upland forests and 

grasslands. Refuge staff, volunteers, a 

Friends group and local partners are 

working hard to help wildlife in many 

ways.

Native wildlife depends on healthy, 

native plant life. Over the years, many 

non-native invasive plant species 

have made their way into the local 

landscape and have degraded habitat 

value for migratory birds, land 

animals and native plants alike. All 

non-native invasive species, including 

Japanese knotweed, black locust, 

and spotted knapweed are a concern 

at the refuge. These species limit 

the productivity of wildlife habitat. 

Native food sources are critical to 

wildlife survival and overall health.

For example, when birds feed on 

Oriental bittersweet berries, they are 

receiving no nutritional value and no 

fat is being stored. This can make an 

animal more susceptible to disease 

and predation. A balanced, healthy 

diet is just as important for wildlife as 

it is for humans. The refuge has been 

combating the spread of non-native 

invasive plant species through the use 

of herbicide, biological control and 

manual removal. The earlier invasive 

species are detected, the better 

chances of control and eradication. 

People can do their part at home 

by landscaping with native plants, 

properly disposing of any invasives 

from their yards, and by staying on 

refuge trails when visiting so you 

don’t transport seeds from one site to 

another.

Refuge biologists and volunteers 

participate in several national, regional 

and refuge-wide surveys. Surveys 

conducted include breeding bird, 

marshbird, anuran and vernal pools. 

The Assabet Keeping Track team 

is a dedicated group of volunteers 

who monitor mammal activity on 

the refuge throughout the year. 

Information gathered from surveys is 

used by refuge staff to guide habitat 

management on the refuge. 

The Assabet River 

– the inspiration 

for our name

Working for 

Wildlife

Managing for 

Native Species

Baseline wildlife 

surveys

River otter

Students 

removing 

Invasives

USFWS

Susan J. Russo/USFWS
Multiple habitats are found within the 

refuge. Refuge staff are managing 

habitats for birds under specific 

regional and national goals. The 

refuge is in Bird Conservation Region 

30 which prioritizes bird species and 

habitats most in need of conservation. 

We have several of these high 

priority habitat types on the refuge 

including freshwater wetlands, oakpine forest, and shrubland. These 

habitats benefit species such as the 

Eastern towhee, grey catbird, scarlet 

tanager, Baltimore oriole, American 

woodcock, willow flycatcher, and the 

Eastern kingbird. Unfortunately, all 

of these species 

are experiencing 

a population 

decline. Visit 

http://www.

acjv.org/bird_

conservation_

regions.htm for 

more information.

Several vernal pools (high priority 

habitat in Massachusetts) have 

been identified on the refuge. These 

temporary freshwater depressions, 

which hold spring rains and 

snowmelt waters and dry out during 

late summer, are critical breeding 

habitat for amphibian, reptile and 

invertebrate species due to the lack 

of predatory fish. The refuge’s pools 

provide breeding habitat for the bluespotted salamander, wood frog, and 

spotted turtles. 

The Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea 

blandingii) is a medium-sized, 

semi-aquatic freshwater turtle that 

inhabits wetlands in parts of the 

upper Midwest and New England.

The New England population is 

disjunct from the main portion of 

the range. Blanding’s turtles are 

regarded as a species of conservation 

concern in every New England state 

in which they occur. This species is 

listed as threatened in Massachusetts, 

Managing for 

species diversity

Protecting rare 

species

Blanding’s turtle 

research

American 

woodcock on nest Blanding’s turtle

USFWS

Stephanie Koch/USFWS

and the Service is determining if 

federal listing under the Endangered 

Species Act is warranted. 

Blanding’s turtles require large 

landscapes, compared to many other 

turtle species. They require a variety 

of wetland habitats, make frequent 

seasonal overland movements 

between them, and therefore suffer 

mortality not only from direct 

wetland habitat loss, but from upland 

landscape fragmentation as well.

Protection of individual wetland 

sites has been difficult enough, but 

large-scale landscape conservation is 

even more daunting, especially in the 

heavily developed northeastern U.S. 

Two of the largest populations of 

Blanding’s turtles in the northeast 

exist at Oxbow NWR and Great 

Meadows NWR, and biologists 

are partnering with researchers 

to establish another population at 

Assabet River NWR, which is roughly 

equidistant between the other two 

populations. The project involves 

collecting Blanding’s turtle hatchlings 

from Oxbow NWR, individually 

marking them, and then either 

releasing them directly in wetlands at 

the donor site and new site, or raising 

them in captivity for their first year. 

The year-old “head-started” turtles 
Mink Link

WhitePond

Road

TaylorWay

Harry’sWay

OtterAlley

PatrolRoad

TowheeTrail

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0 1 Mile

N

Lake

Boon

Willis Pond

SUDBURYMARLBOROUGH

STATE FOREST MARLBOROUGH

DESERT CONSERVATION 

LAND TOWN OF

SUDBURY

HOP BROOK

MARSH

SUDBURY VALLEY TRUSTEES:

MEMORIAL FOREST

SUDBURY STATE

FOREST

Hudson Road

Assabet River

National Wildlife

Refuge

27

117

62 62

117

27 Elizabeth Brook

Assabet River

White Pond

Pratt's Mill Pond

Voss

Pond

Cuttings

Pond

Taylor Brook

Concord Road

State Road

White Pond Road

Fairbank Road

Sudbury Road

Patrol Road

Petapawag Trail

White Pond Road

MAYNA RD

STOW

HUD SON

SUD BU R Y

(Future)

(Future)

Winterberry Way

Tri-town Trail

Pine Garden

Trail

Hill Trail

Winterberry Way

Puffer Pond Trail

Fisher Loop

Carbary’s Trail

Fisher Loop

Fisher Loop

Kingfisher Trail

Sandbank

Trail

Tebassa

Trail Powerline

Trail

Sweet Fern Trail

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Legend

Canoe Access

Fishing Area

(catch and release)

Parking

Future Visitor Center

Restrooms

Secondary Route

Road/Way (bikes 

allowed*)

Trails (No bikes)

Closed Area

Abandoned Railroad

Trail Intersections

VC

*Portions of roads are 

 paved and unpaved

18
and general public programming, 

a nature store run by our Friends 

group, interactive exhibits, and a 

multi-purpose meeting space which 

may be utilized by conservation 

organizations. 

The refuge is open to hunting, in 

accordance with Massachusetts state 

laws and refuge specific regulations. 

Persons possessing, transporting, 

or carrying firearms on national 

wildlife refuges must comply with 

all provisions of state and local law. 

Persons may only use (discharge) 

firearms in accordance with refuge 

regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and 

specific regulations in 50 CFR Part 

32). Permitted species are white-tailed 

deer, ruffed grouse, gray squirrel, 

rabbit, woodcock and spring turkey. 

All refuge regulations apply and 

all hunters must possess a refuge 

issued permit. Fishing is authorized 

in accordance with state law, but is 

currently restricted to the Barron 

fishing access on Puffer Pond.

are larger and more likely to survive 

into their second year when they are 

released into the wild. To supplement 

the repatriation effort, biologists are 

also trapping and moving juvenile 

turtles from the source population 

at Oxbow NWR, marking and radio 

tagging these juveniles, and tracking 

their movements and habitat choices 

at Assabet River NWR once they are 

released.

Assabet River National Wildlife 

Refuge is a unique place where 

visitors can explore the outdoors and 

view nature in a new light. When 

visiting the refuge, people can engage 

their senses and become a part of 

the environment. It is a place for 

families, individuals, school groups, 

Scouts and naturalists alike. With the 

change of seasons, a visit to the same 

location can be ever-changing and 

something new always awaits you. 

From walks to Puffer Pond and along 

wetlands to light hikes through mixed 

forest habitat, visitors can feel a true 

sense of place and partake in nature 

discovery. 

The opportunities for wildlifedependent recreation flourish at 

the refuge. Wildlife photography, 

observation, and environmental 

education occur throughout the 

year. In addition, staff, volunteers 

and Friends group members offer 

interpretive programming on 

occasion. With 15 miles of trails, 

visitors can explore multiple habitats, 

participate in many recreational 

activities and find their special place 

at the refuge. Bicycling is allowed on 

Patrol Road, Taylor Way, White Pond 

Road, Winterberry Way and Harry’s 

Way. This use has been authorized as 

a means of transportation to facilitate 

wildlife-dependent uses. The refuge 

has a new visitor center which will 

open in 2010. Once open, it will be a 

host site for environmental education 

Enjoying the 

refuge

USFWS

Greg Thompson/USFWS

Hunting & 

Fishing

White-tailed deer
Wild turkey

The refuge is fortunate to have the 

support of The Friends of the Assabet 

River National Wildlife Refuge. This 

dedicated group of local citizens was 

formed in 2000 to support the mission 

of the Service and the purposes of the 

refuge. They encourage individuals 

to get involved in helping to protect 

the refuge’s natural resources, offer 

interpretive programming and are 

active in fundraising. Check them out 

at http://www.farnwr.org.

Our Friends

Wildlife Watching Tips

Dawn and dusk are the best 

times to see wildlife.

During the summer afternoons 

little wildlife is moving.

Observe from the sidelines. 

Leave “abandoned” young 

animals alone. A parent is 

probably close by waiting for 

you to leave. Don’t offer snacks; 

your lunch could disrupt wild 

digestive systems.

Try sitting quietly in one good 

location. Let wildlife get used 

to your presence. Many animals 

that have hidden will reappear 

once they think you are gone. 

Walk quietly in designated 

areas, being aware of sounds and 

smells. Often you will hear more 

than you will see.

Teach children quiet observation. 

Other wildlife watchers will 

appreciate your consideration.

Look for animal signs. Tracks, 

scat, feathers, and nests left 

behind often tell interesting 

stories.

Red-winged

blackbird

Donna Dewhurst/USFWS USFWS
A Few Simple 

Rules

n The refuge is open to the public 

for many wildlife-dependent 

recreational uses, such as wildlife 

observation and photography, 

interpretive programming, 

environmental education, hunting, 

and fishing. Wildlife observation 

in the winter can be done on 

cross-country skis and snowshoes. 

Bicycles are authorized on 

Winterberry Way, Harry’s Way, 

Taylor Way, Patrol Road and White 

Pond Road only.

n Motorized vehicles are restricted 

to parking areas and Winterberry 

Way.

n Help us protect wildlife by 

observing the posted speed limit of 

15 mph. This applies to all vehicles 

and bicycles.

n Access to the refuge is permitted 

from sunrise to sunset.

n Hunting is authorized through 

a refuge permit system. Please 

inquire at visitor center or the 

refuge complex headquarters office 

at 73 Weir Hill Road in Sudbury for 

details.

n Although pets are often a travel 

companion, pets are not allowed on 

the refuge.

n Horses are not permitted on the 

refuge.

n Camping, fires, and swimming are 

prohibited.

n Rollerblading, kites, frisbees and 

other activities such as this are not 

allowed.

n Canoe and kayak access is limited 

to the open waters of Puffer Pond. 

Access to the pond is located on the 

Sandbank Trail only.

n Fishing is only authorized at 

Puffer Pond from the pier at the 

Barron Fishing Access Site. No 

live bait allowed. Ice fishing is also 

not allowed. Fishing is catch and 

release only (due to high mercury 

content of fish in the pond).

n The disturbance, destruction, or 

removal of wildlife and vegetation 

are prohibited.

n Visitors are required to stay 

on designated paths and trails. 

Military personnel still have access 

to certain areas, so please be 

cautious of their presence.

Yellow warbler

Donna Dewhurst/USFWS
Getting There

Leave No Trace

Hudson Road (Main Gate) Access: 

From Route 2, take Exit 42 (Route 

27) south towards Acton and through 

Maynard. Go straight through 

lights at junction with Route 117 in 

Maynard, following Route 27 south 

until you see Fairbank Road on the 

right. Take Fairbank Road to the end. 

Turn right off of Fairbank Road onto 

Hudson Road. Follow for about one 

mile, and main refuge entrance is on 

the right. This route is approximately 

eight miles. 

From Hudson/Stow area, follow 

Route 62 East to Main Street in 

Hudson, onto State Road in Stow, 

which turns into Hudson Road, 

Sudbury. Main refuge entrance is 

on left after Department of Fire 

Services headquarters. 

If using any navigation system, it 

is advised to use 680 Hudson Rd, 

Sudbury, MA.

White Pond Road (North Gate) 

Access: From Route 2, take Exit 

42 (Route 27) south towards Acton 

and through Maynard. Turn right 

at lights that junction with Route 

117 in Maynard and follow 117 west. 

Follow straight through lights that 

junction with Route 62, and follow 

into Stow. Turn left onto White Pond 

Road. Follow to end. This route is 

approximately 6.5 miles.

A parking area on Old Marlboro Road 

in Maynard may be constructed in 

2011.

The refuge is a “Carry In, Carry Out” 

site. Please remember: this is YOUR 

national wildlife refuge! Respect the 

wildlife, the land and other visitors, so 

that the experience you enjoy can be 

passed on to future generations. 

Remember to take only pictures and 

leave only footprints.

Spotted salamander

Vernal pool

John D. Wilson/USFWS

Stephanie Koch/USFWS