Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary

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For three long summers, Mass Audubon’s Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Hampden has been closed to visitors, the unfortunate result of both a fire and flood that destroyed the nature center and parking lot. Mass Audubon has been busily working behind the scenes to prepare this 356-acre sanctuary for visitors again. As part of that preparation, a diverse group of 60 volunteers of all ages including young children, scouts, staff, and Connecticut River Valley Sanctuary Committee members, first-time and longtime volunteers fanned out across the sanctuary to help with numerous projects as part of a day that was billed as part work day and part sneak preview.

Laughing Brook was a metaphorical hive of activity as groups of volunteers used shovels, loppers, pruners, saws, wheelbarrows, garden carts, brute strength, and sheer determination to clear invasive bittersweet, honeysuckle, autumn olive, and Japanese barberry along the main trail and around the edge of the pond, opening up new vistas and improving habitat around the pond. In the process, they created an enormous 15- by 20-foot brush pile that will provide shelter for wildlife.   Apple trees and overgrown shrubs were pruned at the sanctuary entrance, leaves were raked, and the hillside area around the parking lots was beautified. During the morning, groups took time out for quick plant and wildlife identification lessons from sanctuary committee members and staff. 

Local volunteers came from Hampden and nearby towns, and others traveled from as far away as Cambridge and Connecticut. Many had enjoyed Laughing Brook in their youth and now returned as adults with their children to share this special property with the next generation of conservationists.  Everyone was very excited that Laughing Brook will once again be open for visitors to explore.  Lisa Ogoley, a volunteer from Hampden, who hauled more than 30 wheelbarrows full of brush and leaves to the brush pile said that she had volunteered at Laughing Brook years ago when she was in high school. “I’m excited it’s coming back,” said Lisa, “and that everyone’s pulling together to make it beautiful. That’s so wonderful to see.”

A new entrance sign was assembled and put in place by a group of volunteers led by Steven Walker and George Koeber. The group excavated postholes, assembled the signs, and carefully made sure they were level. The new sign, which shows the sanctuary’s trails, immediately became a magnet for volunteers and visitors looking to trace the route of their travels.

Volunteers took the hour and half trek out to the newly renamed Burgess Trail, Mort and Helen Bates Trail, and the beautiful Neff Trail to trim back encroaching shrubbery.

The final group worked to assemble bluebird nest boxes under a tent.  Hammers, nails, and drills make quick work of pre-cut boards as boxes were built to be placed in the field. In the middle of this effort, a bluebird touched down in the meadow just outside the tent as if to say “thank you” to this crew of volunteers.

After a morning of hard work, volunteers enjoyed lunch followed by a natural history walk led by Naturalist Patti Steinman. While a sharp-shinned hawk soared overhead, Sanctuary Director Mary Shanley-Koeber cut a cake that depicted Laughing Brook and read, “Thank you Volunteers” and noted the importance of the day for improving wildlife habitat and building a sense of community. Cindy Rubin from Hampden departed saying, “It was fun to get together with friends and really make a difference.”

Work for Wildlife at Laughing Brook was a great success, thanks to all the volunteers who came and helped out. As the group piled back into their cars at the end of a satisfying day, Laughing Brook seemed to be smiling in the midday sunshine. Several new folks offered to come back and volunteer over the coming months. And everyone agreed with Sanctuary Committee Chair Dan Russell that a full parking lot never looked better! 

Statewide Volunteer Day at Laughing Brook was supported in part by a generous grant from the Massachusetts Service Alliance.