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Management

Installing boundary signs on the refuge. Credit: Marijke Holtrop

A variety of wetland habitat types are protected at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. Beavers play an important role in the formation and succession of some of these wetlands, and their activities are welcomed, but may be managed by use of exclosures and perforated pipe or other means to prevent damage to other habitat or refuge facilities.

Some areas of wetland on the refuge are experiencing invasion by non-native species, including the common reed (Phragmites). The refuge has been entirely mapped to determine the presence and location of invasive species, and control efforts, conducted with the assistance of volunteers, are underway for most invasive species.. Open fields on the refuge are maintained in that condition to benefit a number of species of birds that require this habitat type by mowing every three to five years.

Managing for species diversity

Blanding's Turtles - Nesting Turtle Habitat at Assabet River Refuge (pdf - 260KB)- NEW!

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, oak-pine 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 the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture site for more information.

Refuge staff are currently drafting a Habitat Management Plan which will be available to the public upon its completion.

SuAsCo Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) Partnership

The Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rivers (SuAsCo) watershed Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) is a group of federal, state and local land owners and land managers committed to controlling invasive species within the SuAsCo watershed. We signed our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in May 2009 and currently have 43 participating organizations. We have established a steering committee, administrative subcommittee, early detection and control subcommittee, and an education and outreach subcommittee. To learn more about this cooperative effort please click here. Please contact Amber Carr if you have any questions. amber_carr@fws.gov 978-443-4661 x33.