Field Sketching at Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary

In our quest for new places to explore, GNSI-NE has chosen Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary for a late August field sketching outing. Please consider carpooling with other members and let’s go have some artistic fun in the great outdoors!

Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Rowley, MA has 1.7 miles of trails through 226 acres encompassing spectacular coastal woodlands, salt marshes, tidal creeks, and salt pannes, and supports an astonishing diversity of wildlife. The sanctuary, managed in collaboration with the Essex County Greenbelt, is part of the Great Marsh ecosystem. The area has been designated an Important Bird Area and Area of Critical Environmental Concern.

– taken from Mass Audubon website

The comments section has been turned on in case people want to coordinate carpooling, or meeting times for lunch or to share the work you have created. Please feel free to drop a comment and get the plans in motion for this exciting day of nature observation.

Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary Highlights

• Five well-marked trails through magnificent coastal woodlands to several viewpoints that offer panoramas of the Great Marsh.
• Habitats that favor many breeding bird species, such as Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Saltmarsh Sparrows, as well as migratory birds like Least Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers.
• Granite benches at the end of Professor Chandler’s Long Walk and on the Kestrel Trail, providing wonderful places to sit, contemplate nature, or have a snack.
• Sawyer’s Island, a one-mile hike from the parking area, has spectacular vistas from every direction and a view of an active Osprey nesting platform.
• Programs for all ages are held through Joppa Flats Education Center.

Two sanctuaries to visit in Rowley!

Alternatively, you can also visit Nelson Island, which is immediately next to Rough Meadows, but you must pay attention to the tides as this area is affected by the high tide, make sure to check the tide schedule and plan accordingly.

Be prepared to be outside!

• The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, so if you want to arrive before 10 or stay after 4 to avoid the midday heat, that’s perfectly fine.
• We recommend wearing sunscreen and a hat and bringing a windbreaker as the area is wide open and you will be exposed to the sun and wind.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes.
• Have appropriate insect repellent and apply it if you expect to get into any vegetation that may harbor ticks.
• Bring portable seating for extended sessions of sketching or painting in one place.
• Bring a bag lunch and plenty of water with you.
• Download a PDF trail map to have with you while you hike.