Wildlife Sanctuary

The Amherst College Wildlife Sanctuary includes approximately 500 acres in a diverse collection of open fields (both actively maintained and unmanaged), wetlands, flood plain woods, river, upland woods, plantation pines, and ponds—and is an important place for both recreation and research.

Open Fields

The variety of open fields located south and southeast of the main campus are important and scenic parts of the landscape and of the ecological diversity of the Sanctuary. Some are used through rental agreements for hay production, others are mowed to keep open as wildlife habitat, and several are unmanaged.

Forested Areas

Forested areas within the Sanctuary include red pine plantations, white pine stands, areas of swamp hardwoods, flood plain hardwoods along the Fort River, and upland hardwoods. Large specimen white oaks and white pines are present in the Eastern Wildlife Sanctuary south of College Street.

Ponds, Streams and Wetlands

Principal water resources in the Sanctuary include:

• Fort River and a major tributary system coming into the Fort River from the north
• Fearing Brook and its small tributaries
• Two ponds
• Sections of wet meadow in the main South Pleasant Street field and near South East Street
• Wet shrub-filled swales near Mill Lane and the main South Pleasant Street field
• Vernal pools in the area near the Physical Plant south of College Street and in the Wildlife Sanctuary area west of South East Street
• Swamp forest near South East Street

Sanctuary Trails Interactive Tours

In 2021, the sanctuary trails were revitalized as part of the College's Bicentennial. The campus map includes tours of each of the Sanctuary trails that you can follow along as you walk. Access each tour below; there are also QR codes on trail signage that will link to each tour.