Through donations, Mass Audubon's Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is now within $200,000 of its $1.12 million goal to fund the program barn expansion project.

 

The capital campaign was created to help ensure the sanctuary's aging facilities are brought up to date, with a focus on accessibility and related amenities.

 

The centerpiece will be an energy-efficient addition to the 18th-century program barn that includes modern restrooms, expanded lobby area, expansive decking, and a small kitchen. The expansion willallow Pleasant Valley to increase capacity and reach.

 

Construction is slated to begin this week.

 

Because of the pandemic, people are noticing the natural world right outside their

windows and more are venturing forth to explore natural amenities such as Pleasant Valley.

 

The project is designed to help meet this opportunity, not only at the sanctuary but across the

Berkshires community at large, through expanded programs, nature-based education, camps, all of which the new barn space will support.

 

Mass Audubon President David O'Neill noted that while Pleasant Valley has been a longtime popular destination for birders and other outdoors lovers, the sanctuary can also serve as a 21st-century 'base camp" for contemporary programming and outreach into the region's varied and diverse communities.

 

'And that's why the Opening Doors to Nature campaign is so timely and important and worthy of support," O'Neill said. 'This project will both increase capacity and accessibility at the sanctuary while allowing staff to more fully realize Pleasant Valley's potential as a resource within the greater Berkshires."

 

To support the campaign or to learn more about the sanctuary click here.