Claire Birtz Wildlife Sanctuary

The trailhead is located on Tipton Rock Road, in Southbridge.  

Print a Trail Map

Access to Morse Pond for non-motorized boating is located off of North Woodstock Road (Route 169- south of Tipton Rock Road intersection and just north of the state line.)

Have you found the Birtz Bug Geocache?

Morse Pond as seen from The Claire Birtz Wildlife Sanctuary 

THANKS!

To volunteers from the Bement Camp & Conference Center in Charlton for helping to build our trailhead and loop trail on July 18th at the Claire Birtz Wildlife Sanctuary in Southbridge. And thanks to Opacum members (pictured from left to right): John Wojdak, Pete Slosek, Larry Lowenthal, Tom Ayau and Scott Benoit, as well as Pat Morrison and Evelyn Petrelli for their hard work and committed volunteerism creating trails and the trailhead at the Birtz Sanctuary!

     The Claire Birtz Wildlife Sanctuary is 116 acres of New England countryside, consisting of upland hardwood forest, a red maple swamp, vernal pools, and perhaps its most striking feature, forty acre Morse Pond with its associated five acre freshwater marsh. Tucked away on the west side of Route 169, it is a green jewel that will forever provide beautiful views of the pond and hillside from this Designated Scenic Byway at the Southbridge, Massachusetts and Woodstock, Connecticut state line. 

     The Trailhead is located on Tipton Rock Road.  The trails wind along the shore of Morse Pond, through stands of beech trees, along stone walls, and provide views of beautiful rock falls. A small parking area for launching non-motorized boats onto Morse Pond is on Route 169 near the state line.. 

     Ms. Claire J. Birtz was an art teacher in the Town of Southbridge school system for many years. Upon her death in February 2000, at the age of 92,  Ms. Birtz bequeathed a gift to Southbridge for beautification of the town. One way her gift could be used was to acquire land in order to protect habitat for wildlife. Ms. Birtz  supported various conservation organizations during her lifetime. Through a partnership between Opacum Land Trust, The Trustees of the Claire Birtz Estate and The Town of Southbridge, The Claire Birtz Wildlife Sanctuary exemplifies her passion for wildlife and nature. In keeping with Ms. Birtz’ wishes, the property is open to the public for activities that bring people closer to nature, such as bird-watching, painting, & drawing, and kayaking.     

      This land is a headwater for the Woodstock and Putnam, Connecticut watershed systems. It is truly a sanctuary and provides permanent habitat for rare and common species of animals and plants. It is here for all to enjoy. Help us to keep it clean, follow the rules and regulations, and report any disturbances to Opacum Land Trust.   

This photo of Ms. Birtz is from the 1957 Edition of The Crimson & Gray, the yearbook from Southbridge’s Mary E. Wells High School. Her influence in the school had a lasting effect; Opacum has received several notes from former students, near and far, who remember her kind ways and artful expression.

     Honor Ms. Birtz by making a difference in your community.  Please earmark your contribution for The Claire Birtz Wildlife Sanctuary and mail it to:

Opacum Land Trust, Inc.
POB 233
Sturbridge, MA 01566

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