Quabbin Reservoir Watershed Education Programs

The Quabbin Interpretive Services program operates the Quabbin Visitor Center, offering education programs, teacher workshops, and  general information about DCR's water supply resources. Three full time staff members are available to assist with visitor information and services. An automated telephone system - [phone] - provides 24 hour access to current information on fishing, hunting, programs, rules and regulations, and public access.

Click here for Quabbin Visitor Center Programs Winter 2020.

The Quabbin Visitor Center

Quabbin Administration Building and Visitor Center

The Quabbin Visitor Center is located on the first floor of the DCR Quabbin Administration Building in Belchertown and is open seven days a week on a year-round basis except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and the weekend between Christmas and New Years. Regular Visitor Center hours of operation are 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Center features:

• Exhibits
• Brochures
• Books
• Videos about Quabbin management and history

Inside the Quabbin Visitor Center

Maps, books, trail guides and related materials are available for purchase through Visitor Center staff. Vital Records for the disincorporated towns of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich and Prescott are available on microfiche for genealogical research; please call ahead to schedule an appointment.

Click here for Quabbin Visitor Center Programs Winter 2020.

Click here to read the Downstream Newsletter: The Quabbin Visitor Center.

Quabbin Visitor Center
485 Ware Road (Route 9)
Belchertown, MA 01007
[phone]

Quabbin School Programs

Education programs are offered for school groups at the Quabbin Visitor Center on a variety of topics from Quabbin history to the bald eagle restoration program. Programs are offered on a first come-first serve basis. Prior arrangements are required for group programs. These arrangements can be made by calling the Visitor Center - [phone].

Groups interested in just visiting the Visitor Center without a pre-arranged education program are encouraged to notify the Center prior to their visit. Please use the Group Access to Quabbin Park Request Form. You will not be charged for the permit, but the application should be submitted two weeks before the visit date.

Classroom programs and field trips are also offered to schools and groups in the watershed area and to communities which receive water from Quabbin. Topics range from water quality, water awareness, watersheds, natural history and Quabbin area history.

• Educational Information Overview  
• Quabbin Park Information for Schools  
• Dana Common Information for Schools  
• Gate 35 Information for Schools  

Additional Resources

Quabbin Park and Reservoir Programs for Schools and Community Groups

Teacher Workshops

The Quabbin Interpretive staff offers teacher workshops on:

• Water Quality Testing
• Watersheds
• Project WET
• Project WILD
• Project Learning Tree
• Quabbin History
• Other topics

Things to do on your own

A variety of non-staffed educational opportunities exist for groups visiting Quabbin including the Forest Stewardship Trail, eagle watching at Enfield Lookout, and 22 miles of walking routes with a descriptive guide (available for purchase at the Visitor Center).

DCR staff is also available to consult with teachers planning Quabbin or water related programs in their school, or for those interested in a group visit to Quabbin. If you are interested, you can contact the Interpretive Services at [phone].