Military Families Paddle Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
A day of paddling, discovery, and connection kicks off a new partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Home Base.
Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge in Massachusetts earns its name from the river that shapes it. The Nashua River constantly curves and meanders, carving out small, stand-alone ponds, also known as oxbows.
On Saturday, August 1, 2026, that same winding water carried a group of Massachusetts military service members, veterans, and their families on a day of paddling and fun on the river. For some, it was their first paddle in years, and for others, it was their first time ever. This outdoor adventure was made possible by a new partnership with National Park Trust, Home Base, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), focused on connecting Massachusetts military families to their local national wildlife refuges.
The morning began at the Bill Ashe Visitor Facility, where families signed in and were greeted by staff from National Park Trust and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including Grace Bottitta-Williamson, USFWS Refuge Manager for the Eastern Massachusetts Wildlife Refuge Complex.
From there, the group headed down to the river for a canoe tour led by local guides, winding through the oxbows and fully immersing themselves in the Refuge’s beautiful landscape. Two hours later, the group’s previous conversations had turned from nervous first strokes to planning more trips, with several participants talking about picking up paddling again or buying a kayak of their own to explore more of Massachusetts’ river systems.
In addition to the natural beauty of the terrain, the refuge also held a fitting historical tie-in: it was once part of the U.S. Army’s Fort Devens before the Department of Defense donated the land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1974, connecting the group of military families even more deeply to the land’s roots and local history.
In total, 43 participants across 12 families paddled that day, after demand was so strong that organizers added extra spots and a second paddle group to accommodate everyone who wanted to join. This outing marks the first of two events planned by National Park Trust and USFWS to engage Massachusetts’ military community at national wildlife refuges. Stay tuned for our next outing set for 2027!
About Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge offers families a refreshing place to explore nature together, with accessible wildlife-dependent activities like birding, year-round wildlife watching, paddling the calm Nashua River, using the ADA-accessible kayak launch, nature photography, fishing, and hunting.
Guided by a mission to protect migratory birds and threatened species, the Refuge provides natural spaces to relax and reconnect outdoors.
You can also get involved by volunteering for events, supporting habitat restoration, or helping with trail maintenance — hands-on opportunities that strengthen connections to nature and to each other.
Learn more about Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge.
What are National Park Trust’s Military Family Programs?
National Park Trust is proud to partner with organizations like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Home Base to provide meaningful outlets for military communities and to honor their service by connecting them to the public lands they’ve helped protect. Through outings like this one, we help military families strengthen community connections while experiencing the physical and mental benefits of spending time in parks, public lands, and waters across the country.
In 2025 alone, we partnered with military installations and military-focused nonprofits to connect over 1,200 individuals from 350 families through 50 outdoor outings nationwide.
Learn more about our Military Family Programs.
How can you support National Park Trust’s Military Family Programs?
At National Park Trust, we believe parks have the power to bring people together. Your support helps create meaningful outdoor experiences that inspire wellness, strengthen community, and give military families opportunities to make lasting memories together. Learn about ways to support our mission.
About National Park Trust
National Park Trust is an independent, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has protected national park land since 1983, acquiring missing pieces of our national parks and benefiting 58 national park sites nationwide. Our mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow.
Our youth education and family initiatives — Buddy Bison School Programs, College Ambassador Program, and Military Family Programs, along with National Kids to Parks Day — connect tens of thousands of people to the outdoors each year.
We believe public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed, and preserved by all, for current and future generations. Learn more at parktrust.org.
