Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1995 to preserve and protect natural resources associated with the Waquoit Bay area for the protection of waterfowl and protection of wildlife. Located in the towns of Mashpee and Falmouth, this refuge will total 5,871 acres when complete, only a small percentage of which will be owned by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Currently, 335 acres are in FWS ownership. Managed through a unique partnership among nine Federal, State and private conservation groups, this Cape Cod refuge preserves thousands of acres of magnificent salt marshes, cranberry bogs, Atlantic white cedar swamps, freshwater marshes, and a vernal pool.

Though the Refuge is closed to all public access, environmental education and interpretive programs are offered occasionally by the Refuge Friends group (on and off site). Please contact Friends of Mashpee NWR for a complete map; there are public use areas on several of the partner's properties. The Mashpee Refuge is spread throughout the Towns of Mashpee and Falmouth, Massachusetts. There are many entry points on multiple landowner sites within the refuge. Below is the primary location that is best suited for public entry:

Coming north from the Bourne Bridge take MacArthur Blvd (Route 28) south to Route 151 (7.0 miles) toward Mashpee (right). Go east on 151 for 6.6 miles to you reach the Mashpee rotary. At the rotary take Great Neck road south( second exit) and go straight for 4.1 miles to Jehu Pond Conservation area parking lot on your right.