AVIS - Homepage

About

Founded in 1894 as The Andover Village Improvement Society, AVIS is one of the oldest land conservation organizations in the country. AVIS manages more than 30 reservations comprising more than 1,300 acres in the Town of Andover. It relies on a corps of volunteers to lead the organization and to provide maintenance of its recreational trails and stewardship for the land and its wildlife habitat. Donations from community members and grant sources provide the funds to acquire, protect and manage its reservations.

AVIS Photo Competition Winners Showcase

Please join us on Thursday March 5 from 6:30 - 8:00PM for our Opening Night Photo Exhibition celebration presenting 33 winning images from our 2025 Photo Competition. The Exhibit is located at the Robb Center, 30 Whittier Court in Andover. The Exhibit will run from March 2 - March 31, 2026.

Our Mission

AVIS is a non-profit land trust dedicated to acquiring open space in Andover, Massachusetts and conserving it into perpetuity. AVIS manages its reservations to protect native habitat and provide opportunities for the public to experience, enjoy and learn about nature through passive recreation.

Founded in 1894, AVIS (article) is one of the oldest conservation organizations in the country

AVIS Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that AVIS reservations are located on the ancestral land of the Pennacook, Pawtucket and other Indigenous people, which was their home for more than 10,000 years. We honor the land we manage and all the Indigenous people who were here before, are here now, and will be here in the future. We recognize that we are all guests on this land and are mindful of our impact. With this acknowledgement, we commit to continuously care for this land, using sustainable practices to protect the environment and provide stewardship for the ecology and habitat of AVIS reservations.

Goldsmith Woodlands is open to the public; click here for details.

Reservation Maps Blog Visit our reservations virtually

Upcoming Events

Event List Calendar

Time to Renew your membership!

The importance of Your Membership (blog)
Please help us reduce our mailing and printing costs by renewing your membership online before the renewal notices are mailed in March.

Goldsmith Woodlands Project

Help AVIS build its first All Persons Trail. Read about it on the blog.

Click here for Goldsmith updates.

Join • Renew • Donate

Invasive Plant identification and Removal Sessions

Eco team focuses on identifying and removing invasive plants and replanting native species. These hands-on sessions use manual methods such as hand pulling, weed wrenches, hand saws, and buckthorn baggies. Middle-schoolers (with an adult) and up are welcome. Eco Team is a fun way to learn about AVIS reservations and explore the trails, and it is great way to fulfill school community service hours. Sign up for Eco Team emails through this link and receive up-to-date notifications on time and locations. More information is available on the blog.

Blog Entries

Goldsmith Woodlands All Persons Trail Project

AVIS Eco Team

Life Beneath the Ice and Snow: Turtles in Winter

Reflections on a Rewarding and Fun-filled Year

Garlic Mustard 101: What it is and what to do with it

My Goldilocks Moment While Searching for a Trail

About 1,200 acres of AVIS reservations are open to all for hiking, birding, and cross country skiing.

Explore Reservations

Volunteer wardens are responsible for the care and oversight of each reservation and they are often neighbors.

Contact a Warden

Hiking trips and other community events are scheduled by various groups throughout the year.

View Events

Donating

AVIS relies on the generosity of our members and the public to acquire new land for preservation and maintain the AVIS reservations for the public enjoyment.

Join or Donate

Volunteering

There are volunteer opportunities for people to get involved in reservation maintenance, event planning, technology improvement, and more.

Explore Opportunities