The sanctuary contains 184 acres (0.74 km2) of mixed cultural grasslands, red maple swamps, oak-pine woodland, and access to the river.

The North River Wildlife Sanctuary came to Mass Audubon as a gift of the Killam and Rodgers families in 1977.

The dominant trees of the Woodland Loop are members of the black oak family, towering white pines and American beech.

This ecological management plan is keeping this cultural grassland, a vanishing habitat in the east, open in Massachusetts.

The red maple swamp off the main field shows signs of use during the North River's shipbuilding heyday (1690–1870), specifically multiple mature shoots sprouting from a single ancient tree trunk.

The Mass Audubon South Shore Sanctuaries staff runs regular nature programming at the site year round.

The North River and its valley provided an important travel route, agricultural area and shipbuilding center well into the late 19th century.

The land that makes up the North River Wildlife Sanctuary changed hands many times during the first three centuries of settlement.

Captain Little purchased land from his father-in-law, Amos Rogers, which included the Clift Farm of 80 acres (320,000 m2), for 110 pounds.

Little may have built the mansion house that was located north of the present Mass Audubon nature center.

Arabella's two daughters, Elizabeth and Constance, moved into the main house with their mother and stepfather, while her son, Izaak, remained in Nova Scotia.

In 1923, the main house, now the nature center of the North River Wildlife Sanctuary, and the cottage were renovated to their present configurations.

The main house now serves as the administration and management headquarters for the Mass Audubon South Shore Sanctuaries’ educational and advocacy activities on the South Shore of Boston, housing offices, a library, a program room and gift shop.

Thanks to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the North River Wildlife Sanctuary offers a wide variety of bird sightings.