Late April is the time for spring ephemerals - native wildflowers that start blooming this time of year, adding a pop of color and cheer to the landscape! Keep an eye out for marsh marigold, wood anemone and wild columbine, among many others! (Photos: mass.gov)
#wildflowers #nativeplants
Keep your eyes open for this early sign of spring in Massachusetts! Nymphalis antiopa, the mourning cloak butterfly, is one native butterfly species you can spot before the trees bud!
#NewEngland #SpringEquinox #Butterfly
An amphibian migration? Yes! March is when the weather warms up enough that amphibians like these little guys leave their winter dens and start dispersing. Some are heading for breeding sites, others are moving along to their warmer-weather habitats.
#salamander #woodfrog #springpeeper
March is when you'll start to see more activity from black bears, as they emerge from their winter dens and start to look for more food. As fuzzy as they look, resist the urge to pet your new "friend."
#WhyFriendShaped #BlackBear #MarchWeather
It's World Wildlife Day! Here are three species that are endangered or threatened in Massachusetts due to habitat loss and other factors. (All photos from mass.gov)
#bogturtle #salamander #shortearedowl #endangeredspecies
Feb. 23-27 is National Invasive Species Week. At MUC, we're all about promoting biodiversity of native plants and animals, and reducing harmful invasives. Here are four species wreaking havoc around Mass.
#spottedlanternfly #japaneseknotweed #biodiversity #invasivespeciesweek
Spotted in Boston this month: Holarctic snow buntings! These winter visitors spend their summers in the arctic, then head south to (comparatively) warmer areas in the winter. Have you seen any this year?
#snowbunting #winterbird #wintervisitors
We love this shot of an American witch hazel plant in the snow, taken in Ashfield after the January snowstorm. (Photo: jtdavis05, iNaturalist)
#witchhazel #naturalremedies #nativeplants
The cold may be making us feel unproductive, but February is prime nesting season for the Great Horned Owl! Keep your eyes peeled and you just may get to see one of these gorgeous raptors!
#greathornedowl #raptors #birdsofprey
We've just heard the news: Six more weeks of winter! Maybe we should just let the groundhog sleep next year...
#GroundhogDay #MassachusettsWinter
These are just some of the bird species iNaturalist users observed in Massachusetts during January. Not pictured: quite a few Eastern Bluebirds!
#Massachusettswinter #snowbird #winterbird
Biodiversity loss means erasing our past, and jeopardizing our future. See graphic artist Jennifer Rau's depiction of this in our beautiful new infographic. https://loom.ly/-SpVnAA
#muc #savetheplanet #wildlifeconservation
Just some red foxes in the snow. 😍
(Photo: P. Ramesh, Unsplash)
#redfox #winteranimals #nativespecies
Spotted on iNaturalist - these tracks in the snow last month! Who's the culprit? (Please no one say the seal, please...)
#grayseal #squirrel #raccoon #duck
Just a cardinal enjoying some snow. (Photo: Chris Chow for Unsplash)
#winterbird #cardinal #nativebirds #snowday
The shortest day of the year marks the returning of the light. Happy winter solstice to all of you, from all of us as at the Massachusetts Urban Conservancy. (Photo: Mark Olsen for Unsplash)
#wintersolstice #solstice2025 #holidayseason
December 11 is International Mountain Day! The weather may be frightful, but here's a look back at warmer times, with MUC founder Eric on Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts.
#hiking #biking #mountgreylock #taconicmountains
On World Wildlife Conservation Day, we thought we'd share a collage of some of our favorite Massachusetts wildlife shots, from common to the less-seen species. (That seal pup is too cute.)
#wildlifeconservation #massachusetts #endangeredspecies #marthasvineyard
It's national Buy Nothing Day - and also the biggest shopping day of the year in U.S. Even if you open your wallet today, it's still a good time to take stock of what you already have and what you truly need. Say no to over-consumption!
#blackfriday #buynothingday #consumerism #makedo
Just a boy and his turkey. What better photo to use for today than this fantastic shot from the Library of Congress? Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate, and keep an eye out for wild turkeys wandering around the state!
#turkey #antiquephotographs #blackandwhitephoto #thanksgivingday
It's national Take a Hike Day! All of these great shots were taken around Massachusetts, which is home to some truly excellent hiking and nature trails. Do you recognize any of these places?
#waldenpond #wachusett #saugus #northandover #stateforest #takeahike
Eating is a full-time job for eastern gray squirrels in November! These furry friends don't hibernate, so they work hard to store food (both inside and out!) before it becomes more scarce. And that guy in the lower right dares you to shame him for his walnut habit.
#squirrels
It's National Redhead Day in the U.S., and Mass. is home to many ginger-hued animals, including foxes, pileated and downy woodpeckers, squirrels and cardinals. Many species remain in-state over the winter, so keep your eyes open!
#foxes #woodpeckers #squirrels #nativespecies #cardinals
55 cities and towns in Massachusetts are holding municipal elections today. Is yours one of them? Find out and go participate in our democratic process. It's especially important on a local level!
#getoutandvote #localelection
Having a jack o'lantern on your porch in November feels a little silly. But it's also pretty silly to throw them in the garbage. Compost these gourds, or, if you can, leave them someplace safe for wildlife to eat. Your trash is their treasure!
#jackolantern #compost #pumpkins
MUC's first project was full-scale lawn replacement project earlier this year, focusing on native (and some non-native pollinator-friendly) plants. Pollinators are already enjoying the benefits from these flowers!
#lawnreplacement #gogreen #wildflowers
What's an opportunistic omnivore? It's a highly adaptable animal that has learned to benefit from a variety of food sources. In other words, secure your trash cans!
#trashday #opossum #raccoon #crow #coyote #blackbear #trashpanda
When you think "baby animals," you probably think of springtime, but snapping turtles hatch in the late summer or early fall! Don't pick 'em up. This is one baby that does NOT want to be cuddled.
#snappingturtle #turtlelife #autumn
Many birds fly south for the winter, but some migrate north to winter in Massachusetts, including the harlequin duck. Find them along the coast, especially on rocky shores, as the weather gets cold.
#ducklife #birdwatcher #massaudubon #harlequinduck #justducky #winterbird
"Ugh, it's time to rake AGAIN!" - maybe not!
Keep your paths clear, but leave fall foliage on the ground, when you can. You can always get rid of any uncomposted leaves in the spring.
#leavetheleaves #compost #savetheearth