Author | Lightnews

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · 2d

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

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Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · 4d

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

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Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · 8d

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

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Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · 11d

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

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · 16d

"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

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · 18d

If you see any frogs this week, it will probably be the last time until the weather warms up: These guys are preparing to either hibernate or brumate depending on their species. See you in the spring, guys!

#frogs #amphibians #brumation #hibernation #NewEnglandwinter

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Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · 22d

They say that every year...

#chipmunk #torpor #hibernation #winteriscoming #planahead

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · 23d

Remember fireflies (aka lightning bugs)? There were so many a couple decades ago. Not so much now. The reason? Firefly larvae spend the vast majority of their lives in fallen leaves. Just another reminder to Leave the Leaves this fall!

#leavetheleaves #leafpeeper #lightningbug

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · 29d

Thank you, Jane Goodall.

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Oct 1

Birds just want to have fun - and this pileated woodpecker looks like he's having a great time taking this suet out for a spin. We hope to see plenty of them in Massachusetts!

#chandelier #sia #pileatedwoodpecker #birdwatcher #birdsjustwannahavefun #cyndilauper

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Sep 30

This beaver means business! American beavers change the landscape with their dams, creating new wetlands and improving habitat and water quality. Not a bad gig!

#americanbeaver #damit

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Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Sep 29

Students are back in school. With your help, we can teach them about nature, biodiversity and pollinators. Donate to MUC today and help us reach our goal!

#biodiversity #pollinators #backtoschool

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Sep 26

Not just a cute face: The eastern chipmunk benefits the ecosystem! Burrows help aerate the soil. Hoarding food helps disperse important seeds. (They're also food for larger animals, but it seemed mean to put that on the to-do list.)

#chipmunk #foodstorage #newengland #autumn

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Sep 25

The northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus) is the smallest owl we have in Massachusetts - adults come in at just 7-8" in height! This one was spotted in Northfield in June.

#inaturalist #barnowl #owl #getoutside

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Sep 24

Marmota monax grows weary of your constant riddles.

(Fun fact: Woodchucks, aka groundhogs, do not throw wood around, but they do move an incredible amount of soil as they dig their burrows.)

#woodchuck #howmuchwoodcouldawoodchuckchuck

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Sep 23

BOLO: Moose! Though low in numbers, moose are present in Massachusetts, mostly in the western and central parts of the state. This time of year is breeding season, so keep an eye out! (Photo: Richard Lee for Unsplash)

#moose #wildlife

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Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Sep 23

Northern bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) is another native shrub that packs big environmental benefits. It's semi-evergreen and dense, providing shelter. Plus, its roots enrich the soil and help control erosion.

#pollinators #bayberry #massachusettsplants #erosion #feedthebirds

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Sep 22

Millions of urban K-12 students are losing access to outdoor educational experiences. Help us build back nature in school districts, one plot of land at a time.

#outdoors #outdooreducation #stem

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Sep 19

Many birds migrate south for the winter, but not all! Keep an eye out for cardinals, blue jays, black-capped chickadees, dark-eyed juncos and more as the temperatures drop and the snow flies.

#winterbirds #snowbird #cardinal #bluejay #chickadee #juncobird

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Sep 19

With your help, we could turn lots like this one into thriving mini forests and pollinator habitats. Our cities need more green! Join us!

#caterpillars #nativeplants #mawildlifev

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Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Sep 18

Well?? Don't keep him waiting! We bet he likes Candy Crush. (Photo: Larry Ferreira for Unsplash)

#squirrelsjustwannahavefun #easterngraysquirrel #massachusetts #newbedford #squirrel

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Sep 18

Have you seen one of these guys around lately? The pileated woodpecker is native to Massachusetts, but needs mature forests with big trees to thrive. We're hoping to make this place a little more hospitable to this striking species!

#birdwatcher #pileatedwoodpecker #natureiscool

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Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Sep 17

Buttonbush, aka Cephalanthus occidentalis, is one of Massachusetts' ecological superheroes! This native shrub offers food and shelter for many animals and is a pollinator's dream. Now's a great time to plant some, too!

#buttonbush #wetlands #pollinators #wildflowers #ashrubbery

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Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Sep 17

We ❤️ a messy queen! The banded tussock moth caterpillar eats milkweed leaves, becoming toxic to predators. They keep milkweed growth in check and turn into pollinator moths. Can't beat that!

#moths #Massachusetts #getoutside #greatoutdoors #pollinators

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Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · Sep 16

As monarchs continue their annual migration south, they need the right fuel for the journey. Massachusetts is home to many species of milkweed whose flowers provide the right nectar to get the job done.

#monarchmigration #monarchbutterflies #newenglandfall #milkweed

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