Massachusetts Urban Conservancy

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

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

They say that every year...

#chipmunk #torpor #hibernation #winteriscoming #planahead

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

Thank you, Jane Goodall.

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

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