Massachusetts Urban Conservancy
@massconservancy.bsky.social
The Massachusetts Urban Conservancy builds public awareness of the need for biodiversity.
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
#squirrels
November 11, 2025 at 2:07 PM
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
#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
#foxes #woodpeckers #squirrels #nativespecies #cardinals
November 5, 2025 at 2:06 PM
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
#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
#getoutandvote #localelection
November 4, 2025 at 2:05 PM
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
#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
#jackolantern #compost #pumpkins
November 3, 2025 at 4:20 PM
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
#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
#lawnreplacement #gogreen #wildflowers
October 29, 2025 at 1:06 PM
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
#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
#trashday #opossum #raccoon #crow #coyote #blackbear #trashpanda
October 27, 2025 at 1:06 PM
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
#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
#snappingturtle #turtlelife #autumn
October 23, 2025 at 1:06 PM
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
#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
#ducklife #birdwatcher #massaudubon #harlequinduck #justducky #winterbird
October 20, 2025 at 1:06 PM
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
#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
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
October 15, 2025 at 1:06 PM
"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
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
#frogs #amphibians #brumation #hibernation #NewEnglandwinter
October 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
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
#frogs #amphibians #brumation #hibernation #NewEnglandwinter
October 9, 2025 at 1:08 PM
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
#leavetheleaves #leafpeeper #lightningbug
October 8, 2025 at 1:07 PM
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
#leavetheleaves #leafpeeper #lightningbug
Thank you, Jane Goodall.
October 1, 2025 at 8:05 PM
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
#chandelier #sia #pileatedwoodpecker #birdwatcher #birdsjustwannahavefun #cyndilauper
October 1, 2025 at 2:06 PM
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
#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
#americanbeaver #damit
September 30, 2025 at 1:05 PM
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
#americanbeaver #damit
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
#biodiversity #pollinators #backtoschool
September 29, 2025 at 1:06 PM
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
#biodiversity #pollinators #backtoschool
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
#chipmunk #foodstorage #newengland #autumn
September 26, 2025 at 1:06 PM
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
#chipmunk #foodstorage #newengland #autumn
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
#inaturalist #barnowl #owl #getoutside
September 25, 2025 at 6:03 PM
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
#inaturalist #barnowl #owl #getoutside
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
(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
September 24, 2025 at 1:06 PM
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
(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
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
#pollinators #bayberry #massachusettsplants #erosion #feedthebirds
September 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
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
#pollinators #bayberry #massachusettsplants #erosion #feedthebirds
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
#outdoors #outdooreducation #stem
September 22, 2025 at 1:06 PM
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
#outdoors #outdooreducation #stem
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
#winterbirds #snowbird #cardinal #bluejay #chickadee #juncobird
September 19, 2025 at 6:02 PM
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
#winterbirds #snowbird #cardinal #bluejay #chickadee #juncobird
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
#caterpillars #nativeplants #mawildlifev
September 19, 2025 at 1:06 PM
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
#caterpillars #nativeplants #mawildlifev
Well?? Don't keep him waiting! We bet he likes Candy Crush. (Photo: Larry Ferreira for Unsplash)
#squirrelsjustwannahavefun #easterngraysquirrel #massachusetts #newbedford #squirrel
#squirrelsjustwannahavefun #easterngraysquirrel #massachusetts #newbedford #squirrel
September 18, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Well?? Don't keep him waiting! We bet he likes Candy Crush. (Photo: Larry Ferreira for Unsplash)
#squirrelsjustwannahavefun #easterngraysquirrel #massachusetts #newbedford #squirrel
#squirrelsjustwannahavefun #easterngraysquirrel #massachusetts #newbedford #squirrel