Massachusetts Urban Conservancy
@massconservancy.bsky.social
The Massachusetts Urban Conservancy builds public awareness of the need for biodiversity.
Just a cardinal enjoying some snow. (Photo: Chris Chow for Unsplash)
#winterbird #cardinal #nativebirds #snowday
#winterbird #cardinal #nativebirds #snowday
December 24, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Just a cardinal enjoying some snow. (Photo: Chris Chow for Unsplash)
#winterbird #cardinal #nativebirds #snowday
#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
#wintersolstice #solstice2025 #holidayseason
December 21, 2025 at 3:02 PM
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
#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
#hiking #biking #mountgreylock #taconicmountains
December 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM
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
#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
#wildlifeconservation #massachusetts #endangeredspecies #marthasvineyard
December 4, 2025 at 2:05 PM
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
#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
#blackfriday #buynothingday #consumerism #makedo
November 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
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
#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
#turkey #antiquephotographs #blackandwhitephoto #thanksgivingday
November 27, 2025 at 2:10 PM
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
#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
#waldenpond #wachusett #saugus #northandover #stateforest #takeahike
November 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
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
#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
#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