Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · 51m

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 · 6d

Thank you, Jane Goodall.

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · 6d

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 · 8d

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 · 9d

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 · 12d

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 · 12d

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 · 14d

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 · 14d

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 · 15d

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 · 16d

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 · 18d

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 · 19d

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 · 19d

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 · 20d

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 · 20d

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 · 20d

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 · 21d

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

Remember monarch butterflies? You used to see them flitting everywhere all summer long, but numbers are dwindling. Help us restore butterfly populations.

#monarchbutterfly #pollinators #microhabitats

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

Flowers like these black-eyed Susans may not bloom when the weather turns cold, but their leftover seeds will be doing the important job of feeding birds throughout the winter. The more native beneficial plant species, the better!

#coneflower #blackeyedsusan #winterbird #wildflowers

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

For MUC, back to school means back to nature. Please help us provide and protect nature resources for local students.

#environmentaljustice #backtoschool #environmentaleducation #schooldays

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

Imagine your property with no birds, no butterflies, no bees to pollinate flowers and plants. Not a pretty site. Help us build and restore pollinator habitats. Your future depends on it!

#birds #wildlife #masswildlife #pollinators

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

Autumn is approaching! Fallen leaves provide protection for many important species that overwinter in Massachusetts. Before you grab your rake and lawn bags, consider which areas of your yard and gardens you can leave untouched.

#leavetheleaves #newenglandwinter #leafpeeping #autumn

Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · 27d

The NIH: “Nature-specific learning…should be incorporated into every child’s school experience.” That is what MUC is aiming for. We want to build a better future for all of us, starting now.

#nature #natureeducation #forestbathing #science

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Massachusetts Urban Conservancy @massconservancy.bsky.social · 28d

We can't help it, the idea of a green, outdoor educational space full of biodiversity, pollinators and native plants and animals is just so much better than low-density sprawl.

#distractedboyfriend #naturalhabitat #knowyourmeme

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