Here in the Field Conservation department, we know that real conservation can only be practiced with boots on the ground. That’s why we’re so excited to welcome volunteers from our Conservation Society to help us with labor-intensive field projects, as … Continued
On a sunny early October day, ZNE’s Field Conservation staff conducted a unique survey at an urban park in Boston. Department Director Bryan Windmiller and Field Conservationist John Berkholtz visited a spring-fed pond where the state-Threatened threespine stickleback fish makes its home. This small fish, about 1.5 to 2.5 in long, has three dorsal spines (hence the name) as well as two pelvic spines. This species … Continued
It’s back-to-school season, and not just for kids! This year, we are raising over 100 threatened Blanding’s, wood, and spotted turtles in more than 30 Massachusetts schools. Classes give these hatchlings a “head start”, helping them to grow bigger and stronger before releasing them … Continued
…but not the kind you’d think! Regular readers may recall our project from earlier this year to improve nesting and foraging habitat for wood turtles at one of our regular field sites along Nashoba Brook in Acton, MA. The first-pass mowing and scarification were a great start, but … Continued
One of the toughest things about working with wild animals is often finding them in the first place! Turtles are no exception – all of our native turtle species make use of camouflage to protect themselves from predators, which also makes it … Continued