Browse by Topics
Wildlife
This list provides links to a range of sites, all or most of which are owned by organizations other than the University of Massachusetts Extension, owner of the site you are now reading. These links have been selected with the intention of providing high-quality, non-biased information suitable for the general public. However, UMass Extension offers and suggests no guarantees as to the accuracy or usefulness of the information provided by other organizations and websites.
Massachusetts state agencies
Massachusetts
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
Environmental initiatives; offices within Environmental Affairs;
and departments within the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs,
including the Department of Environmental Protection, Department
of Environmental Management (with information on State Forests
and Parks), and the Department of Food and Agriculture.
Massachusetts
Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement
Website of the Massachusetts state agency responsible for the
management and conservation of the state's fisheries and wildlife,
including rare and endangered species.
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
MassWildlife
Living with wildlife information series; lists of wildlife and
plants in Massachusetts; sick or injured wildlife? wildlife problems
in your backyard?; hunting and fishing information, with annual
schedule of hunting and fishing seasons and licensing information,
including buying a license on-line.
Recreational Fishing Regulations
State
Environmental Laws Affecting Massachusetts Agriculture
Laws and regulations affecting water quality, groundwater, air
quality, solid waste and hazardous waste, pesticides and chemigation,
protection of wildlife, enforcement of state environmental laws,
and other Massachusetts statutes including those on open burning,
noise nuisance, and the drought program.
Other resources
Critter
Crossings: Linking Habitats and Reducing Roadkill
Of interest to anyone interested in protecting wildlife and their
habitats. You can read about successful low- or no-cost strategies
being used to counteract roadkill and habitat loss and fragmentation.
Read about Amherst’s salamander crossing or the Big Dig’s
fish-startle system, which diverted fish from blasting sites.
Field
Notes
Follow the seasons with the aid of a naturalist's focus and expertise.
UMass Extension Educator Laurie Sanders hosts a series of WFCR-Public
Radio Morning Edition segments exploring significant natural areas,
special plants and animals, and "natural happenings"
in the Connecticut River watershed. Site contains over 100 audio
files with links for more information on the topics. Recent topics
include: black bears; bats; water conservation and river health;
and Rufie, the Rufous Hummingbird, who mistakes Agawam for the
Yucatan (with photo).
Fish,
Wildlife, and Biodiversity Publications available at the UMass
Extension Bookstore
Links to on-line publications and information on ordering other
publications covering a wide variety of natural resource and environmental
conservation topics.
National
Biological Information Infrastructure: Massachusetts Resources
Links to federal resources; state/county/city resources; educational
institution resources; and non-governmental resources.
Natureworks:
Massachusetts Resources
Links to: national parks in Massachusetts; national wildlife refuges;
nature centers and reserves; state parks; aquariums; botanical
gardens; zoos; museums; agencies and organizations; and other
resources including the Interactive Guide to Massachusetts Snakes.
Pet
Columns, Continuing Education-Public Service/Extension, College
of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois
The Pet Columns site provides authoritative general information
for animal owners. The Wildlife section also has information on
West Nile Disease, rabies, and llamas.
Terrestrial
Mammals of Massachusetts
A table compiled by Westfield State College professor D.A. Hoagland,
detailing the common name, species name, status, and distribution
of Massachusetts mammals.
Help! My neighbors are WILD! Co-existing with wildlife
Beavers
in Massachusetts
This article is excerpted from Beavers in Massachusetts by Scott Jackson and Thomas Decker, University of Massachusetts
Extension, and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
It contains information on beaver description, distribution, food,
life cycle, and dam and lodge building. Color photographs and
illustrations. The complete book can be accessed at http://www.umass.edu/umext/nrec/pdf_files/beavers.pdf.
Canada
Geese in the Atlantic Flyway
Information from the National Biological Service and Massachusetts
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (University of Massachusetts)
on the population changes and migration changes of Canada Geese.
References included.
Global
Warming: A Serious Threat to New England's Wildlife
National Wildlife Federation information on climate change and
wildlife.
Living
With Wildlife
Squirrels in your attic? Raccoons in your chimney? The Massachusetts
Living With Wildlife program, a project of the Massachusetts Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, can help you resolve
your human-wildlife conflicts in a humane, long-term, and cost-effective
manner.
Massachusetts
Turtle Rescue Inc.
Massachusetts Turtle Rescue provides rescue and rehabilitation
for all species of turtles and tortoises. Site includes information
of urgent care; disease and transmission; health issues; adoption;
and tortoise nutrition.
Problem
Animal Control - Do You Have a Wildlife Problem?
Information and methods which can help prevent or curb problems
with wildlife. You may be able to solve your own situation. There
are lists of Problem Animal Control (PAC) contacts, listed by
state district.
Snakes
of Massachusetts
You can use this guide in several ways. If you are trying to identify
a snake you have seen (or are seeing), go through the series of
questions to identify the snake. If you know the name of the snake
you want to find information on, click on the name of the snake.
A printed copy of this booklet can be ordered from the UMass
Extension Bookstore.
West
Nile Virus
"It's no longer exotic. It's part of our lifestyle now."
(Dr. Robert McLean, Director of the U.S. Geological Survey's National
Wildlife Health Center) Latest news; human health and the WNV;
wildlife and the WNV; state and regional information; and frequently
asked questions.
When
Coyotes Become a Nuisance
This fact sheet examines the difficult task of protecting sheep
from coyotes. Recommendations are based on research on guard dogs
done at Hampshire College's New England Farm Center, in Amherst,
Massachusetts, and on the experiences of Nova Scotia sheep producers.
Wildlife
Likes the Suburbs, Too
South Coast (Mass.) experiences with wildlife - fox, coyote, woodchuck,
skunk, and raccoon. While some wildlife is disappearing with development,
some thrive in suburbia. Information on problem animal control
for the Division of Fish and Wildlife and town animal control
officers.
Invasive species
Invasive
Plants of New England
Questions, comments, and replies made by attendees at the New
England Wild Flower Society's Symposium: Invasive Plants: Challenges,
Options, and Methods of Control, held November 6, 1999. Site contains
color photographs of the invasive plants.
invasivespecies.gov
The invasivespecies.gov web site is the gateway to federal efforts
concerning invasive species, including West Nile Virus. You can
learn about the impacts of invasive species and the federal government's
response, as well as read select species profiles and find links
to agencies and organizations dealing with invasive species issues.
Invasivespecies.gov is also the website for the National Invasive
Species Council, which coordinates federal responses to the problem.
Purple
Loosestrife
Natural history and suggestions for control from the National
Biological Service and the N.Y. Cooperative Fish and Wildlife
Research Unit at Cornell. References are included.
Beneficial Organisms
Beneficial Insect and Spiders
University of Maine Cooperative Extension site with photographs
and explanations for homeowner integrated pest management.
Beneficial
Insects
Virginia Cooperative Extension site with photographs
and explanations.
Beneficial Insects
University of Idaho site that highlights insects that parasitize
or prey on insects that feed on garden or ornamental plants.
Beneficial
Organisms
University of Florida site showing parasites,
predators, and pathogens of insects.
Birds
Bird
Checklists of the United States
Information on the birds of Massachusetts and links to all the
National Wildlife Refuge areas in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts
Audubon Society
Massachusetts Audubon Society is the largest conservation organization
in New England, concentrating its efforts on protecting the nature
of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. Site gives information
about and directions to their sanctuaries.
Northeast
Utilities eaglecam
Watch the eagles hatch their new eggs!
The
Virtual Birder
The Virtual Birder has Massachusetts rare bird alerts; links to
Massachusetts bird clubs and on-line Massachusetts birding-related
resources; and information on publications useful for Massachusetts
birders.
Butterflies
Butterflies
of Massachusetts
U.S. Geological Survey information on Massachusetts butterflies
with color photographs and textual species accounts.
Cultivate a Butterfly Garden
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension site suggests suitable plants
and which caterpillars can become garden-damaging pests.
Fish
Anadromous
Fish in Massachusetts
Information on Atlantic salmon fry stocking; anadromous fish passage
counts; other salmon-related links; and information on volunteering
for fry stocking.
Coastal topics
Cape
Cod Museum of Natural History
This site has information on many aspects of Cape Cod natural
history, including nature news and information on museum exhibits.
International
Canadian
Wildlife Federation
Since 1962, CWF has advocated the protection of Canada's wild
species and spaces. The federation is Canada's largest non-profit,
non-governmental conservation organization. Website offers many
sections, including: issues and action; how your everyday actions
can help or harm the oceans; opportunities for young people to
learn more about wildlife and natural resources; welcoming wildlife
into your community - plus how to plan your garden to meet both
your needs and those of wild things! Site text is available in
French and English.
Hinterland
Who’s Who
Sponsored by the Canadian Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Federation,
this site is a fascinating and reliable source of information
on North American wildlife. In-depth descriptions of wildlife,
discussions of issues, actions you can take to help wildlife,
and educational materials for teachers and group leaders.
