Stories in Massachusetts

An illustration shows birds, insects and leaves swirling around a tree trunk.

The Future Forest: The Appalachians face multiple threats. Scientists are working to boost their adaptability.

The Appalachian landscape is a diverse, steadfast refuge for wildlife, but the world around it is changing. Scientists are researching how to make these woods more adaptable—and resilient—than ever.

View of the Massachusetts State House with its gold dome from across the street on a blue sky sunny day.

Policy Priorities in Massachusetts

Policy is an essential tool to protect the lands, waters and people of Massachusetts. Our policy team advances initiatives that are equitable, nonpartisan, ambitious and grounded in science.

Belle Isle Marsh in the foreground with Boston Logan Airport and the Boston skyline in the background.

Equitably Funding Community-Led Climate Action

Alongside communities, we're putting equity front and center as Massachusetts shapes the policies, programs and funding for tackling climate change and adapting to its effects.

Sunlight filters through the high, towering branches of dead tall Eastern hemlock in a New York forest.

Trees in Peril

This visual story shows the threats facing North America's ash, elm, hemlock and beech trees and the urgent efforts to save them from invasive pests and pathogens.

Rich Couse, a seasonal stewardship staff member, kneels on a grassy dune along a beach.

More Hands in the Field

Taking care of our nature preserves can be a lot of work, from checking on the land to maintenance to studying plants and animals. That’s why staff who support us seasonally are so important.

Canal seen from above: On one side dozens of houses sit right against the water, on the other green marsh grasses grow

On the Edge

Rising sea levels and strong storms are hurting coastal communities. Here's how some of the most densely populated areas in the U.S. are fighting back.

A coastal waterway surrounded by grassy plants and sand, with some land in the background.

Experimental Solutions to Reduce Nitrogen Pollution on Cape Cod

Too much nitrogen in our waterways threatens our drinking water, economy, recreation opportunities and human health. New pilot programs are working with nature to change that.

Three women stand in a bog filled with shrubbery; two are holding and observing turtles, and the other holds an iPad.

The Scientists Behind Decades of Bog Turtle Research

Since the 1980s, scientists have been researching endangered bog turtles and their unique habitats in Western Massachusetts to best understand how we can preserve them into the future.

Aerial view of a living shoreline project with logs and bags of oyster shell set into a bank.

Case Studies: Living Shorelines in New England

Take an in-depth look at five living shorelines projects throughout New England and the step-by-step process that goes into creating these nature-based solutions.

Marsh grass plants poke through a fiber netting along a shoreline as part of a living shoreline.

New England Living Shorelines

Learn about five New England projects that are models for nature-based methods of protecting our vulnerable coasts and coastal communities as we deal with the effects of a changing climate.

A wind turbine is pictured at left and sits on top of a wide open ocean, with a small patch of land with green grass in view. Clouds are seen on a blue sky.

Turbine Reefs: Designing Offshore Wind Power to Improve Habitat for Marine Life

The Nature Conservancy, working with other ocean experts, shows that opportunities for new reefs and clean energy go hand in hand.

Three people stand in a dirt yard in front of a circle of newly planted shrubs.

Green Jobs and Community Leadership in Boston's Codman Square

Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation explores green infrastructure's potential to address environmental challenges and provide jobs for the community.

Aerial view of a river running through a forested landscape.

Connecting Lands for Climate Resilience

TNC data shows which landscapes will support plants and animals as the climate changes. We're working to protect them.

Close up of a large gray Atlantic halibut on the deck of a boat with a tracking tag in its fin.

Researching a Remarkable Halibut Recovery

There are some big unknowns that need to be addressed to increase chances for Atlantic halibut's recovery. TNC, fishermen and researchers are pursuing answers.

Illustrated animals travel across a photo of mountains and forests.

Road Map to Refuge

As climate change forces species to move, new science is identifying habitats that—if protected—can help them survive.

Bog Turtle

At 4.5 inches long, the bog turtle is North America's smallest turtle. TNC researchers have been studying this federally threatened turtle since 1969. See what they've learned.

7-minute read time

A woman in a pink top with the ocean in the background.

A Conversation on Ocean Protection with Vikki Spruill

The New England Aquarium’s president and CEO loves the ocean and believes that together, we can protect it from the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss.

A man stands on the deck of a fishing boat.

A Fisherman on the Front Lines of Climate Change

In his two decades fishing off Cape Cod, Kurt Martin has witnessed shifts in climate and fish availability, signaling how fishermen must adapt to the changing environment.

A woman kayaks down the Mill River toward the camera.

On the River to Recovery

At one point, the Mill River was declared "dead." In 2018, alewife ran the river again for the first time in two centuries and have increased in numbers since.

Several women gather around an indoor table and examine a map on the table.

Towns Take Action

Nearly all of Massachusetts' cities and towns are participating in the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program to strengthen their response to climate-change-exacerbated challenges.

4-minute read time

A collage of photos of women from TNC in Massachusetts in their roles in the field, attending or leading events, and more.

The Women Behind Our Conservation

On the ground and in the office, these are some of the inspiring women driving our science-based conservation in Massachusetts.

Man standing on a mountain behind a "Mt Washburn" sign

Behind the Scenes: Weather and Climate with Eric Fisher

The chief meteorologist for WBZ TV in Boston has loved weather since he was a kid. He talked with TNC about forecasting weather, the changing climate, the relationship between the two, and meteorologists’ role being a voice on climate change.

A woman ties a wildlife camera to a tree in the forest.

Data Science for Wildlife Conservation

How do you spot an animal in a blurry and dark camera trap image? Ask the computer to do it. UMass Amherst students are collaborating with TNC and partners to create a new tool that speeds up the processing of wildlife camera photos.

A volunteer stands in a sandplain grassland holding a tray of blazingstar seedlings, another volunteer crouches to plant one in the ground.

Restoring Imperiled Grasslands on Martha's Vineyard

The Island is one of the last remaining strongholds of sandplain grasslands. TNC and partners are bringing back habitats and species once more common on the Island.

TNC and Athleta teamed up in 2019 to "Race for the Planet," holding events at local stores, like this one in Boston. Trenni Kusnierek is pictured at the center.

Talking Nature and Climate with Trenni Kusnierek

NBC sports reporter and anchor Trenni Kusnierek wants to be a part of the climate solution and encourages everyone to both enjoy nature and find opportunities to drive change.

Staff and trustees from The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts visit lawmakers at the U.S. Capitol every June to advocate for strong climate and conservation policy.

Voices for Nature: Climate and Conservation Policy

TNC in Massachusetts helps shape strong policy frameworks to support conservation and climate action at both the state and federal levels. Policy is a huge lever in driving change and connecting people and nature.

A volunteer plants marsh grass along a shoreline.

Harnessing Nature's Designs

The Nature Conservancy and partners are learning how nature can reduce coastal erosion

A close up of a pile of brown and white striped oyster shells.

Diving Deep on Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration

To safeguard the health of coastal environments, TNC is both restoring natural shellfish reefs and working directly with shellfish farmers.

A woman stands in the forest, looking up at the trees.

Using Nature to Reduce Carbon Pollution

Forests, wetlands and farms play an important role in tackling climate change by storing large amounts of carbon. Not to mention the other benefits they provide for people and nature.

Tree planting in Boston's Codman Square.

Partnering in Boston's Codman Square

Q&A with Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation’s David Queeley

A fisherman on a New England commercial fishing vessel checks his nets as a fixed video camera records the work.

Video Technology and Commercial Fishing in New England

Electronic monitoring provides fishermen more flexibility and managers with better data for making sound fisheries management decisions.

A bobcat passes through a tunnel under I-90 in MA.

How Does the Bobcat Cross the Mass Pike

TNC in Massachusetts is leading an effort to assess and map culverts under Interstate 90 to identify those that can serve as corridors for wildlife to pass under the road.

A woman stands among bright green plants in a field with lush trees in the background.

A Remarkable Restoration of the Stebbins Wildlife Refuge

TNC and partners save and restore the original floodplain forest ecosystem at Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge along the Connecticut River in Massachusetts.

Moose On The Move

Animal tracking helps refine habitat protection goals.

A small waterfall near an old red mill building.

Unleashing Rivers

New England’s waterways—the most heavily dammed in the United States—are making a comeback.

The Conservancy’s Katie Kennedy shows off the eastern elliptio, a native freshwater mussel.

Measuring Our Mussels

Freshwater mussels help keep rivers clean by filtering pollutants out of the water. They can also be an indicator of a healthy river, but unfortunately, many freshwater mussels are threatened or endangered. The Conservancy's Katie Kennedy is looking into how these species can be revived.

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